Proposal to return passenger services to Hobart and the Northern Suburbs would be a good way to boost the economy.

“After the State and Federal Governments agreed to accelerate a City Deal for Hobart in 2018, the then Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding, promised to “pull out all stops” to get the passenger rail built within five years,” Mr Willie said.

“At the time, Mr Hidding said work would get underway immediately to activate the corridor, by fixing level crossings and platforms and getting the non-operation line ready for use. “But, despite the City Deal containing $25 million for reducing congestion, including by activating the northern suburbs corridor, no money has been spent and nothing has been done.

Money has been allocated according to the article but no work has been completed.  Where would the station be and are these services to be longer distance to other cities or just for Hobart?

Passenger rail would put recovery on right track

Its the Hobart Northern Suburbs Railway proposal, which has been around for a while, utilising the disused Hobart Line between Bridgewater and Macquarie Point for light - medium rail commuter services.

The proposed Hobart Terminus is Mawson Square (bottom of Elizabeth St) although the light / medium nature of the proposed rolling stock would permit the track to be extended up the median in Lower Elizabeth St to the current bus mall outside the GPO. The northern terminus is proposed to be Brighton, the fastest growing population area in Tas.

The only prospect for services beyond Brighton, would be from Tourist & Heritage Rail Groups running heritage passenger excursions. Without completely abandoning the South Line between Brighton & Antill Ponds in the Midlands, and replacing it with a brand new line via the Jordan River Valley (well to the west of the current line and well west of the Midlands Highway) there will never ever be a commercial case for public transport to the north of the state, as the old line is simply too windy and slow.

Aligned with the HNSR proposal are long standing ambitions to provide access for the various 3'6" Tourist Rail Groups (TTMS, DVR, DRR, LNER)  to access Macquarie Wharf 5 to connect to cruise ships.

Quote from last post: "Aligned with the HNSR proposal are long standing ambitions to provide access for the various 3'6" Tourist Rail Groups (TTMS, DVR, DRR, LNER)  to access Macquarie Wharf 5 to connect to cruise ships."


What is TaTRail's position on this and are they actively working towards achieving this outcome?  
How active is TaTRail and do they have a website or FaceBook page (I have not been able to find either)?

Melanie Dennis

What is TaTRail's position on this and are they actively working towards achieving this outcome?  
How active is TaTRail and do they have a website or FaceBook page (I have not been able to find either)?

Melanie Dennis

Hi Melanie.

The 3'6" groups (all members of TATRail) are currently working together to overcome the Tas. state govts intransigence in refusing to align with mainland state govts, in covering the balance in excess of the T&HR's standard Public Liability cover of $20M, with the insistence that the volunteer T&HR groups cover the entire $200M rail based PL cover themselves, which of course is fiscally impossible for volunteer groups, and as a result stalling any resumption of T&HR activities on either state administered main lines (under Tasrail) or disused branch lines. Only WCWR (a Govt body (GBE) insured fully by the Govt) and the Don RR on their own private line under council jurisdiction (hence exempt from the state Govt $200M cover demand) are currently in operation. Even the TTMS, whose short line is on state Govt controlled trackage outside of their yard, have been stopped from operating, consistent with DVR's situation since 2005.  

However, some members of TATRail are campaigning to establish a stand alone statewide main line operating body of which the 3'6" groups would be shareholders and providers of rolling stock. However the 3'6" groups are not in agreement with this at present, as they concentrate on getting their basic home based operations off the ground first.

Thus TATRail is a bit disjointed at present with conflicting priorities, thus the association, as a body, is somewhat in the background, whilst the member 3'6" groups lobby the Govt themselves. There has long been some frustration with TATRail in being unable to "herd the cats" and present a unified front supported by the entire T&HR membership.

The links for TATRail can be found under the "Great Rail Experiences Tasmania" banner which is mainly a marketing presence.

GRET site:  https://www.greatrailexperiencestasmania.com.au/

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greatrailexperiencestasmania/

Cheers,
Steve Z

Is it time the government of Tasmania looked at a passenger service between Burnie and Hobart to connect with the ship ?

