http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/projects/pt/planning-study-into-a-geelong-ballarat-bendigo-rail-link

http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/projects/pt/planning-study-into-a-geelong-ballarat-bendigo-rail-link

This work is underway. My information suggests the Geelong to Ballarat and Maryborough section will most likely get up.  The Maryborough to Castlemaine is unlikely at this stage and the Castleimaine to Bendigo upgrade (putting the double track back) will most likely be considered.

Regards
Brian 

$2 million down the drain. The study will tell us that work will definitely start some time in the second half of the next century. Then again, if we can find $200 million for a 5km monorail for 100 people a day, a billion or two won't be hard to find to run trains for a few dozen. I suggest people look at the bus loadings between Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo (2 daily services on weekdays).

I suggest people look at the bus loadings between Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo (2 daily services on weekdays).

Very true, the current bus loads could not justify reopening the Geelong-Ballarat line.

However what I hope will come from these 'studies' undertaken by 'professionals', is whether or not patronage would increase if these services were operated by train rather then bus and how much faster (and therefore more attractive) rail would be compared to bus between Ballarat and Geelong.....or Ballarat and North Shore.

     

Let's just wait and see shall we?

I mean what really needs to happen?  The track between Gheringhap and Ballarat is in quite good condition.  I would however re-install points at point where the line meets the Ballarat to Ballan railway line for additional flexibility.

 The railway stations should not cost billions to being back into service

Any new loop work is required anyhow,

Regards
Brian 

Given that the Geelong-Ballarat line is used very regularly for freight you'd think there would be almost zero trackwork required to get a passenger service running, but the real question is what kind of speed would you get?  Is the line (both in level of maintenance and in curves etc) capable of running a VLo at top speed?

You might get a decent share of trips away from those who go by car but only if it's faster than (or at least as fast as) going by car.  Half-assing it and introducing a slow service because they couldn't be bothered upgrading the track would be a complete waste of time and money.

Would it be particularly difficult to bring the old stations back into service?  I know a few are private residences of one sort or other (I think one's a B&B?) but were they sold or just leased?  If they have to build stations from scratch it will bump up the price tag considerably, you'd assume.

Given that the Geelong-Ballarat line is used very regularly for freight you'd think there would be almost zero trackwork required to get a passenger service running, but the real question is what kind of speed would you get?  Is the line (both in level of maintenance and in curves etc) capable of running a VLo at top speed?

You might get a decent share of trips away from those who go by car but only if it's faster than (or at least as fast as) going by car.  Half-assing it and introducing a slow service because they couldn't be bothered upgrading the track would be a complete waste of time and money.

Would it be particularly difficult to bring the old stations back into service?  I know a few are private residences of one sort or other (I think one's a B&B?) but were they sold or just leased?  If they have to build stations from scratch it will bump up the price tag considerably, you'd assume.

To get a Vlo at full speed, they'd have to do some serious work, like what was done during the RFR works on other lines- TPWS etc. They'd be more likely to go with line speed around 100Kph I'd think.

Geelong to Gheringhap would be a real thorn in the side though with the dual gauge.

I think the best rolling stock for the line would be Sprinters. The track should be right for 100kmh running as it is Class 3 track. No point wasting a VLocity when expected patronage is low.

Bannockbu