Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
Apr 28th 2002, 7:10 pm
#91
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
What major country is investing in rail? Most are merely replacing wornout systems,
and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas freight trains run with up
to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains are lucky to have 20
wagons. We just do not have the loads that start close to a railway line.
Worries about used jap diesels poluting our cities are rubbish as most is blown
straight out to sea. Why anyone would want to buy a used diesel in NZ is hard to
understand.
"Rex Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] says...
> > it's called rail privatisation and the cutting of unprofitable routes not
> > supported by govt subsidy.
> >
> >
> Started with Richard Prebbles of NZ Rail way back.
>
> Amazing that the major countries invest in rail in order to move goods and people
> around efficiently.... NZ seems to going the other way.....more trucks on poor
> roading system
>
> No longer can it claim to be clean and green, especially with all the used Jap
> import diesel cars with their clocked odometers.
>
> Rex
and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas freight trains run with up
to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains are lucky to have 20
wagons. We just do not have the loads that start close to a railway line.
Worries about used jap diesels poluting our cities are rubbish as most is blown
straight out to sea. Why anyone would want to buy a used diesel in NZ is hard to
understand.
"Rex Morrow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> [email protected] says...
> > it's called rail privatisation and the cutting of unprofitable routes not
> > supported by govt subsidy.
> >
> >
> Started with Richard Prebbles of NZ Rail way back.
>
> Amazing that the major countries invest in rail in order to move goods and people
> around efficiently.... NZ seems to going the other way.....more trucks on poor
> roading system
>
> No longer can it claim to be clean and green, especially with all the used Jap
> import diesel cars with their clocked odometers.
>
> Rex
Apr 28th 2002, 8:40 pm
#92
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
"Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> What major country is investing in rail? Most are merely replacing wornout systems,
> and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas
freight
> trains run with up to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains are
> lucky to have 20 wagons. We just do not have the loads that
start
> close to a railway line.
Most trucking co's have freight depots where freight is despatched onto main roads
via trucks., Most freight arriving into cities is marshalled at the same depots and
distributed through cities by whatever means.
Railway lines are often very close to these depots. Trucks are subsidised and rail is
not, that is the simple reason that trucks dominate New Zealand roads the way the do.
> What major country is investing in rail? Most are merely replacing wornout systems,
> and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas
freight
> trains run with up to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains are
> lucky to have 20 wagons. We just do not have the loads that
start
> close to a railway line.
Most trucking co's have freight depots where freight is despatched onto main roads
via trucks., Most freight arriving into cities is marshalled at the same depots and
distributed through cities by whatever means.
Railway lines are often very close to these depots. Trucks are subsidised and rail is
not, that is the simple reason that trucks dominate New Zealand roads the way the do.
Apr 28th 2002, 9:10 pm
#93
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
Neil Raines <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> What major country is investing in rail? Most are merely replacing wornout systems,
> and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas
freight
> trains run with up to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains are
> lucky to have 20 wagons. We just do not have the loads that
start
> close to a railway line.
There's major investment in heavy rail systems in France, the UK and Germany. There's
major investment in building brand new light rail and urban transport systems in most
EU countries, notably including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy,
Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and UK. There's similar development and
investment in Australia, Canada and USA.
Most logging traffic could and should be moved by rail - so removing an enormous
amount of damage to local and main roads and reducing the number of accidents. If the
present rail operators can't make a living off rail freight, then at least part of
their problem is that they're not trying hard enough. But it might help if truckers
were made to pay their full costs instead of living off fat subsidies from the
taxpayers.
Most places in the world have realised that effective transport cakls for a mix of
modes. What we have at present doesn't work - and it's obvious that just making the
same mistakes all over again still won't work.
>
> Worries about used jap diesels poluting our cities are rubbish as most is blown
> straight out to sea. Why anyone would want to buy a used diesel in
NZ
> is hard to understand.
Perhaps because diesel costs a lot less per litre than petrol?
Philip
> What major country is investing in rail? Most are merely replacing wornout systems,
> and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas
freight
> trains run with up to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains are
> lucky to have 20 wagons. We just do not have the loads that
start
> close to a railway line.
There's major investment in heavy rail systems in France, the UK and Germany. There's
major investment in building brand new light rail and urban transport systems in most
EU countries, notably including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy,
Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and UK. There's similar development and
investment in Australia, Canada and USA.
Most logging traffic could and should be moved by rail - so removing an enormous
amount of damage to local and main roads and reducing the number of accidents. If the
present rail operators can't make a living off rail freight, then at least part of
their problem is that they're not trying hard enough. But it might help if truckers
were made to pay their full costs instead of living off fat subsidies from the
taxpayers.
Most places in the world have realised that effective transport cakls for a mix of
modes. What we have at present doesn't work - and it's obvious that just making the
same mistakes all over again still won't work.
