Location: Launceston, Tasmania
I am a driver ABT locos and they burn waste oil and have been for 5 yearsAnd from talking to Nigel Day they use a lot less fuel and water than they used to.
WCWR to close?
BP4417
Deputy Commissioner
Location: Launceston, Tasmania
i_know_nothing
Train Controller
I was being tongue-in-cheek, but I did see some fuel consumption figures some years ago and it was extreme in absolute figures, and more so considering the work done. I was unaware of the change to waste oil though. Diesel fuel was an indulgence.
jayrail
Assistant Commissioner
Location: te Anau Southern Alps NZ
A little info on the background here please.
When the line was closed by the mine owners, passengers were no longer conveyed Qt-Strauan ,,many old historic photos of the last train abound.Then along came big $s to rebadge itself.
So what operator has now pulled out?and why?
What is the timeline from Restoration to now?
It was a class act when it first only ran up to Rhinadeena;reasonable fare,and not too long a day.
The team was a very happy group.
When the line was closed by the mine owners, passengers were no longer conveyed Qt-Strauan ,,many old historic photos of the last train abound.Then along came big $s to rebadge itself.
So what operator has now pulled out?and why?
What is the timeline from Restoration to now?
It was a class act when it first only ran up to Rhinadeena;reasonable fare,and not too long a day.
The team was a very happy group.
Rodo
Chief Commissioner
Location: Southern Riverina
It was a class act not long before it closed. The track was not in bad fettle but was suffering from the seconhand wooden main line sleepers used in construction. The fare was not cheap but was good value compared with other tours and had reasonable patronage. The team was certainly a happy group last February.
Federal Hotels was the errant operator and may have been bribed by the government giving them poker machine licences. Nobody seemed to play these machines much in either the West or Devonport.
Federal Hotels was the errant operator and may have been bribed by the government giving them poker machine licences. Nobody seemed to play these machines much in either the West or Devonport.
S550
Station Master
Location: Perth WA
It was a class act not long before it closed. The track was not in bad fettle but was suffering from the seconhand wooden main line sleepers used in construction. The fare was not cheap but was good value compared with other tours and had reasonable patronage. The team was certainly a happy group last February.
Federal Hotels was the errant operator and may have been bribed by the government giving them poker machine licences. Nobody seemed to play these machines much in either the West or Devonport.
Do our Tasmania readers have any insights on when re-opening may occur ?
The government is now talking about "up and running by the summer tourist season between Queenstown and Dubbil Barril" but no exact date yet.
http://www.dier.tas.gov.au/abt_railway/latest_news
I am flying across from WA to Melbourne for Xmas, if the WCWR were really likely to be running in December I would go a week early and zip across to Tas.
Thanks
S550
locojoe67
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Gen X purgatory/urban Joh-land
If it reopens under government stewardship, it may run to a reduced schedule.
The locals I spoke to all said the same thing: it's too expensive for families.
I have been on it; did enjoy it. My impressions here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjao6iiwMFk
The locals I spoke to all said the same thing: it's too expensive for families.
I have been on it; did enjoy it. My impressions here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjao6iiwMFk
Floody
Locomotive Driver
I don't know about 'nobody much' playing pokies in Devonport or further west...Federal Group/Oasis/TasKeno operate in pubs right across and down the coast as far as I know, and given the low socio economic status of the area I suspect if pokies are there, they're being used.
Anyway, I don't know if 'families' are really the target market. Given its like 4-5 hours from anywhere, there is little else to do there apart from Macquarie Harbor cruises, and most visitors to Tasmania fall into the baby boomer couples category, is it even an important focus?
Anyway, I don't know if 'families' are really the target market. Given its like 4-5 hours from anywhere, there is little else to do there apart from Macquarie Harbor cruises, and most visitors to Tasmania fall into the baby boomer couples category, is it even an important focus?
locojoe67
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Gen X purgatory/urban Joh-land
If it relied on baby boomer couples, that may explain why it closed.
