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Railway progress into Darwin



 
 
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  #1  
Old September 14th, 2003, 03:08 PM
PhilD
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Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin

Went down to see track laying cross Elizabeth River bridge, just on edge of
Palmerston, this afternoon. Interesting to watch, but didn't get to see
ballast laying, so must go and have another look tomorrow.

Looks likely to finish track laying itself within a fortnight, many months
ahead of schedule.

From the lengths of rail being laid, already welded together, it should be a
much quieter trip than I remember from the old Ghan.

Phil


  #2  
Old September 15th, 2003, 12:23 PM
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin

"PhilD" wrote in message ...
Went down to see track laying cross Elizabeth River bridge, just on edge of
Palmerston, this afternoon. Interesting to watch, but didn't get to see
ballast laying, so must go and have another look tomorrow.

Looks likely to finish track laying itself within a fortnight, many months
ahead of schedule.

From the lengths of rail being laid, already welded together, it should be a
much quieter trip than I remember from the old Ghan.

Phil


Phil
I lived in Darwin for quite awhile in the 60's and 70's, what happened
to the track that ran south to Larrimah, I believe it was ripped up
about 20 years ago. Was it the wrong gauge or something.
Cheers Ed
  #3  
Old September 15th, 2003, 02:18 PM
PhilD
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin


wrote in message
om...
"PhilD" wrote in message

...
Went down to see track laying cross Elizabeth River bridge, just on edge

of
Palmerston, this afternoon. Interesting to watch, but didn't get to see
ballast laying, so must go and have another look tomorrow.

Looks likely to finish track laying itself within a fortnight, many

months
ahead of schedule.

From the lengths of rail being laid, already welded together, it should

be a
much quieter trip than I remember from the old Ghan.

Phil


Phil
I lived in Darwin for quite awhile in the 60's and 70's, what happened
to the track that ran south to Larrimah, I believe it was ripped up
about 20 years ago. Was it the wrong gauge or something.
Cheers Ed

Ripped up in 1976.
http://www.aarc.com.au/aarc/info/history.html

It was narrow gauge, 3'6". The track was not really suitable for fast
freight usage, more like the old Ghan from Marree to Alice, SLOW. I don't
remember what the gauge was, but the track was quite winding in places and
cut back and forth across the Stuart Hwy. Some bridges were subject to being
cut in the wet season. As the Stuart Hwy was upgraded, there was no way that
it could be justified changing to and from the road and rail at such a short
distance from Darwin. I seem to remember that it took about 12 hours from
Larrimah to Darwin, but going by road was at least half that. Added to that
was the extra time to change the freight from one to another as well. Even
if the old line had stayed in operation longer, it would have had to been
realigned anyway.

Amazingly they have kept the old Ferguson River rail bridge, but with some
upgrading, and I'd love to see the first full freight train cross that, but
from a safe distance. I remember using it when the Stuart Hwy was cut a
number of times.

The great pity of it coming to an end is that our stupid Australian
governments can't just continue on and build in the other missing links of
Tennant Ck to Mt Isa and from Katherine down the west coast.

Phil


  #4  
Old September 15th, 2003, 10:00 PM
Geoff Lillico
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin


"PhilD" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
om...
"PhilD" wrote in message

...
Went down to see track laying cross Elizabeth River bridge, just on

edge
of
Palmerston, this afternoon. Interesting to watch, but didn't get to

see
ballast laying, so must go and have another look tomorrow.

Looks likely to finish track laying itself within a fortnight, many

months
ahead of schedule.

From the lengths of rail being laid, already welded together, it

should
be a
much quieter trip than I remember from the old Ghan.

Phil


Phil
I lived in Darwin for quite awhile in the 60's and 70's, what happened
to the track that ran south to Larrimah, I believe it was ripped up
about 20 years ago. Was it the wrong gauge or something.
Cheers Ed

Ripped up in 1976.
http://www.aarc.com.au/aarc/info/history.html

It was narrow gauge, 3'6". The track was not really suitable for fast
freight usage, more like the old Ghan from Marree to Alice, SLOW. I don't
remember what the gauge was, but the track was quite winding in places and
cut back and forth across the Stuart Hwy. Some bridges were subject to

being
cut in the wet season. As the Stuart Hwy was upgraded, there was no way

that
it could be justified changing to and from the road and rail at such a

short
distance from Darwin. I seem to remember that it took about 12 hours from
Larrimah to Darwin, but going by road was at least half that. Added to

that
was the extra time to change the freight from one to another as well. Even
if the old line had stayed in operation longer, it would have had to been
realigned anyway.

Amazingly they have kept the old Ferguson River rail bridge, but with some
upgrading, and I'd love to see the first full freight train cross that,

but
from a safe distance. I remember using it when the Stuart Hwy was cut a
number of times.