Is it time the government of Tasmania looked at a passenger service between Burnie and Hobart to connect with the ship ?

Would be nice but I don't think it would be practical. Cruise ships stop in port for 1 day, usually around 10 maybe 12h. So everything you do must be within that time frame. In the long past I did here of private steam charters, but I think mostly within DVR up to National Park (open to correction).

As the southern line is now basically truncated, it will not be possible to run from Macquarie Port to the Valley anymore, however a bus  ride through the 'burbs to New Norfolk and starting from there would save some time and allow more time on the train and at the destinations of National Park / Maydena. Perhaps here is where you can value add by allowing passengers to explore the tracks from Maydena up to the old logging yards a few km away using rail pedal carts and/or electric.

Sadly, I don't speak Tasmanian or I might have learned something from this thread.

TTMS, DVR, DRR, LNER, WCWR, GBE, TATRail, T&HR, GRET, HNSR, PL

This collection of unexplained acronyms outdoes anything ever before seen on Railpage (RP).

OK, I can probably work a few out if I could be bothered but this extraordinary collection of unexplained acronyms makes a mockery of any attempt to convey meaningful information to the unfortunate, ill-educated proletariat who do not speak Tasmanian.

I always thought that the LNER was a world famous railway in Britain who claimed a world speed record as by-product of dangerously damaging their locomotive. I was not aware that the LNER had moved to Tasmania. Did Mallard come with them?  

My (few) Comrades here on RP would expect nothing less ................................

Remember:
There are NSUs and NSUs and STD is not always a STD.

EDIT:  RTT You have been defeated in the UAR (Unexplained Acronym Race).

Sadly, I don't speak Tasmanian or I might have learned something from this thread.

TTMS, DVR, DRR, LNER, WCWR, GBE, TATRail, T&HR, GRET, HNSR, PL

This collection of unexplained acronyms outdoes anything ever before seen on Railpage (RP).

OK, I can probably work a few out if I could be bothered but this extraordinary collection of unexplained acronyms makes a mockery of any attempt to convey meaningful information to the unfortunate, ill-educated proletariat who do not speak Tasmanian.

I always thought that the LNER was a world famous railway in Britain who claimed a world speed record as by-product of dangerously damaging their locomotive. I was not aware that the LNER had moved to Tasmania. Did Mallard come with them?  

My (few) Comrades here on RP would expect nothing less ................................

Remember:
There are NSUs and NSUs and STD is not always a STD.

EDIT:  RTT You have been defeated in the UAR (Unexplained Acronym Race).

TTMS, Tasmanian Transport Museum Soc
DVR, Derwent Valley Railway (Soc)
DRR, Don River Railway (Soc)
LNER, Launceston to Nth East Railway (group) (Its a Tas group why would people be talking about UK)
WCWR, West Coast Wilderness Railway
GBE, as mentioned "(a Govt body (GBE) insured fully by the Govt) "
TATRail, Not sure exactly but basically 3'6" gauge tourist rail operators of Tasmania.
T&HR, Tourist and Heritage Railway
GRET, Great Rail Experiences Tasmania, it was mentioned immediately after in the link title
HNSR, Hobart Northern Suburbs Railway , it was mentioned in the post but not technically correct english I suppose.
PL, Public Liability

You missed one, GPO!

The reason so many as in typical Tasmania style Tasmania has more T&HR societies per had of population than probably most states. Cannot have one, when you need to ensure both the North and South parts of the state are covered by their own.

Is it time the government of Tasmania looked at a passenger service between Burnie and Hobart to connect with the ship ?

There will NEVER EVER be a commercial public transport again between Hobart and Launceston / Devonport /Burnie UNLESS the main South Line is completely deviated between Brighton and Antill Ponds via Broadmarsh, Hunting Ground and Lower Marshes (following the Jordan River valley) which would raise average speeds to 80 - 100kph (freight) and 100 - 120kph (passenger). Without that massive deviation, the old route via Campania, Colebrook, Rhyndaston & Parattah (40 - 50kph) is simply to slow for a feasible commercial transport service even with the most modern tilting train technology (might squeeze out 70kph at the most). So until then, the only chance of riding between Hobart / Launceston / Burnie will only ever be by tourist & heritage passenger excursions.