Its basically a full day out. Its nowhere close to a population base, so visitors ideally need to stay overnight. After doing the full day river cruise - itself not cheap - why would the typical bb couple even bother? Most aussies only contact with trains now is waiting for them at level crossings. Thats a hard cultural sell.
I cited the cost because that is what people told me, including those with their own businesses. Personally, i agree with them. It is expensive, for what it is.
Maybe it should have a marketing change, and have poker machines installed. Maybe some live music, or perhaps night trains for the youth market. It was already licensed. Alcohol and gambling go together so well; for the operators, anyway. Not too sure about how that might bode for the patrons...
Its basically a full day out. Its nowhere close to a population base, so visitors ideally need to stay overnight. After doing the full day river cruise - itself not cheap - why would the typical bb couple even bother? Most aussies only contact with trains now is waiting for them at level crossings. Thats a hard cultural sell.
I cited the cost because that is what people told me, including those with their own businesses. Personally, i agree with them. It is expensive, for what it is.
Maybe it should have a marketing change, and have poker machines installed. Maybe some live music, or perhaps night trains for the youth market. It was already licensed. Alcohol and gambling go together so well; for the operators, anyway. Not too sure about how that might bode for the patrons...
Graham4405
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: Dalby Qld
If it reopens under government stewardship, it may run to a reduced schedule.When I was planning our Tassie trip a few years back I looked at this and thought: Wow! That's expensive. As my sister and brother-in-law are regular visitors to Tassie I was running some things by them, including how expensive I thought WCWR was. My brother-in-law talked me into it with the rationale that it is a once in a lifetime trip and well worth it. Thus we did the trip and have to agree. When (if) we return to Tassie, we likely won't do it again (if indeed it is an option).
The locals I spoke to all said the same thing: it's too expensive for families.
I have been on it; did enjoy it.
locojoe67
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Gen X purgatory/urban Joh-land
When i was a young, heavily indebted householder in adelaide, i turned down a trip on the Barossa wine train. Three hundred dollars for two for a day out.
Choices, choices.
Choices, choices.
S550
Station Master
Location: Perth WA
When i was a young, heavily indebted householder in adelaide, i turned down a trip on the Barossa wine train. Three hundred dollars for two for a day out.
Choices, choices.
Thanks locojoe for posting the video, good to watch.
Latest update to the WCWR Faceboook page suggest they really are getting close to re-opening, with photo of ABT5 running work train:
https://www.facebook.com/SaveTheWestCoastWildernessRailwayTasmania
These days, the accreditation paperwok is a very big part of being able to run any railway so the fact that loco and track are allowed to be in some use seems very promising ?
S550
Graham4405
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: Dalby Qld
These days, the accreditation paperwok is a very big part of being able to run any railway so the fact that loco and track are allowed to be in some use seems very promising ?I don't recall seeing anywhere that their accreditation had been revoked?
S550
S550
Station Master
Location: Perth WA
I don't recall seeing anywhere that their accreditation had been revoked?
IN WA, "accrediation" is a many-headed beast and can involve accreditation/certification/registration/approval for oeprator, for crews, for locos, for other rollign stock for track and for other parts.
Perhaps rashly, I assumed that Tasmania subject to similar regimes.
At least one aspect is accreditaiton of the operator, and that operator is no longer involved?
Also I note on the 'official' page it says "that the railway is still subject to a series of track access restrictions imposed by the National Rail Safety Regulator and replacement equipment for that damaged in the accident cannot be specified until relevant investigations are complete."
That's on
http://www.dier.tas.gov.au/abt_railway/latest_news
Hence, in trying to work out whether they are really likely to be up and running in December, I find the post about ABT5 on work trains to be very promising.
S550
Graham4405
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: Dalby Qld
IN WA, "accrediation" is a many-headed beast and can involve accreditation/certification/registration/approval for oeprator, for crews, for locos, for other rollign stock for track and for other parts.It is likely similar to what you describe, the railway, the operator would both require accreditation. I don't know either way, just wondered.