The great pity of it coming to an end is that our stupid Australian
governments can't just continue on and build in the other missing links of
Tennant Ck to Mt Isa and from Katherine down the west coast.

Phil



The jury is still out as to whether the new Alice to Darwin link will ever
meet the building costs. I would think that any investors will be cautious
before sinking further funds into other marginal rail projects.

Geoff Lillico


  #5  
Old September 16th, 2003, 10:14 AM
PhilD
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin


"Geoff Lillico" wrote in message
...

"PhilD" wrote in message
...

wrote in message
om...
"PhilD" wrote in message

...
Went down to see track laying cross Elizabeth River bridge, just on

edge
of
Palmerston, this afternoon. Interesting to watch, but didn't get to

see
ballast laying, so must go and have another look tomorrow.

Looks likely to finish track laying itself within a fortnight, many

months
ahead of schedule.

From the lengths of rail being laid, already welded together, it

should
be a
much quieter trip than I remember from the old Ghan.

Phil

Phil
I lived in Darwin for quite awhile in the 60's and 70's, what happened
to the track that ran south to Larrimah, I believe it was ripped up
about 20 years ago. Was it the wrong gauge or something.
Cheers Ed

Ripped up in 1976.
http://www.aarc.com.au/aarc/info/history.html

It was narrow gauge, 3'6". The track was not really suitable for fast
freight usage, more like the old Ghan from Marree to Alice, SLOW. I

don't
remember what the gauge was, but the track was quite winding in places

and
cut back and forth across the Stuart Hwy. Some bridges were subject to

being
cut in the wet season. As the Stuart Hwy was upgraded, there was no way

that
it could be justified changing to and from the road and rail at such a

short
distance from Darwin. I seem to remember that it took about 12 hours

from
Larrimah to Darwin, but going by road was at least half that. Added to

that
was the extra time to change the freight from one to another as well.

Even
if the old line had stayed in operation longer, it would have had to

been
realigned anyway.

Amazingly they have kept the old Ferguson River rail bridge, but with

some
upgrading, and I'd love to see the first full freight train cross that,

but
from a safe distance. I remember using it when the Stuart Hwy was cut a
number of times.

The great pity of it coming to an end is that our stupid Australian
governments can't just continue on and build in the other missing links

of
Tennant Ck to Mt Isa and from Katherine down the west coast.

Phil



The jury is still out as to whether the new Alice to Darwin link will ever
meet the building costs. I would think that any investors will be cautious
before sinking further funds into other marginal rail projects.

Geoff Lillico


The justification of infrastructure building such as these shouldn't just be
measured by the short term cash returns, rather we should be looking into
the future. 100 years to get around to building 1500 km of railway line and
how many years and still no alternate Sydney airport is rather pathetic.
We're run by committee's that eternally debate anything without really ever
getting anywhere. Our leaders have no vision of the future of this country.
Our politicians never have a problem finding money for pet projects that
don't really better the country, but a steady program for rail projects is
usually put off to a future generation. Meanwhile we have to rely on road
transport, so everything ends up designed around it, regardless of long term
consequences.

Having said that, looking at the timetable and costs of the Ghan service
to/from Darwin, I just can't see it being worthwhile and unlikely that I
would ever use it, except with a large lottery win.

Phil


  #6  
Old September 18th, 2003, 01:00 AM
Keith Sayers
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin

On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 13:18:49 GMT, "PhilD" wrote:

Some bridges were subject to being cut in the wet season.


True, but some were the reverse. I can remember bumping over the
rail bridge at Adelaide River when the river below was running a
banker.

The great pity of it coming to an end is that our stupid Australian
governments can't just continue on and build in the other missing links of
Tennant Ck to Mt Isa and from Katherine down the west coast.


Or get us stupid taxpayers to finance it ....

Katherine down the west coast ....... ! That really is
something to spend this century talking about! How about a link from
Kalgoorlie to Newman? (I mean to talk about ..... )
__________________________________________________ ____________
Keith Sayers, Canberra, Australia
Mail : 6 Clambe Place,
CHARNWOOD, ACT 2615
http://www.pcug.org.au/~kmsayers
--------------------------------------------------------------
  #7  
Old September 18th, 2003, 01:00 AM
Keith Sayers
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin

On Sun, 14 Sep 2003 14:08:01 GMT, "PhilD" wrote:

Went down to see track laying cross Elizabeth River bridge, just on edge of
Palmerston, this afternoon. Interesting to watch, but didn't get to see
ballast laying, so must go and have another look tomorrow.


As a nostalgic former Top-Ender myself I would be interested to
have more occasional such reports if you have the time ....