TTMS, Tasmanian Transport Museum Soc
DVR, Derwent Valley Railway (Soc)
DRR, Don River Railway (Soc)
LNER, Launceston to Nth East Railway (group) (Its a Tas group why would people be talking about UK)
WCWR, West Coast Wilderness Railway
GBE, as mentioned "(a Govt body (GBE) insured fully by the Govt) "
TATRail, Not sure exactly but basically 3'6" gauge tourist rail operators of Tasmania.
T&HR, Tourist and Heritage Railway
GRET, Great Rail Experiences Tasmania, it was mentioned immediately after in the link title
HNSR, Hobart Northern Suburbs Railway , it was mentioned in the post but not technically correct english I suppose.
PL, Public Liability

You missed one, GPO!

The reason so many as in typical Tasmania style Tasmania has more T&HR societies per had of population than probably most states. Cannot have one, when you need to ensure both the North and South parts of the state are covered by their own.

Thanks Shane, for having the time and patience to spell out those acronyms.

A couple enhanced explanations;
GBE = Government Business Enterprise
TATRail = Tasmanian Association of Tourist Rail(ways). Also includes the 2ft gauge operators including (yes more acronyms!!) WGWR (Wee Georgie Wood Railway, Tullah); RWC (Redwater Creek Railway, Sheffield); IBR (Ida Bay Railway, Lune River) and tram society LTM (Launceston Tramway Museum).

Not mentioned but as a historical aside, LNER (Launceston & North Eastern Railway) evolved out of DTT (Diesel Traction Tasmania) which it still identifies as in its incorporation documents. Additionally, the original incorporated society that is DRR (Don River Railway) is the VDLRS (Van Diemen Light Railway Society).

Sadly, I don't speak Tasmanian or I might have learned something from this thread.

TTMS, DVR, DRR, LNER, WCWR, GBE, TATRail, T&HR, GRET, HNSR, PL

This collection of unexplained acronyms outdoes anything ever before seen on Railpage (RP).

OK, I can probably work a few out if I could be bothered but this extraordinary collection of unexplained acronyms makes a mockery of any attempt to convey meaningful information to the unfortunate, ill-educated proletariat who do not speak Tasmanian.

I always thought that the LNER was a world famous railway in Britain who claimed a world speed record as by-product of dangerously damaging their locomotive. I was not aware that the LNER had moved to Tasmania. Did Mallard come with them?  

My (few) Comrades here on RP would expect nothing less ................................

Remember:
There are NSUs and NSUs and STD is not always a STD.

EDIT:  RTT You have been defeated in the UAR (Unexplained Acronym Race).

TTMS, Tasmanian Transport Museum Soc
DVR, Derwent Valley Railway (Soc)
DRR, Don River Railway (Soc)
LNER, Launceston to Nth East Railway (group) (Its a Tas group why would people be talking about UK)
WCWR, West Coast Wilderness Railway
GBE, as mentioned "(a Govt body (GBE) insured fully by the Govt) "
TATRail, Not sure exactly but basically 3'6" gauge tourist rail operators of Tasmania.
T&HR, Tourist and Heritage Railway
GRET, Great Rail Experiences Tasmania, it was mentioned immediately after in the link title
HNSR, Hobart Northern Suburbs Railway , it was mentioned in the post but not technically correct english I suppose.
PL, Public Liability

You missed one, GPO!

The reason so many as in typical Tasmania style Tasmania has more T&HR societies per had of population than probably most states. Cannot have one, when you need to ensure both the North and South parts of the state are covered by their own.

above explains why Taswegians have 2 heads...................

Thanks Shane, for having the time and patience to spell out those acronyms.

A couple enhanced explanations;
GBE = Government Business Enterprise
TATRail = Tasmanian Association of Tourist Rail(ways). Also includes the 2ft gauge operators including (yes more acronyms!!) WGWR (Wee Georgie Wood Railway, Tullah); RWC (Redwater Creek Railway, Sheffield); IBR (Ida Bay Railway, Lune River) and tram society LTM (Launceston Tramway Museum).

