Victoria - Tasmania railway

[Bravus]

If Melbourne to Hobart isn't justifiable, what about Darwin to Indonesia or Australia to New Zealand?

LOL

[f-t11344271]

If Melbourne to Hobart isn't justifiable, what about Darwin to Indonesia or Australia to New Zealand?

Which route would you take to New Zealand, a direct 2140km Sydney to Auckland tunnel, a 1900km tunnel from Sydney and new track along the north island, or tunnels from Cape Otway to King Island, Tasmania, the south island and under Cook Strait to Wellington?

The Melbourne to Wellington route would have tunnels 95, 84, 1600 and 20km respectively plus extensive surface track.

But remember that New Zealand use a 1067mm gauge so tunnelling from Brisbane might be an equally sensible idea.

[xtrapolis954m]

SNIP
But remember that New Zealand use a 1067mm gauge so tunnelling from Brisbane might be an equally sensible idea.

Or Perth…

[Mr. V/Line]

If Melbourne to Hobart isn't justifiable, what about Darwin to Indonesia or Australia to New Zealand?

LOL

I don't see anything funny.

These are hypothetical ideas Bravus. If you think that the topic or ideas being discussed are ludicrous, please don't participate. Quite simply you have absolutley nothing positive to say and your posts are a watse of space.

But remember that New Zealand use a 1067mm gauge so tunnelling from Brisbane might be an equally sensible idea.

If people use the service a lot then it might be worth it. As countries become more populated, time can only tell. Possibly we should think about fixing up our own rail syatem before going overseas.

If its possible a tunnel could be built from Darwin to Indonesia then through to Thailand (and possibly other countries) which would connect Australia to Asia. Though it's sounds totally unrealistic, China and other countries have sophisticated high-speed railway networks. It would be fantastic if a TGV like service provided.

[tcl]

<snip>
If its possible a tunnel could be built from Darwin to Indonesia then through to Thailand (and possibly other countries) which would connect Australia to Asia. Though it's sounds totally unrealistic, China and other countries have sophisticated high-speed railway networks. It would be fantastic if a TGV like service provided.

Then that would open the door for a rail-only journey from Australia to Europe and Africa if one so desired...

[f-t11344271]

If Melbourne to Hobart isn't justifiable, what about Darwin to Indonesia or Australia to New Zealand?

LOL

I don't see anything funny.

These are hypothetical ideas Bravus. If you think that the topic or ideas being discussed are ludicrous, please don't participate. Quite simply you have absolutley nothing positive to say and your posts are a watse of space.

I'm not sure that Beavus is being a buthead.
I think he's answering your question - Darwin to Indonesia and Australia to New Zealand rail tunnels are even less justifiable than a Melbourne to Tasmania tunnel.
Even my idea of a rail link for New Zealand's two main islands wouldn't be economically feasible for a country with such a small population.

[Valvegear]

A tunnel from Victoria to Tasmania sounds like something Jules Verne might have written.

[woodward]

Hmmm..... Jules Verne hmmmmmmmm.............

Some rough distances shortest distance between land points across bass strait would be Cape Otway to Cape Wickham on King Island around 90 kilometers. From a few kilometers east of Stokes Point King Island to Hunter Island off Cape Grim North East coast of Tasmania is around 80 kilometers. Maximum depth of water is between Cape Otway and King Island between 75 to 90 metres. Depth South of King Island deeper than 50 metres.

Another path to consider would be Cape Wellington, Wilsons Prom to the Hogan group of islands 44 kilometers, ventilation point may be a short above ground section, from there to the Kent group 42 kilometers short above ground section, kent group to Cape Frankland, Flinders Island 55 kilometres. 60 kilometers above ground on Flinders Island, 5 kilometer tunnel to Cape Barren Island 5 kilometers of above ground track. Say 2 kilometer bridge to Clarke Island then finally a 24 kilometer tunnel to Cape Portland, Be a nice picturesque run that..... This path is slightly shallower than the Western path.

Given the rail tunnels that have been built in the last decades or so the project would likely be technically feasible. Unlikely ever to be economic though, one can never say never though no one knows what the future will bring. Not even politicians.

[Unauthorised Officer]

Agreed.
2 forms of transport to Tassie
1. Day trip or overnight trip to Devenport on the Spirit of Tasmania
2. Quick 45 min Flight to Tassie.

Extract from ABS.
AIR PASSENGER MOVEMENTS

In 2007-08, most air passenger movement in Tasmania occurred in and out of Hobart airport (1.8 million) and Launceston airport (1.1 million), compared with Devonport airport (98,700) Burnie (Wynyard) airport (95,300), King Island (31,300) and Flinders Island (18,200).

During the period 2003-04 to 2007-08, most of the main airports in Tasmania experienced a substantial increase in the number of passengers boarding or departing by major domestic and regional airlines. Launceston experienced the highest percentage change (64.7%), with an increase in air passenger movements from 671,900 in 2003-04 to 1.1 million in 2007-08. Flinders Island followed with an increase from 11,600 to 18,200 (56.9%); Hobart from 1.2 million to 1.8 million (43.5%); King Island from 23,200 to 31,300 (34.9%); and Burnie (Wynyard) from 89,700 to 95,300 (6.2%) . Devonport (-15.6%) experienced decreased air passenger movement during the same period.

BASS STRAIT FERRY MOVEMENTS

In 2007-08, the TT-Line completed 804 voyages across Bass Strait, carrying 385,028 passengers, 177,265 vehicles and 85,594 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of freight. This was a substantial decrease from the number of voyages, passengers and vehicles in 2006-07.
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You can look at the numbers for 07/08 and think to yourself, are these numbers justified for a rail service to tassie via the mainland
and what percentage of those numbers would actually use rail to tassie, and what type of rail service will be.
Compared say Melbourne and Sydney will much higher than this
The current form of transport is sufficient to meet the needs.