Edited 11 Apr 2019 08:22, 2 years ago, edited by simstrain

Assuming that we could have made our own XPT replacements, can I ask why we wouldn't consider keeping the design of the XPT as it is? Ignoring its age, what is wrong with the actual design? [Yes, I understand that Comeng is not around and the original manufacturer in the UK may have moved on to other things now].

Maybe with a few streamlined changes in the original design, we could have had more of the same style of train except new, re-engineered power cars, with a different donk, and made new passenger carriages. We could have had a real home grown solution.

Look at what we did with the PH 101 Silver City Comet rail motor - drop in 6 GM Diesel motors when spare parts from the original engines dried up. When I saw these first hand at the Sulphide Street Museum in Broken Hill, I thought wow!

BTW - Who does GSR go to when they want additional carriages manufactured for the IP or the Ghan?

DMU's are cheaper to operate and maintain. They use less fuel and are actually faster then the XPT because of faster acceleration and braking and have better handling. Because they don't have power cars at each end the train is shorter and can accelerate faster through all the steep inclines.

The dubbo service is being done by a 3 car Xplorer today 11/4/2019. It will actually be faster then the XPT because of these capabilities. The new fleet could possibly allow for 2 x 3 car services a day instead of only 1 x 4-5 car XPT service.

As I have said before, don't expect the Endeavours to be replaced on the hunter, southern highlands or the bomaderry services. Do expect them however to take over the Bathurst bullet and Goulburn services that go all the way in to Central station.

Edited 11 Apr 2019 08:13, 2 years ago, edited by simstrain

Assuming that we could have made our own XPT replacements, can I ask why we wouldn't consider keeping the design of the XPT as it is? Ignoring its age, what is wrong with the actual design? [Yes, I understand that Comeng is not around and the original manufacturer in the UK may have moved on to other things now].

Maybe with a few streamlined changes in the original design, we could have had more of the same style of train except new, re-engineered power cars, with a different donk, and made new passenger carriages. We could have had a real home grown solution.

Look at what we did with the PH 101 Silver City Comet rail motor - drop in 6 GM Diesel motors when spare parts from the original engines dried up. When I saw these first hand at the Sulphide Street Museum in Broken Hill, I thought wow!

BTW - Who does GSR go to when they want additional carriages manufactured for the IP or the Ghan?

DMU's are cheaper to operate and maintain. They use less fuel and are actually faster the XPT because of faster acceleration and braking and have better handling. Because they don't have power cars at each end the train is shorter and can accelerate faster through all the steep inclines. The dubbo service is being done by a 3 car Xplorer today 11/4/2019. It will actually be faster then the XPT because of these capabilities. The new fleet could possibly allow for 2 x 3 car services a day instead of only 1 x 4-5 car XPT service.

As I have said before, don't expect the Endeavours to be replaced on the hunter, southern highlands or the bomaderry services. Do expect them however to take over the Bathurst bullet and Goulburn services that go all the way in to Central station.