Not mentioned but as a historical aside, LNER (Launceston & North Eastern Railway) evolved out of DTT (Diesel Traction Tasmania) which it still identifies as in its incorporation documents. Additionally, the original incorporated society that is DRR (Don River Railway) is the VDLRS (Van Diemen Light Railway Society).

No problem
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Within a community there is no need to repeat long hand commonly used acronyms within that community. If others want to know, you just politely ask.

Sadly, I don't speak Tasmanian or I might have learned something from this thread.

TTMS, DVR, DRR, LNER, WCWR, GBE, TATRail, T&HR, GRET, HNSR, PL

This collection of unexplained acronyms outdoes anything ever before seen on Railpage (RP).

EDIT:  RTT You have been defeated in the UAR (Unexplained Acronym Race).

Unexplained acronyms? Yes acronyms are liberally peppered around (cant be bothered writing everything constantly longhanded) but with a bit of care in reading and comprehension, most are explained either directly or in a roundabout fashion:

TTMS, DVR, DRR, LNER, WCWR were explained in the 2nd post in the thread as 3'6" Tourist rail groups. Surely its not that hard to find out what the Tas tourist rail groups are?

TATRail as above explained that the 3'6" groups are members of it. Simple deduction would lead one to presume it's the tourist & heritage rail representative group?

T&HR clearly explained in the 2nd post in the thread.

HNSR again, clearly explained in the 2nd post in the thread

PL explained in the 4th post in the thread.

Lots of acronyms? Guilty! Unexplained? Some yes (but not beyond a simple, brief investigation) others? Read the thread again!

Is it time the government of Tasmania looked at a passenger service between Burnie and Hobart to connect with the ship ?

There will NEVER EVER be a commercial public transport again between Hobart and Launceston / Devonport /Burnie UNLESS the main South Line is completely deviated between Brighton and Antill Ponds via Broadmarsh, Hunting Ground and Lower Marshes (following the Jordan River valley) which would raise average speeds to 80 - 100kph (freight) and 100 - 120kph (passenger). Without that massive deviation, the old route via Campania, Colebrook, Rhyndaston & Parattah (40 - 50kph) is simply to slow for a feahas numerous bsible commercial transport service even with the most modern tilting train technology (might squeeze out 70kph at the most). So until then, the only chance of riding between Hobart / Launceston / Burnie will only ever be by tourist & heritage passenger excursions.

The most logical place for a potential regular (of sorts) H&T rail service in Tassie is Deveonport to Wynyard, (obviously the Burnie to Wynyard part is no longer available, but lets ignore that for a moment)

The route has numerous benefits including
- The roughly 60km stretch has 5 significant towns all closely spaced, Devon, Ult, Penguin, Burnie and Wynyard making half day trips for lunch, AM or PM etc practical without spending all day on a train.
- Significant scenic coastal strip
- A number of tourist attractions to cater for different tastes
- Popular area with tourists
- Still has some suitable infrastructure including turning, stations, passing loops
- Station locations are central to town with walking distance to pub etc.
- Practical for one way trips / bus return to save time or continue on with maybe one member of the family driving the car
- Connects with TT-Line
- Access to existing T&H operator DRR.
- From memory only one steep bank rising from east of Ulverston to west of Devonport.
- Significant domestic population along the route who make make use of a regular service for a "day out"
- Route would also be highly suited to a Dinner train which would take massive advantage of Tasmania's long summer twilight evenings including a stop to watch the fairy penguins waddle up the beach right next to the railway in many locations.

