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Variable gauge, so that it can drive into ARS and use the Ararat Line
Tilt train, so that it can run at greater cant deficiency through the hills
Diesel power
Spain has similar requirements to the above, so let's look there. They have the Talgo 250, which looks like the perfect candidate for a better Overland.
Yes, I remember this. I would prefer they bit the bullet and standardised, electrified and grade separated the line between Adelaide and Melbourne and turned it into a high speed line with speeds of 200mph (300kph or so). No need for variable gauge and diesel. Very expensive but quick and great for the environment and...sooo satisfying.
Cheers
Confucius say: Dumb man climb tree to get cherry, wise man spread limbs.
The train also has no USB ports, and minimal powerpoints at the end of each carriage by the doors (lucky I stocked up on powerbanks). The train is also painfully slow (especially the Ararat-North Shore leg), with an average speed of just 85km/h. Tuesday I had to take a couple of V/Line V'Locities, with comfier seats, easy access to drinking water on board, and peak speed of 160 km/h.
It's slightly faster to take two trains to Adelaide and the services are timed so that you can do this:
Take VLocity from Melbourne to Ararat and then the Overland from Ararat to Adelaide.
It seems pointless, but the (direct) Ararat line is still broad gauge and the Overland takes the circuitous standard gauge route. Hopefully one day the Ararat line will be converted to standard gauge!
Ah,the gauge issue still rearing its ugly head after 150 years.
They would need to change the departure time of the Overland as Adelaide Railway Station is almost at capacity in peak hour. Or do that when the CBD underground link is in operation.
They would need to change the departure time of the Overland as Adelaide Railway Station is almost at capacity in peak hour. Or do that when the CBD underground link is in operation.
There’s no hope getting The Overland or any regional trains into ARS until the Gawler-Seaford underground link has been built. Will free up a fair amount of capacity.
The other thing about a twice daily Overland is that the trains would be shorter and could fit in ARS without extending the platforms. Currently, interstate trains are too long to fit in ARS.
There's also the question of how ticketing would work for the Overland at ARS. They'd need a separate entrance to the platforms to the suburban trains, since surely having a Metrocard wouldn't be a requirement for riding the Overland.
I don't think this is too difficult, they could remove some of the suburban station barriers, put the Overland ticket checker there and then run barriers between the Overland platform and suburban trains.
They would need to change the departure time of the Overland as Adelaide Railway Station is almost at capacity in peak hour. Or do that when the CBD underground link is in operation.
Even the platforms for the Belair line? It's low frequency, so maybe they can slot in the Overland between Belair trains.
They would need to change the departure time of the Overland as Adelaide Railway Station is almost at capacity in peak hour. Or do that when the CBD underground link is in operation.
Even the platforms for the Belair line? It's low frequency, so maybe they can slot in the Overland between Belair trains.
Well, the Belair Line runs at a 15 minute frequency during peak, and the platforms that handle the Belair Line also hold Seaford a line services during peak hour. They make use of platforms 1-4 which are all electrified.
can't see Adelaide Metro agreeing to have the Overland or any other regional train come into ARS, it's their precious territory, I think the State Government would have to construct the Metro City Loop. At present the currrent Government are fixated with roads although the Hove level Crossing is in the planning and development stages,
can't see Adelaide Metro agreeing to have the Overland or any other regional train come into ARS, it's their precious territory, I think the State Government would have to construct the Metro City Loop. At present the currrent Government are fixated with roads although the Hove level Crossing is in the planning and development stages,
There’s no room at ARS for additional services. An underground rail link like Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel will be necessary to decrease the number of Gawler and Seaford layovers and free up space at ARS before any new services are added.
I’m glad that level crossings are now getting some attention though, long overdue.
can't see Adelaide Metro agreeing to have the Overland or any other regional train come into ARS, it's their precious territory, I think the State Government would have to construct the Metro City Loop. At present the currrent Government are fixated with roads although the Hove level Crossing is in the planning and development stages,
There’s no room at ARS for additional services. An underground rail link like Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel will be necessary to decrease the number of Gawler and Seaford layovers and free up space at ARS before any new services are added.
I’m glad that level crossings are now getting some attention though, long overdue.
The thing with level crossings, is that until all of the major ones are removed, it only benefits car users. The upper limit to frequency on the rail network is level crossings. If they close every 5 minutes for 2 minutes, then motorists complain. We can't run high frequency trains until they are removed.
can't see Adelaide Metro agreeing to have the Overland or any other regional train come into ARS, it's their precious territory, I think the State Government would have to construct the Metro City Loop. At present the currrent Government are fixated with roads although the Hove level Crossing is in the planning and development stages,
There’s no room at ARS for additional services. An underground rail link like Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel will be necessary to decrease the number of Gawler and Seaford layovers and free up space at ARS before any new services are added.
I’m glad that level crossings are now getting some attention though, long overdue.
The thing with level crossings, is that until all of the major ones are removed, it only benefits car users. The upper limit to frequency on the rail network is level crossings. If they close every 5 minutes for 2 minutes, then motorists complain. We can't run high frequency trains until they are removed.
Oaklands is probably an exception to this - the station, its access and its surrounds are better for it. However, Dwyer Road Reserve remains a wasteland, and metal gates remain locked adjacent the park.
Jury is still out on Bowden, but that judgement can come when development of the area is complete.
Ovingham will be a good test. Based on how the Gawler Line Electrification Project is unfolding, a redeveloped station isn't looking too promising, and I haven't seen it mentioned as part of the level crossing removal either.
Park Terrace in Salisbury will be an interesting challenge. The sooner the Northern Connector freight line is constructed, the better. The line forms a significant barrier to the suburbs along it.