>
> Worries about used jap diesels poluting our cities are rubbish as most is blown
> straight out to sea. Why anyone would want to buy a used diesel in
NZ
> is hard to understand.
Perhaps because diesel costs a lot less per litre than petrol?
Philip
Apr 28th 2002, 9:10 pm
#94
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
Two of Aucklands major industrial areas are East Tamaki and Rosebank Road, neither
are anywhere near a railway line. Depots are usually used for smaller loads less than
a pallet. I have worked for companies whose customers sometimes requested rail and it
was a real hastle compared to road.
The problem for rail in NZ is that even our "medium" companies are very small by US
or European standards and we just cannot generate the volumes. It is not economic to
transship loads nor collect just 1 wagon from a private siding.
"Graeme Butler" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > What major country is investing in rail? Most are merely replacing
wornout
> > systems, and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas
> freight
> > trains run with up to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains
> > are lucky to have 20 wagons. We just do not have the loads that
> start
> > close to a railway line.
>
> Most trucking co's have freight depots where freight is despatched onto
main
> roads via trucks., Most freight arriving into cities is marshalled at
the
> same depots and distributed through cities by whatever means.
>
> Railway lines are often very close to these depots. Trucks are subsidised and rail
> is not, that is the simple reason that trucks dominate New
Zealand
> roads the way the do.
>
are anywhere near a railway line. Depots are usually used for smaller loads less than
a pallet. I have worked for companies whose customers sometimes requested rail and it
was a real hastle compared to road.
The problem for rail in NZ is that even our "medium" companies are very small by US
or European standards and we just cannot generate the volumes. It is not economic to
transship loads nor collect just 1 wagon from a private siding.
"Graeme Butler" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > What major country is investing in rail? Most are merely replacing
wornout
> > systems, and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas
> freight
> > trains run with up to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains
> > are lucky to have 20 wagons. We just do not have the loads that
> start
> > close to a railway line.
>
> Most trucking co's have freight depots where freight is despatched onto
main
> roads via trucks., Most freight arriving into cities is marshalled at
the
> same depots and distributed through cities by whatever means.
>
> Railway lines are often very close to these depots. Trucks are subsidised and rail
> is not, that is the simple reason that trucks dominate New
Zealand
> roads the way the do.
>
Apr 28th 2002, 9:40 pm
#95
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
In article <[email protected]>, "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote:
> The problem for rail in NZ is that even our "medium" companies are very small by US
> or European standards and we just cannot generate the volumes. It is not economic
> to transship loads nor collect just 1 wagon from a private siding.
Don't containers solve these problems?
-- Bruce
> The problem for rail in NZ is that even our "medium" companies are very small by US
> or European standards and we just cannot generate the volumes. It is not economic
> to transship loads nor collect just 1 wagon from a private siding.
Don't containers solve these problems?
-- Bruce
Apr 28th 2002, 10:40 pm
#96
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
> There's major investment in heavy rail systems in France, the UK and Germany.
These are renewing old exisiting systems. Not new routes
There's major investment in building brand new light rail and urban
> transport systems in most EU countries, notably including Belgium,
Denmark,
> France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and UK.
> There's similar development and investment in Australia, Canada and USA.
At huge susidised costs. All these are in densely populated cities. I know about
light rail because I used to work for ABB which was a major player in rail systems.
>
> Most logging traffic could and should be moved by rail - so removing an enormous
> amount of damage to local and main roads and reducing the number
of
> accidents.
Logging trucks are loaded in the forest, not at some factory built with its own
rail siding.
These are renewing old exisiting systems. Not new routes
There's major investment in building brand new light rail and urban
> transport systems in most EU countries, notably including Belgium,
Denmark,
> France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and UK.
> There's similar development and investment in Australia, Canada and USA.
At huge susidised costs. All these are in densely populated cities. I know about
light rail because I used to work for ABB which was a major player in rail systems.
>
> Most logging traffic could and should be moved by rail - so removing an enormous
> amount of damage to local and main roads and reducing the number
of
> accidents.
Logging trucks are loaded in the forest, not at some factory built with its own
rail siding.
Apr 28th 2002, 10:40 pm
#97
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
No.
1 container= 1 wagon, so same problem. Few NZ customers order a container load of
goods for delivery to a single destination
"Bruce Hoult" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > The problem for rail in NZ is that even our "medium" companies are very small by
> > US or European standards and we just cannot generate the
volumes.
> > It is not economic to transship loads nor collect just 1 wagon from a private
> > siding.
>
> Don't containers solve these problems?
>
> -- Bruce
1 container= 1 wagon, so same problem. Few NZ customers order a container load of
goods for delivery to a single destination
"Bruce Hoult" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > The problem for rail in NZ is that even our "medium" companies are very small by
> > US or European standards and we just cannot generate the
volumes.
> > It is not economic to transship loads nor collect just 1 wagon from a private
> > siding.
>
> Don't containers solve these problems?