The most logical place for a potential regular (of sorts) H&T rail service in Tassie is Deveonport to Wynyard, (obviously the Burnie to Wynyard part is no longer available, but lets ignore that for a moment)

The route has numerous benefits including
- The roughly 60km stretch has 5 significant towns all closely spaced, Devon, Ult, Penguin, Burnie and Wynyard making half day trips for lunch, AM or PM etc practical without spending all day on a train.
- Significant scenic coastal strip
- A number of tourist attractions to cater for different tastes
- Popular area with tourists
- Still has some suitable infrastructure including turning, stations, passing loops
- Station locations are central to town with walking distance to pub etc.
- Practical for one way trips / bus return to save time or continue on with maybe one member of the family driving the car
- Connects with TT-Line
- Access to existing T&H operator DRR.
- From memory only one steep bank rising from east of Ulverston to west of Devonport.
- Significant domestic population along the route who make make use of a regular service for a "day out"
- Route would also be highly suited to a Dinner train which would take massive advantage of Tasmania's long summer twilight evenings including a stop to watch the fairy penguins waddle up the beach right next to the railway in many locations.

I'm pretty sure that is precisely why DRR are persistently agitating to get access back to the main-line. However, until a solution is found to fund the Govt required mandated excess Public Liability ($180M) over and above the standard Tourist & Heritage Railway PL cover of $20M, T&H endeavours in this state are on ice (bar WCWR and DRR's operations on their own lines).

Thanks Shane, for having the time and patience to spell out those acronyms.

A couple enhanced explanations;
GBE = Government Business Enterprise
TATRail = Tasmanian Association of Tourist Rail(ways). Also includes the 2ft gauge operators including (yes more acronyms!!) WGWR (Wee Georgie Wood Railway, Tullah); RWC (Redwater Creek Railway, Sheffield); IBR (Ida Bay Railway, Lune River) and tram society LTM (Launceston Tramway Museum).

Not mentioned but as a historical aside, LNER (Launceston & North Eastern Railway) evolved out of DTT (Diesel Traction Tasmania) which it still identifies as in its incorporation documents. Additionally, the original incorporated society that is DRR (Don River Railway) is the VDLRS (Van Diemen Light Railway Society).

No problem
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Within a community there is no need to repeat long hand commonly used acronyms within that community. If others want to know, you just politely ask.

Depends on how big that community is and whether they want 'outsiders' to be interested in reading whatever the message is that they wish (?) to convey.
Clearly, Tasmania is a small, inward looking, 'rail community' not interested in those beyond its coast.

Sadly, I don't speak Tasmanian or I might have learned something from this thread.

TTMS, DVR, DRR, LNER, WCWR, GBE, TATRail, T&HR, GRET, HNSR, PL

This collection of unexplained acronyms outdoes anything ever before seen on Railpage (RP).

EDIT:  RTT You have been defeated in the UAR (Unexplained Acronym Race).

Unexplained acronyms? Yes acronyms are liberally peppered around (cant be bothered writing everything constantly longhanded) but with a bit of care in reading and comprehension, most are explained either directly or in a roundabout fashion:

TTMS, DVR, DRR, LNER, WCWR were explained in the 2nd post in the thread as 3'6" Tourist rail groups. Surely its not that hard to find out what the Tas tourist rail groups are?

TATRail as above explained that the 3'6" groups are members of it. Simple deduction would lead one to presume it's the tourist & heritage rail representative group?

T&HR clearly explained in the 2nd post in the thread.

HNSR again, clearly explained in the 2nd post in the thread

PL explained in the 4th post in the thread.

Lots of acronyms? Guilty! Unexplained? Some yes (but not beyond a simple, brief investigation) others? Read the thread again!

Thanks 12CSVT.

Sadly, I still believe that one should not need to search any thread for acronyms that may have gone before (in some cases pages ago) or have another window open in which to feed acronyms.

You have obviously put some effort into preparing the 'offending post'. Perhaps you prepared it in Word lest RP shred your work rather than post it. I have been caught that way more than once!

If you use Word you can simply put the various esoteric acronyms in Auto Correct and everyone can be happy. You can avoid RSI (unexplained acronym !) and we Sassenachs can read the output in full.

Remember it is only a game. Keep smiling.

Is it time the government of Tasmania looked at a passenger service between Burnie and Hobart to connect with the ship ?