__________________________________________________ ____________
Keith Sayers, Canberra, Australia
Mail : 6 Clambe Place,
CHARNWOOD, ACT 2615
http://www.pcug.org.au/~kmsayers
--------------------------------------------------------------
  #8  
Old September 18th, 2003, 09:26 AM
PhilD
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin


"Keith Sayers" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 14 Sep 2003 14:08:01 GMT, "PhilD" wrote:

Went down to see track laying cross Elizabeth River bridge, just on edge

of
Palmerston, this afternoon. Interesting to watch, but didn't get to see
ballast laying, so must go and have another look tomorrow.


As a nostalgic former Top-Ender myself I would be interested to
have more occasional such reports if you have the time ....

__________________________________________________ ____________
Keith Sayers, Canberra, Australia
Mail : 6 Clambe Place,
CHARNWOOD, ACT 2615
http://www.pcug.org.au/~kmsayers
--------------------------------------------------------------

How long ago were you here????


  #9  
Old September 18th, 2003, 09:51 AM
PhilD
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin


"Keith Sayers" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 13:18:49 GMT, "PhilD" wrote:

Some bridges were subject to being cut in the wet season.


True, but some were the reverse. I can remember bumping over the
rail bridge at Adelaide River when the river below was running a
banker.

The great pity of it coming to an end is that our stupid Australian
governments can't just continue on and build in the other missing links

of
Tennant Ck to Mt Isa and from Katherine down the west coast.


Or get us stupid taxpayers to finance it ....


As stupid tax payers we're already funding waste almost anywhere anyone
cares to look at, and I don't exclude up here as well.

Katherine down the west coast ....... ! That really is
something to spend this century talking about! How about a link from
Kalgoorlie to Newman? (I mean to talk about ..... )

I have nothing against road trains, but there must be a better way than
building and maintaining the main highways to cope with them. IF (a big if)
the Darwin Port does dramatically increase in activity as a result of the
new rail line, then increased freight would flow to Qld and Northern WA.
Filling in the rail gap from Tennant Ck to Mt Isa would link into the
proposed inland rail line from Qld down through NSW and to Vic. One eastern
states consortium has already started studies for that, but I can't remember
if they wanted it to go from Mt Isa to Tennant or Katherine. Apparently they
felt it financially viable.

With proposed irrigation activities from the Ord River dam, increased
transport needs from that region may make a line from Katherine viable.

I wasn't trying to suggest that these lines should be done at a fast rate,
but it seems to me that the expertise of the current construction crew for
the Alice to Darwin line looks like being lost.

Maybe they could get down your way and start a fast train track from
Melbourne through Canberra and to Sydney. Who knows, there may not even be a
need to have a second airport for Sydney.
__________________________________________________ ____________
Keith Sayers, Canberra, Australia
Mail : 6 Clambe Place,
CHARNWOOD, ACT 2615
http://www.pcug.org.au/~kmsayers
--------------------------------------------------------------



  #10  
Old September 20th, 2003, 12:18 AM
Keith Sayers
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Railway progress into Darwin

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 08:26:21 GMT, "PhilD" wrote:

How long ago were you here????


Well the first time was pre-cyclone .....

A small story, FWIW. I had been living in the Pilbara - on the
cyclone coast - and had been familiar both with cyclones and the sort
mid to late last century construction designed to withstand them. In
due course I left there for a leisurely trip around Oz. Coped with
the 400 miles of dirt road to the fascinating little port of Broome.
Bumped my way around the Kimberleys, getting about as far down the
Gibb River road as was possible with two-wheel drive and spare fuel in
jerry cans. On across the VRD to Katherine and that enormous gorge -
'Wow, what a small river in such a big gorge - why build this bridge
so high?' ..... Drove on north up the the 'Track'. Bitumen! Wow,
what luxury! Only one lane, need to pull off onto the dirt to pass,
but still the luxury of smooth driving. Eventually, a day or two
later maybe, reached a country crossroads called Berrimah. Remember
the little village there with its post office and a fellow who mounted
Buff horns. Soon after that was driving alongside what used to be
claimed as the world's largest airport in area covered (or was it just
Australia's largest?). And so into Darwin.

I was looking for a friend in Alawa (who, incidentally, was a
trackie on the NAR) and that took me a while. As I was driving around
I was absorbing the feel of the place and I still remember my first
impression : 'Mmmmm, interesting. This area is evidently not cyclone
prone. These houses are obviously not built to cyclone standards.'

The following Christmas came Tracy ......
__________________________________________________ ____________
Keith Sayers, Canberra, Australia
Mail : 6 Clambe Place,
CHARNWOOD, ACT 2615
http://www.pcug.org.au/~kmsayers
--------------------------------------------------------------
 




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