Perhaps rashly, I assumed that Tasmania subject to similar regimes.
At least one aspect is accreditaiton of the operator, and that operator is no longer involved?
Also I note on the 'official' page it says "that the railway is still subject to a series of track access restrictions imposed by the National Rail Safety Regulator and replacement equipment for that damaged in the accident cannot be specified until relevant investigations are complete."
That's on
http://www.dier.tas.gov.au/abt_railway/latest_news
Hence, in trying to work out whether they are really likely to be up and running in December, I find the post about ABT5 on work trains to be very promising.
S550
As you say promising...
S550
Station Master
Location: Perth WA
At last there is a proposed date for re-opening - 6 January 2014.
Queenstown to Dubbil Barril at this time, the rest may come later.
The update is on
http://www.dier.tas.gov.au/abt_railway/latest_news
Unfortunately I can't make it in January, so will hope that the railway is successful and I will try to get there next summer.
S550
Queenstown to Dubbil Barril at this time, the rest may come later.
The update is on
http://www.dier.tas.gov.au/abt_railway/latest_news
Unfortunately I can't make it in January, so will hope that the railway is successful and I will try to get there next summer.
S550
locojoe67
Assistant Commissioner
Location: Gen X purgatory/urban Joh-land
When they reopen, I hope the appeal of the audio commentary can be enhanced.
I don't object to the content. Some of it was interesting and revevant. But the style of delivery was offputting.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yjao6iiwMFk
I don't object to the content. Some of it was interesting and revevant. But the style of delivery was offputting.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yjao6iiwMFk
GrahamH
Chief Commissioner
Location: At a terminal on the www.
Side bar: I'm confused. Is the train steam hauled all the way or is it partly diseasal hauled?
GeoffreyHansen
Minister for Railways
Location: In a FAM sleeper
ARMC allowed to operate passenger and freight trains?
Graham4405
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: Dalby Qld
Side bar: I'm confused. Is the train steam hauled all the way or is it partly diseasal hauled?Diesel hauled (V class) between Regatta Point (Strahan) and Dubbill Barrill, steam hauled between Dubbill Barrill and Queenstown.
xxxxlbear
Token Booking Clerk
Location: Geelong
When they reopen, I hope the appeal of the audio commentary can be enhanced.Have you thought of contacting the railway directly with your suggestion?
I don't object to the content. Some of it was interesting and revevant. But the style of delivery was offputting.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yjao6iiwMFk
I am sure they would appreciate any suggestions that could help improve their product delivery
gremalle
Chief Train Controller
Location: Edens Landing
Diesel hauled (V class) between Regatta Point (Strahan) and Dubbill Barrill, steam hauled between Dubbill Barrill and Queenstown.First time I travelled on it, it was as you say but the next time it was in winter and was steam all the way, only one service per day alternating direction each day.
Going to Tassie again in February so hopefully it will still be running then even if it is only the top section.
GrahamH
Chief Commissioner
Location: At a terminal on the www.
Diesel hauled (V class) between Regatta Point (Strahan) and Dubbill Barrill, steam hauled between Dubbill Barrill and Queenstown.What a rip-off.
Thanks Graham.
duttonbay
Minister for Railways
What a rip-off.
Didn't worry me in the slightest when I took the trip. Watching the changeover at Dubbill Barrill, with both locos being turned, was very interesting, probably more so than steam on the gentle grades from there to Regatta Point.
Graham4405
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: Dalby Qld
Didn't worry me in the slightest when I took the trip. Watching the changeover at Dubbill Barrill, with both locos being turned, was very interesting, probably more so than steam on the gentle grades from there to Regatta Point.Ditto...
Graham4405
The Ghost of George Stephenson
Location: Dalby Qld
Apparently trains have been running between Queenstown and Dubbil Barril daily since 6th January 2014...
http://www.wcwr.com.au/back-rail/
There hasn't been any fanfare over that one!
http://www.wcwr.com.au/back-rail/
There hasn't been any fanfare over that one!