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Mildura Standard Gauge conversion
Carnot
Minister for Railways
cbinyon
Chief Train Controller
Location: London, England
I have just read a comment of an informed member of a group on Facebook that Stage 3 plans of the project have been altered. This is the order of the shutdown now.
Sea Lake > Korong Vale
(Manangatang stays open into May)
Korong Vale > Dunolly
(Entire lines close)
Manangatang > Korong Vale
(Sea Lake re opens as SG)
According to the comments in the group it was due to industry input and seems more logical in my view to do a staggered approach.
Sea Lake > Korong Vale
(Manangatang stays open into May)
Korong Vale > Dunolly
(Entire lines close)
Manangatang > Korong Vale
(Sea Lake re opens as SG)
According to the comments in the group it was due to industry input and seems more logical in my view to do a staggered approach.
Carnot
Minister for Railways
I have just read a comment of an informed member of a group on Facebook that Stage 3 plans of the project have been altered. This is the order of the shutdown now.That makes much more sense than a total occo for 5 months. It also demonstrates that the Dual Gauging of Maryborough to Dunolly in 1996 was an inspired decision in the end!
Sea Lake > Korong Vale
(Manangatang stays open into May)
Korong Vale > Dunolly
(Entire lines close)
Manangatang > Korong Vale
(Sea Lake re opens as SG)
According to the comments in the group it was due to industry input and seems more logical in my view to do a staggered approach.
james.au
Minister for Railways
Location: Sydney, NSW
I have just read a comment of an informed member of a group on Facebook that Stage 3 plans of the project have been altered. This is the order of the shutdown now.That Manangatang is still open maybe suggests the Mildura line still needs some work on it and Manangatang is still needed for the fruity?
Sea Lake > Korong Vale
(Manangatang stays open into May)
Korong Vale > Dunolly
(Entire lines close)
Manangatang > Korong Vale
(Sea Lake re opens as SG)
According to the comments in the group it was due to industry input and seems more logical in my view to do a staggered approach.
cbinyon
Chief Train Controller
Location: London, England
I heard the fruity was cancelled yesterday but is possibly running today on SG to Mildura.
What I read was the industry players such as Grain handlers and Wakefield's wanted it changed to keep some capacity running as there is still so much grain to be offloaded on both branchlines.
What I read was the industry players such as Grain handlers and Wakefield's wanted it changed to keep some capacity running as there is still so much grain to be offloaded on both branchlines.
Greensleeves
Chief Commissioner
Location: If it isn't obvious by now, it should be.
I have just read a comment of an informed member of a group on Facebook that Stage 3 plans of the project have been altered. This is the order of the shutdown now.That Manangatang is still open maybe suggests the Mildura line still needs some work on it and Manangatang is still needed for the fruity?
Sea Lake > Korong Vale
(Manangatang stays open into May)
Korong Vale > Dunolly
(Entire lines close)
Manangatang > Korong Vale
(Sea Lake re opens as SG)
According to the comments in the group it was due to industry input and seems more logical in my view to do a staggered approach.
Doing it this way allows trains to still run to move all the grain loading that is still up there, and doing the Sea Lake line from the end down still allows them to run to the big sites at Charlton/Nullawil while further north is closed. It would have been doubtful that they could get both the Sea Lake and Manangatang lines done (plus Dunolly to Korong Vale) before the next harvest anyway.
x31
Chief Commissioner
Location: gallifrey
Might be a dumb comment but with Korong Vale to Dunolly closed how will grain trains access the line to the north?
When to expect the next fruity?
When to expect the next fruity?
Greensleeves
Chief Commissioner
Location: If it isn't obvious by now, it should be.
Might be a dumb comment but with Korong Vale to Dunolly closed how will grain trains access the line to the north?Korong Vale to Dunolly isn't closed, and it won't be until the SG gets to Korong Vale from Sea Lake.
When to expect the next fruity?
Dangersdan707
Chief Commissioner
Location: On a Thing with Internet
What is happening with broadway? Should be interesting to see that converted!
Pressman
Spirit of the Vine
Location: Wherever the Tin Chook or Qantas takes me
I took a cruise along the Mallee Highway today.
So a few observations from the Ouyen to Murrayville Branch*
Crews were working at various locations, looks like the Level Crossing just east of Murrayville has just been relayed (on concrete sleepers) track to the east was still at BG
Various locations it was evident that sleepers had been replaced some spots it looked like 1 in 5 other spots the replacement looked more like 1 in 2.
Large crew were about 10kms west of Ouyen and looked like they were moving the rail in.
* I say Murrayville branch because that's exactly what it now is, absolutely NO work west of Murrayville, this line will remain a piece of isolated BG to the Border.
And it wouldn't surprise me to see the Border Level Crossing decommissioned very soon.
So a few observations from the Ouyen to Murrayville Branch*
Crews were working at various locations, looks like the Level Crossing just east of Murrayville has just been relayed (on concrete sleepers) track to the east was still at BG
Various locations it was evident that sleepers had been replaced some spots it looked like 1 in 5 other spots the replacement looked more like 1 in 2.
