Adelaide Hills rail bypass - Discussion and news

[robbie1203]

Just wish i could afford to live track-side in the Adelaide Hills.Just on a rise and on a bend.

[secret agent]

Mr Hamilton-Smith predicts it will be a federal election issue.

"We need to see an alternative freight route at some point in the future that takes that freight rail traffic out of Adelaide, it's as simple as that," he said.

"I'm representing the seat of Waite along this line and it is driving the constituents of Waite mad having this freight traffic their 24 hours a day seven days a week, it's just not good enough."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010 ... 934406.htm

Federal election issue I doubt that very much. Canberra have bigger fish to fry.

Take rail out of Adelaide and you can kiss Adelaide goodbye, how does he think his Weetbix etc get to the state, so that he can buy it, it does not come all the way on a truck to the shop from where it is made!

24 hours a day I would like to see that, there are times when you might not see a train up there for hours at a time.

This stinks of a beat up though, this is as bad or worse than Isobel Redmond's gaffe's about rail. They need to get someone who knows what they are talking about before they open their big fat mouth's and put their foot in it as usual.

[fabricator]

"It's not designed for huge freight trains. In some cases ... they need three engines to pull them up the hill.

2-3 engines seems pretty common, its the one with 7 locos that happen in "some cases".

[robbie1203]

This will never be an election issue...it is just a local member trying to find favour with a privileged few....and why not....he has little else to offer now.
The 2billion dollars that will be required is simply not available at this point in time...and probably never will be.

The Adelaide Hills rail line has been there for over a hundred years and any new resident would have known that.
Maybe Mr Hamilton-Smith can pass the "hat" around the local seat and see what they can come up with!
I wish him well.....really.

[secret agent]

Probably end up with 20 cents in 5 cent pieces, a couple of buttons and a handful of washers!

[tomato]

MEDIA RELEASE
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government

24 June 2010
AA413/2010

Study Of Adelaide's Rail Freight Network Completed
I have today released the Adelaide Rail Freight Movement Study, honouring our 2007 election commitment and completing one of the most comprehensive reviews into the rail infrastructure needs of the Adelaide region.

The Study's key finding is that the existing line will have the capacity to handle the expected freight traffic up until at least 2025.

Nonetheless we're determined to get the long term planning right and not repeat the mistake of the past. Before any major change to one section of the interstate network can be contemplated we need to ascertain its implications for the whole.

That's why we will submit the Study to:
- Infrastructure Australia for them to consider as they work to finalise the National Freight Network Strategy by the end of this year - a strategic blueprint which will guide our future long term investment decisions; and
- The South Australian Government so they can consider its findings for possible inclusion in its strategic planning for the state.

This Labor Government has been a strong supporter of rail.
Through our Nation Building Program, we're investing almost $9 billion in the nation's passenger and freight rail infrastructure - a tenfold increase when compared to the former government.
This is more than just an investment in new sleepers, track, passing loops, boom gates and signalling technology; it's an investment in a more productive and prosperous Australia.

I thank the members of the Project Reference Group for their local insights and knowledge as well as those members of the local community that took the opportunity to have their say.
The full Study can be downloaded from: http://www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/projects/ProjectDetails.aspx?Project_id=RAIL002

URL: http://www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au/aa/releases/2010/June/AA413_2010.htm

[Alyx]

Thanks for posting that tomato.

From the final report:

Option 1 - Upgrade existing route:
Freight operations would continue to use the Adelaide Hills section but it would be upgraded, including grade separation at level crossings, additional passing loops, and improvements to tunnels and bridges over the rail line, and to the tunnel and bridge at Murray Bridge, to permit double-stacking. Initiatives would be undertaken to reduce the social impact of freight operations on the surrounding communities.
Estimated cost: $700m
Transit time: 13 hours

Option 2 - Northern bypass, north of Truro:
This new route would bypass the existing Adelaide Hills section between Murray Bridge and Two Wells by travelling north of Truro. The route would begin just to the west of Murray Bridge and re-join the existing alignment near Two Wells. This route is mostly at ground level and on flat plains area.
Estimated cost: $2.9b
Transit time: 12.9 hours

Option 3 - Northern bypass, south of Truro:
This new route would bypass the existing Adelaide Hills section between Murray Bridge and Two Wells by travelling generally in the same alignment as 2 above but south of Truro. The route begins its ascent of the ranges further to the south than Option 2 and passes to the south of Truro. This route is mostly at ground level and on flat plains area with the same design characteristics as Option 2 but it is 18 km shorter and has fewer steep sections than Option 2. As with Option 2, freight operations on the Adelaide Hills section would also cease with this option.
Estimated cost: $2.4b
Transit time: 12.6 hours

Option 4 - Southern bypass:
This new alignment would be to the south of the existing rail alignment to avoid the built-up residential areas in the Hills. From Callington it would head west passing Flaxley and Wistow to the south of Mt Bold Reservoir; then it would head north near Kangarilla and Clarendon to the east of Happy Valley Reservoir and would connect with the current freight alignment just south of Cross Road. It would be constructed with the same design characteristics as the other new routes. About 22 km of this alignment is in tunnel (the longest section is 15 km), starting shortly after the Cross Roads level crossing. The tunnelling takes the line to the south away from residential areas, and then comes to the surface near Kangarilla to meet up with the existing alignment near Callington31. Option 4 also involves the cessation of freight operations on the Adelaide Hills section, and the construction of a new bypass route.
Estimated cost: $3.0b
Transit time: 11.2 hours