There will NEVER EVER be a commercial public transport again between Hobart and Launceston / Devonport /Burnie UNLESS the main South Line is completely deviated between Brighton and Antill Ponds via Broadmarsh, Hunting Ground and Lower Marshes (following the Jordan River valley) which would raise average speeds to 80 - 100kph (freight) and 100 - 120kph (passenger). Without that massive deviation, the old route via Campania, Colebrook, Rhyndaston & Parattah (40 - 50kph) is simply to slow for a feahas numerous bsible commercial transport service even with the most modern tilting train technology (might squeeze out 70kph at the most). So until then, the only chance of riding between Hobart / Launceston / Burnie will only ever be by tourist & heritage passenger excursions.

The most logical place for a potential regular (of sorts) H&T rail service in Tassie is Deveonport to Wynyard, (obviously the Burnie to Wynyard part is no longer available, but lets ignore that for a moment)

The route has numerous benefits including
- The roughly 60km stretch has 5 significant towns all closely spaced, Devon, Ult, Penguin, Burnie and Wynyard making half day trips for lunch, AM or PM etc practical without spending all day on a train.
- Significant scenic coastal strip
- A number of tourist attractions to cater for different tastes
- Popular area with tourists
- Still has some suitable infrastructure including turning, stations, passing loops
- Station locations are central to town with walking distance to pub etc.
- Practical for one way trips / bus return to save time or continue on with maybe one member of the family driving the car
- Connects with TT-Line
- Access to existing T&H operator DRR.
- From memory only one steep bank rising from east of Ulverston to west of Devonport.
- Significant domestic population along the route who make make use of a regular service for a "day out"
- Route would also be highly suited to a Dinner train which would take massive advantage of Tasmania's long summer twilight evenings including a stop to watch the fairy penguins waddle up the beach right next to the railway in many locations.

After I posted this I had a closer look at fairy penguin observation areas and there are more than I originally knew of including one in Burnie right next to the last section of track open in the former line to Wynyard and beyond. However there are also a few other locations where only the railway likely has access to a viewing area and closer to Devonport. So for example you could build (yes who pays) a small station platform on the sea side which would also double as a Penguin viewing platform all within 30-45min rail time from Devonport, so evening trip that is affordable and not too time consuming.

As Steve (I think) has since posted, Public Liability insurance is a major stumbling block for the politics of the island state when it comes to providing rail access to T&HR and one that has been going on for nearly 20 years, despite the transer and upgrade to state ownership. Ordinarily I would have thought forget the LNER project, the NW options are likely to be a more successful and you only have to pay to access an existing railway, not sole user maintain, a stumbling block that has undone many a rail based society in Aust.

It would therefore seem ironic that Tasmanian T&HR are being forced down the pathway of highest economic risk by their owns state govt, a state heavily dependent on tourism and quickly growing ECO tourism.

Sorry about the confusion I was referring to the spirit of Tasmania and regular timetable connecting with a train to Hobart for passengers. I do believe it is time for a review of passenger services in Tasmania even if you start small.

Sorry about the confusion I was referring to the spirit of Tasmania and regular timetable connecting with a train to Hobart for passengers. I do believe it is time for a review of passenger services in Tasmania even if you start small.

As many have said the alignments of the railways In pretty much all of Tasmania are slow (to very slow) and mostly Indirect, making possible potential passenger services hopelessly slow.

On the other hand the highways In Tasmania are of a very good standard, fast and direct, bypassing may small towns along the way.
Public transport Is very minimal outside the Hobart Launceston and Burnie urban regions.