Large crew were about 10kms west of Ouyen and looked like they were moving the rail in.
* I say Murrayville branch because that's exactly what it now is, absolutely NO work west of Murrayville, this line will remain a piece of isolated BG to the Border.
And it wouldn't surprise me to see the Border Level Crossing decommissioned very soon.
reubstar6
Chief Train Controller
It's sad that they don't convert the line to the border. It couldn't cost much. No doubt this would have been answered somewhere in this thread (but I don't have the time to search), but are there any other reasons why this hasn't been included in the project?
trainbrain
Chief Commissioner
It's sad that they don't convert the line to the border. It couldn't cost much. No doubt this would have been answered somewhere in this thread (but I don't have the time to search), but are there any other reasons why this hasn't been included in the project?simple, no traffic
reubstar6
Chief Train Controller
Would it be worth completing the link as a back up?
Pressman
Spirit of the Vine
Location: Wherever the Tin Chook or Qantas takes me
Would it be worth completing the link as a back up?A back up for what?
The line from Pinnaroo to Tailem Bend has closed for a few years due to a lack of anything to carry.
duttonbay
Minister for Railways
The line has been closed for a few years, but not because there's nothing to carry. It's because the grain handling companies don't want to use rail, possibly aided by GWA who don't want to maintain the track. Plenty of grain gets carried on the highway, which is suffering.Would it be worth completing the link as a back up?A back up for what?
The line from Pinnaroo to Tailem Bend has closed for a few years due to a lack of anything to carry.
james.au
Minister for Railways
Location: Sydney, NSW
This is part of it, but this is if the line goes only to Pinnaroo. If there was more opportunity, eg through to Murrayville etc and even into Mildura, different transport options could be available.It's sad that they don't convert the line to the border. It couldn't cost much. No doubt this would have been answered somewhere in this thread (but I don't have the time to search), but are there any other reasons why this hasn't been included in the project?simple, no traffic
I think that at a minimum, if the track was SG through to Pinnaroo, there would be a decent chance that the GrainFlow site there would send grain into Victoria.
I dont think the states have actively conspired to not make the conversion, but their neglect has achieved the same outcome.
BrentonGolding
Chief Commissioner
Location: Maldon Junction
This is part of it, but this is if the line goes only to Pinnaroo. If there was more opportunity, eg through to Murrayville etc and even into Mildura, different transport options could be available.I don't agree James, I don't think that the Vic government would see it as in Victoria's interest to fund a short cut enabling Vic Mallee farmers and producers to have an option to ship their goods out of Port Adelaide.
I think that at a minimum, if the track was SG through to Pinnaroo, there would be a decent chance that the GrainFlow site there would send grain into Victoria.
I dont think the states have actively conspired to not make the conversion, but their neglect has achieved the same outcome.
It would def be in Victoria's interest for grain to flow from Pinnaroo back to Melbourne via Ouyen however Viterra has a contract with GWA so I can't see them using it (although it is possible, they do work to Dimboola now) and I am not sure that the GrainFlow Pinnaroo site is even on the rail line (it is listed as on the Mallee Hwy but I can't find it on a map)
Opening this route and a second connection SA > Vic would be a great idea and one that I have been advocating for for a while now but I can't see it happening and I think the reasons are political/financial
BG
james.au
Minister for Railways
Location: Sydney, NSW
Totally agree - the connection would be a good thing in terms of providing other opportunities.This is part of it, but this is if the line goes only to Pinnaroo. If there was more opportunity, eg through to Murrayville etc and even into Mildura, different transport options could be available.I don't agree James, I don't think that the Vic government would see it as in Victoria's interest to fund a short cut enabling Vic Mallee farmers and producers to have an option to ship their goods out of Port Adelaide.
I think that at a minimum, if the track was SG through to Pinnaroo, there would be a decent chance that the GrainFlow site there would send grain into Victoria.
I dont think the states have actively conspired to not make the conversion, but their neglect has achieved the same outcome.
It would def be in Victoria's interest for grain to flow from Pinnaroo back to Melbourne via Ouyen however Viterra has a contract with GWA so I can't see them using it (although it is possible, they do work to Dimboola now) and I am not sure that the GrainFlow Pinnaroo site is even on the rail line (it is listed as on the Mallee Hwy but I can't find it on a map)
Opening this route and a second connection SA > Vic would be a great idea and one that I have been advocating for for a while now but I can't see it happening and I think the reasons are political/financial
BG
And yes, Victoria wouldnt want to see leakage from Mildura/Mallee to SA, but I think they've probably not focussed on that leakage, and more on the current traffic that already goes to Victorian ports. If they were really serious, they would have seen the opportunities for Victorian ports and tried to maximise their catchment zone.
But given the ports are all privately owned, i dont think that the government should necessarily be trying to help them in this endeavour though.
Grainflow Pinnaroo is on the line, it has a loading siding about 500m from the border....