Option 5 - Upgrade existing alignment + Northern Bypass, south of Truro:
Option 5 is a combination of Option 1 and Option 3. Like Option 1, it includes improvements to the existing route to increase operating efficiency and reduce social impact. As per Option 3 it includes a new northern bypass on the route to the south of Truro.
Estimated cost: $3.2b
Transit time: 13 hours

Map:

[witsend]

The way I read that, is that the line will make use of some of the Kapunda/Eudunda/Roberstown Alingment. It is still not a particularly efficient route in either direction, south or North of Truro. The Southern Bypass doesn't look much better. You'd have to be looking at Electric Traction for that section, because a 15km tunnel, you just can't diesel that well, despite technology.

Nope. I'm afraid Mitcham Council and associated NIMBYs.... You are <censored>. $700m to upgrade the existing line is still going to look good in a bean counters eyes, and the government is run by them

[rhino]

Option 3 is interesting - pouring over topo maps of the area, I can't find a route along their line that is "mostly at ground level and on flat plains area". Looks like a heck of a lot of earthworks required, to me.

Good to see Option 1 looks like it will be going ahead. Looking forwar to Ambleside Loop.

I assume that the times mentioned at the end of each option are Melbourne-Adelaide times? Or are they? Will a train really be able to get from Murray Bridge to Adelaide quicker, via Truro and Two Wells, than via Mount Barker Junction?

[robbie1203]

Interesting information and even i could understand it all.
It will take some persuasion from our local Pollies to get the Feds to part with 3 billion dollars for minimal advantage.
The report says the existing rail alignment is sufficient until 2025..with much less capital expenditure.

Looks like the Hills Dwellers will have to put up with existing conditions for some years hence.

What Federal cash is available will most likely be spent on improving the Eastern Seaboard rail freight network between Melbourne,Sydney and Brisbane.
That is my hunch anyway.

[fabricator]

Code: Select all

# Cost Benefit Result
1  700   230    -470
2 2900   N/A   N/A
3 2400   767   -1633
4 3000  1195   -1805
5 3200  1055   -2145

As you can see, option 4 has the most benefit, due in large part to cutting the journey time from 13 hours to 11.2 hours, and benefits to transport operators.

[witsend]

If upgrades can be made to allow a faster average speed between Monarto and Melbourne, such a Passing Loop (ie 10km of double track) at key locations, this would also help the various operators. Stopping and waiting for a cross doesn't help.

Ambleside will help, however, I feel that double tracking between the Western End of the proposed loop to the Eastern end of Mt Barker Loop would actually have had more benefit, particularly with more strategically place signalling, so level crossings weren't blocked.

Look at the Overlands running time on Saturday. It leaves Southern Cross at 8:10am (CST), still crosses a couple of trains, and arrives in Keswick at 5:45pm (CST), making a total trip time of 9hrs 35 minutes, including short stops, and a crew change, along the existing line, making an average speed of 86km/h. Now granted, it has a premium path all the way.

I understand there are many trains at night, and they have to pass. 13 hours means an average sped of 64km/h (based on 828km), hence the slower trip time.

Best Case vs Worst Case. How can you improve the worse case?

[Alyx]

Operators servicing the Adelaide to Melbourne route may be able to put fears of increased rail competition to rest if the final Adelaide Rail Freight Movements Study report is accepted.

The report, compiled by consultancy firm GHD for the federal transport department, concludes that even the cheapest upgrade − improving the tortuous existing rail path through the Adelaide Hills − is not cost effective.

GHD researchers found even the most productive of the five options studied would provide benefits of $190m over 30 years, compared with construction costs for the five of between $700m and $3.2bn each.

“While there are benefits flowing to rail track managers, train operators and the communities that surround the rail line, the size of these benefits is modest and the size of the capital outlay required to generate such benefits is large, particularly in the new alignment options,” the report says.

The current alignment has a capacity of 10.7 million tonnes of freight a year, which is more than double the 4.8 million tonnes a year currently carried on the rail line.

However, steep grades and tight curves force trains to travel more slowly and to use 50 percent more locomotive power per tonne than on other interstate rail freight corridors, the report says.

They also restrict trains to a maximum of 3,500 tonnes gross.

The terrain of the Adelaide Hills causes greater locomotive and wagon wear and tear and higher maintenance costs than would be incurred with a straighter, flatter alignment.

Responses from the Australian Trucking Association and the Australasian Railway Association to the report were awaited at deadline today.

http://www.supplychainreview.com.au/new ... 68323.aspx

[robbie1203]

I doubt that the majority of freight between capitals needs to delivered within 24 hours of dispatch.If that is the case then AIR EXPRESS is what is needed...and pay a premium rate.
I am talking bulk or large items of freight of course.Parcel freight can always be done by the "overnighters".
By saving an hour or so with steel.wheat or similar bulk loads..what is actually achieved?
I remain somewhat confounded by the "need for speed" with most of our interstate freight.
You will know more..i am sure.

[witsend]

It's called "Just In Time" delivery. It's all the rage. Basically, retailer carries as little stock as they can get away with, wholesaler carries a little more than that, and basically everything is ordered basically as needed. Save heaps of money on warehouses. It's much cheaper sitting on the dock.

It's a boon for freight companies, but it comes with very tight timelines.