  Public Transport Around the State
Tasmania is a big island with a small population.  Everyone drives everywhere.  The public transport services are poor.  The main form of public transport  is buses. There are no passenger train services between towns in Tasmania.
If you don't have a car, the best way to see the island is to join a tour.
If you wish to persevere with busses, these bus companies go to various parts of the state, mainly from Launceston and Hobart:
[color=#006699]Redline Coaches operates regular public transport services between the major towns.[/color]
[color=#006699]Tassielink operates regular public transport services throughout the island.  It is possible to get to Port Arthur and back with Tassielink once per week on Saturday only.  Details[color=#006699] here[/color].[/color]
[color=#006699]Saintys Coaches operates from Launceston, providing regular public transport services between major centres in the north east.[/color]
[color=#006699]Callows Coaches  provides a regular public transport service linking east coast centres with Hobart and launceston.[/color]
[color=#006699]Freycinet Connections links Bicheno, Coles Bay and Freycinet National Park and has thrice weekly services to Hobart.[/color]
[color=#006699]Evans Coaches  links the Huon Valley to Hobart with daily services.[/color]
[color=#006699]McDermotts Coaches provides regular public transport services to Cradle Mountain from Launceston.[/color]
[color=#006699]Lees Coaches provides a direct link between Launceston and George Town.[/color]
[color=#006699]Phoenix Coaches service the Devonport area from Ulverstone to Port Sorell.[/color]
[color=#006699]Derwent Valley Link provides services from Hobart to New Norfolk and the area around it.[/color]
[color=#006699]Manion's Coaches provides a service from Launceston along the West Tamar highway.[/color]

Are you suggesting looking at this again would be a bad idea ?

Track quality has improved a lot since the network went back to the government after PN ran it into the ground.

Rail Travel does not always need to be the gayest way and the train would allow intermediate towns to benefit. Are stations still in existence on the mainline between Burnie and Hobart ?

Are you suggesting looking at this again would be a bad idea ?

No Government Department would waste their time.

Guess there is little innovation in the apple isle.

I do believe it is time for a review of passenger services in Tasmania even if you start small.

As many have said the alignments of the railways In pretty much all of Tasmania are slow (to very slow) and mostly Indirect, making possible potential passenger services hopelessly slow.

Actually, of the main South and West lines between Hobart - Launceston - Burnie, the slowest part of the network is, as I mentioned earlier in the thread, between Brighton and Antill Ponds. That part of the south line is able to be sped up slightly, but nothing substantially enough to reconfigure the viability of commercial passenger transport and radically improve freights competitiveness against road. The only solution there is complete abandonment and a massive deviation via the Jordan River Valley.

Otherwise, the South Line north of Antill Ponds and the West line through to Burnie, with a few minor deviations and further enhancement of track quality, could be relatively easily brought up to 80kph freight average and 100kph passenger average. With a few more enhancements the average speeds could be increased again to 100 / 120kph resp.

Of course, there are issues with most of the branches (maybe excepting the Fingal Line) with respect to curvature and speed, but other than intermittent Tourist & heritage excursions, none have any commercial passenger potential with the possible exception of the lower part of the Derwent Valley Line between New Norfolk & Hobart.

Are you suggesting looking at this again would be a bad idea ?

Track quality has improved a lot since the network went back to the government after PN ran it into the ground.

Rail Travel does not always need to be the gayest way and the train would allow intermediate towns to benefit. Are stations still in existence on the mainline between Burnie and Hobart ?

With respect to commercial passenger services on the Hbt - Lton - B'nie main line, who is supposed to look at it? No one in their right mind would spend money on a feasibility on something so blatantly obviously pointless without a total re-route of the line.

You could have French TGV track quality between Brighton and Antill Ponds, but the line is simply geographically and physically incapable of allowing any competitive speed. Its like expecting the Queensland Tilt train to do what it does without the many, many upgrades and substantial deviations of the Qld. North Coast line over the last few decades. Why do you think there is no commuter service between Brisbane and Toowoomba? Other than the Westlander and odd excursions, that line will be incapable of any competitiveness against the Warrego Highway until the Inland Railway base tunnel is built under the Liverpool Range.

There will be long established commercial rail passenger services between Perth & Albany and/or Geraldton, Adelaide & Mt Gambier and obviously Melbourne and Mildura before Tasmania is ever considered.

The best chance for returning rail travel on the main Tasmanian network would be to reinstate access by the Tourist & Heritage rail operators, efforts to which end, a long running campaign has been running since the PN abandonment of the access agreement in 2005. The best outcomes for intermediate towns would be that as well.

Remaining stations between Hbt / L'ton / B'nie are (south to north to west): Granton; Colebrook, Parattah, Conara Jctn; Western Jctn; East Tamar Jctn and Penguin. There are a few more remaining stations on some of the branches as well.