BrentonGolding
Chief Commissioner
Location: Maldon Junction
And yes, Victoria wouldnt want to see leakage from Mildura/Mallee to SA, but I think they've probably not focussed on that leakage, and more on the current traffic that already goes to Victorian ports. If they were really serious, they would have seen the opportunities for Victorian ports and tried to maximise their catchment zone.As I see it all the potential traffic for that line would be Vic > SA not visa versa except for grain from Pinnaroo which could be captured by Murrayville or even a short extension to Panitya (stopping just short of the border so it could not be connected to Tailem Bend without Vic permission)
But given the ports are all privately owned, i dont think that the government should necessarily be trying to help them in this endeavour though.
Grainflow Pinnaroo is on the line, it has a loading siding about 500m from the border....
And remember, not all the jobs associated with rail traffic (or road for that matter) to port are in the ports themselves, crews, maintenance etc etc are all Vic based, the government wouldn't want to see them lost. Plus the $$$ charged for paths help maintain the infrastructure.
BG
BigShunter
Chief Commissioner
Location: St Clair. S.A.
Here is a link to some info, on the Pinnaroo GrainFlow site and scroll to the bottom of page for a couple of pictures.
http://www.railfanguide.wancon.com.au/pinnaroo.html
With the current standardising to Murrayville, you would think that was a prime reason for either GrainFlow or Viterra to chip in some money and have the standard gauge, right to the boarder, obviously they didn't think it was viable.
Not sure on volumes of grain up there, but between both site's, would think reasonable large, GrainCorp, after all, developed there site at Murrayville as well as Underbool, so the volumes must be there.
BigShunter.
http://www.railfanguide.wancon.com.au/pinnaroo.html
With the current standardising to Murrayville, you would think that was a prime reason for either GrainFlow or Viterra to chip in some money and have the standard gauge, right to the boarder, obviously they didn't think it was viable.
Not sure on volumes of grain up there, but between both site's, would think reasonable large, GrainCorp, after all, developed there site at Murrayville as well as Underbool, so the volumes must be there.
BigShunter.
mikesyd
Chief Commissioner
Location: Lurking
Has all this grain that has come out of Murrayville by rail in the past few years been grown on the Victorian side of the border?
Is there a possibility that some grain from the SA side (from storage or farm) has been trucked to Murrayville?
I suspect that the answer would only be known by the operators of the Murrayville facility.
Whatever, you don't build a railway line (ie - rebuild and convert beyond Murrayville) without loading being offered, and it presumably has not been, so the SG conversion will presumably end at the baulks just west of Murrayville (they were about 100m beyond the highway level crossing when I looked 2 years ago), with probably a short section of former BG rail removed to make way for a large mound of earth at the end of the truncated line.
Anyway, this thread is about SG conversion of the lines to Yelta and Murrayville, lets concentrate on that before digging up the wish list, which belongs elsewhere.
Is there a possibility that some grain from the SA side (from storage or farm) has been trucked to Murrayville?
I suspect that the answer would only be known by the operators of the Murrayville facility.
Whatever, you don't build a railway line (ie - rebuild and convert beyond Murrayville) without loading being offered, and it presumably has not been, so the SG conversion will presumably end at the baulks just west of Murrayville (they were about 100m beyond the highway level crossing when I looked 2 years ago), with probably a short section of former BG rail removed to make way for a large mound of earth at the end of the truncated line.
Anyway, this thread is about SG conversion of the lines to Yelta and Murrayville, lets concentrate on that before digging up the wish list, which belongs elsewhere.
Donald
Chief Commissioner
Location: Donald. Duck country.
The missing link of 20 metres of track between the main line and the Donald grain sub terminal was completed last week.
PeaCo still have not got their rail tractor back, so are relying on trucks bringing the containers from Dooen.
PeaCo still have not got their rail tractor back, so are relying on trucks bringing the containers from Dooen.
mikesyd
Chief Commissioner
Location: Lurking
Has the branch to Murrayville been completed yet - ie - has a train been out there?
bevans
Site Admin
Location: Melbourne, Australia
The missing link of 20 metres of track between the main line and the Donald grain sub terminal was completed last week.
PeaCo still have not got their rail tractor back, so are relying on trucks bringing the containers from Dooen.
Rail tractor?
Can we assume the hard stand has been completed and most of the yard is now on SG?
Donald
Chief Commissioner
Location: Donald. Duck country.
RT29 went away to be re-gauged in August. It's new wheels had arrived in Melbourne about 3 months ago but has not returned to Donald. I wouldn't imagine it is that difficult to insert new axles into a rail tractor.The missing link of 20 metres of track between the main line and the Donald grain sub terminal was completed last week.
PeaCo still have not got their rail tractor back, so are relying on trucks bringing the containers from Dooen.
Rail tractor?
Can we assume the hard stand has been completed and most of the yard is now on SG?
The yard, less one line that the owner of PeaCo still wanted, is SG.
A good way of keeping traffic off rail and onto the roads. Customers are secondary to costs?
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