Maryborough...what about me....

[bok]

Whilst VicSig is a great Forum it may not have the opportunities and variety of thread headings which are available in RP.

So start some?

[gd]

If and when (if ever) Gheringhap - Mildura ever goes sg then the Ballarat - Maryborough DMU would simply be run as standalone sg DMU with passengers changing trains at Ballarat to the bg Melbourne - Ballarat service . No big deal .

For SG to Mildura you don't need to touch between Maryborough and Ballarat, instead head to Ararat at Maryborough following the existing SG. That way you have best of both worlds for the foreseeable future.

[The Vinelander]

Whilst VicSig is a great Forum it may not have the opportunities and variety of thread headings which are available in RP.

So start some?

I wish I could, if I knew where to glean the information.

EG, as an Amtrak fan, I miss TonyMercury's North America thread which has all the latest goings on and plans for the future in North America, especially since Pres Obama has announced $Billions for high speed rail projects.

Mike.

[woodward]

Thanks MOM and all for the welcome...

Whilst VicSig is a great Forum it may not have the opportunities and variety of thread headings which are available in RP.

Mike.

If Railpage stays off much longer Vicsig is likely to catch up. There appears to be a clear move to here since RP failed.

[Mount Sirfeel]

If and when (if ever) Gheringhap - Mildura ever goes sg then the Ballarat - Maryborough DMU would simply be run as standalone sg DMU with passengers changing trains at Ballarat to the bg Melbourne - Ballarat service . No big deal .

For SG to Mildura you don't need to touch between Maryborough and Ballarat, instead head to Ararat at Maryborough following the existing SG. That way you have best of both worlds for the foreseeable future.

This could be an option for converting the Dunolly to Kulwin and Robinvale to standard gauge, as It opens up a direct link to Portland (sand) but the journey from Maryborough to Gheringhap would be Increased by about 90 km's

[wongm]

On Saturday I noted the following:
- new siding at Clunes in place, about 100 metres long and with about 10 metre clearance from the main lune
- loop road at Talbot disconnected, points removed at the down end and possibly the up. New level crossing predictors in place for the main highway
- both points at Sulky loop removed
- Tourello loop still in use.

[BLOCKO]

Siding is 140m in length will have a derail/crowder.

[VRCoils]

Very recent information indicates that some additional funding may be available that will be directed towards including a loop.

The obvious is to retain Tourello and power signal it. If that was to done there could be a major change to arrangements as there will no longer need to be a follow on feature available at Talbot, Clunes or Creswick. The Ballarat to Maryborough section divided at Tourello would offer one follow on point and a loop, which, from an operational point of view would be a superior arrangement. The engineering siding at Clunes could be moved if this was to occur because the signals that were to be provided at Clunes to both protect the siding and split the section may not be justified.

The tenders for signalling works close at the end of this month and therefore any change to the scope will require changes to the tendering arrangements. Since passenger services are to return some time in July, the existing signalling will remain until the new works are ready for commissioning. This will probably mean that because the regulator will not approve passenger operations over trailable facing points, Tourello loop will be abolished soon and reopen under power signalling.

[vicsig]

Where would the control of the signalling for Ballarat - Maryborough be from?

Does Maryborough need to have a new CBI commissioned for the stabling siding, or can that be commissioned on the existing interlocking as a temporary measure?

[BLOCKO]

Where would the control of the signalling for Ballarat - Maryborough be from?

Does Maryborough need to have a new CBI commissioned for the stabling siding, or can that be commissioned on the existing interlocking as a temporary measure?

The proposal is for the signalling to be controlled from Centrol however some want local control from Maryborough.

I believe the Kerang recommendation will win over.

The existing interlocking is ok but is nearing the of its life needing for a major overhaul plus I believe the policy is any major works the interlocking must be upgraded to CBI so yes the sidings could come in with the existing interlocking.

The tenders havent closed yet so no work has started on the design so there is no hope of a CBI this year.

You could run trains tomorrow although it would be 50Km/h for a long stretch due to the level crossings also there is a 30Km/h bridge restriction near Maryborough.

There is no proposal for a crossing loop as there is no commercial demand for the ability to cross.

Companies now take a more pragmatic view of infrastructure such as risks and the cost of maintaining the infrastructure for its life expectancy.

[VRCoils]

It is V/line policy set at the highest levels of the organisation that all new and altered signalling systems having control will be remotely operated from Centrol in Melbourne.

It is V/Line signal engineering policy to not alter existing relay interlockings for anything other than very minor works. The Maryborough works are significant. The relay room in the station is to be abolished and a CBI controlled from melbourne will be provided.

The crossing loop is definately back on.

[Mount Sirfeel]

The crossing loop is definately back on.

Crossing loop where ?
Maryborough or Tourello ?

[BLOCKO]

It is V/line policy set at the highest levels of the organisation that all new and altered signalling systems having control will be remotely operated from Centrol in Melbourne.

It is V/Line signal engineering policy to not alter existing relay interlockings for anything other than very minor works. The Maryborough works are significant. The relay room in the station is to be abolished and a CBI controlled from melbourne will be provided.

The crossing loop is definately back on.

Thats correct all control should be from Centrol and that comes from the CEO however some are debating that in management based on what will happen to the Signallers. I believe as I have stated before that Centrol will control the signalling but I will wait and see when it happens.

You cannot buy relay interlockings any more all companies sell the CBI and its DOT policy.

There has been no alteration to the tender for the signalling to provide a crossing loop and I've been told its not a serious consideration.

[VRCoils]

You cannot buy relay interlockings any more all companies sell the CBI and its DOT policy.

I don't think you understand how these things are configured. You can certainly build your own relay locking or you can seek tenderers to build such an interlocking. The technology is not obsolete and the hardware is not discontinued. The reason that CBis are prefered relates to initial costs (which are not always competitive), easy of alterating, add-ons such as logging and options for user interfaces and the general principle of trying to run a modern railway without using less than state of the art equipment.

The meeting I attended yesterday indicated that it was a serious proposal, and that the present tender will stand becaue it closes at the end of the month. At present it is inappropriate for me to comment further as details are under negotiation.

[BLOCKO]

You cannot buy relay interlockings any more all companies sell the CBI and its DOT policy.

I don't think you understand how these things are configured. You can certainly build your own relay locking or you can seek tenderers to build such an interlocking. The technology is not obsolete and the hardware is not discontinued. The reason that CBis are prefered relates to initial costs (which are not always competitive), easy of alterating, add-ons such as logging and options for user interfaces and the general principle of trying to run a modern railway without using less than state of the art equipment.

The meeting I attended yesterday indicated that it was a serious proposal, and that the present tender will stand becaue it closes at the end of the month. At present it is inappropriate for me to comment further as details are under negotiation.

After 36 years of Safeworking and signalling I certainly understand but companies are not interested in selling relay interlockings they want to sell there CBI products.

Unless the tender is out for a crossing loop its really no more than speculation. To include a crossing loop will dramatically alter the cost and the proposal for the tenders signalling arrangements.

Thats a major change!!