>
> -- Bruce
Apr 28th 2002, 11:40 pm
#98
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
"Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
>
>
> >
> > There's major investment in heavy rail systems in France, the UK and Germany.
>
> These are renewing old exisiting systems. Not new routes
>
No they are brand new routes built specifically for high speed. They typically
involve new track, stations and rolling stock with gentle grades, no grade crossings
and wide turns to allow 300km/hr running. Typically the old rights of way remain in
use for commuter and freight traffic.
In total over 7000km of new high speed rail track has been laid in Europe in the last
20 years and another 3000 km in Japan
Keith
>
>
> >
> > There's major investment in heavy rail systems in France, the UK and Germany.
>
> These are renewing old exisiting systems. Not new routes
>
No they are brand new routes built specifically for high speed. They typically
involve new track, stations and rolling stock with gentle grades, no grade crossings
and wide turns to allow 300km/hr running. Typically the old rights of way remain in
use for commuter and freight traffic.
In total over 7000km of new high speed rail track has been laid in Europe in the last
20 years and another 3000 km in Japan
Keith
Apr 29th 2002, 7:10 pm
#99
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
"Keith Willshaw" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:1020075038.28692.0.nnrp-13.3e31...ws.demon.co.uk...
>
> "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> >
> >
> > >
> > > There's major investment in heavy rail systems in France, the UK and Germany.
> >
> > These are renewing old exisiting systems. Not new routes
> >
>
> No they are brand new routes built specifically for high speed. They typically
> involve new track, stations and rolling stock with gentle grades, no grade
> crossings and wide turns to allow 300km/hr running. Typically the old rights of way
> remain in use for commuter and freight traffic.
>
> In total over 7000km of new high speed rail track has been laid in Europe in the
> last 20 years and another 3000 km in Japan
>
> Keith
>
I stand corrected on the new track, but where would NZ require such trains, and our
mountainous terrain would make the expense many times the cost of France or Germany.
We have so few people and the cost is the same for 3 million of 30 million
news:1020075038.28692.0.nnrp-13.3e31...ws.demon.co.uk...
>
> "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> >
> >
> > >
> > > There's major investment in heavy rail systems in France, the UK and Germany.
> >
> > These are renewing old exisiting systems. Not new routes
> >
>
> No they are brand new routes built specifically for high speed. They typically
> involve new track, stations and rolling stock with gentle grades, no grade
> crossings and wide turns to allow 300km/hr running. Typically the old rights of way
> remain in use for commuter and freight traffic.
>
> In total over 7000km of new high speed rail track has been laid in Europe in the
> last 20 years and another 3000 km in Japan
>
> Keith
>
I stand corrected on the new track, but where would NZ require such trains, and our
mountainous terrain would make the expense many times the cost of France or Germany.
We have so few people and the cost is the same for 3 million of 30 million
Apr 29th 2002, 9:10 pm
#100
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
"Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> >
> I stand corrected on the new track, but where would NZ require such
trains,
> and our mountainous terrain would make the expense many times the cost of France or
> Germany. We have so few people and the cost is the same for 3 million of 30 million
>
I agree with you, I was just putting the record straight. More commensurate with the
needs of a country like NZ would be lightweight DMU units like the Sprinter
Keith
> >
> I stand corrected on the new track, but where would NZ require such
trains,
> and our mountainous terrain would make the expense many times the cost of France or
> Germany. We have so few people and the cost is the same for 3 million of 30 million
>
I agree with you, I was just putting the record straight. More commensurate with the
needs of a country like NZ would be lightweight DMU units like the Sprinter
Keith
Apr 30th 2002, 12:40 am
#101
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
"Keith Willshaw" <keith@kwillshaw_.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1020149104.17128.0.nnrp-10.9e98...ws.demon.co.uk...
>
> "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > I stand corrected on the new track, but where would NZ require such
> trains,
> > and our mountainous terrain would make the expense many times the cost
of
> > France or Germany. We have so few people and the cost is the same for 3 million
> > of 30 million
New Zealand moves millions of tonnes of logs, dairy products, steel, livestock,
deadstock etc.etc.etc. It is not just about moving people.
86 million tonnes into Tauranga last year, most trucked in. Apparently a truck
arrives or leaves the Taurnaga city boundary every 41 seconds.
Trucks on the road between Tauranga and pretty much anywhere are a hazard. Lots of
accidents, major and minor involve trucks.
> >
>
> I agree with you, I was just putting the record straight. More commensurate with
> the needs of a country like NZ would be lightweight DMU units like the Sprinter
>
> Keith
news:1020149104.17128.0.nnrp-10.9e98...ws.demon.co.uk...
>
> "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > >
> > I stand corrected on the new track, but where would NZ require such
> trains,
> > and our mountainous terrain would make the expense many times the cost
of
> > France or Germany. We have so few people and the cost is the same for 3 million
> > of 30 million
New Zealand moves millions of tonnes of logs, dairy products, steel, livestock,
deadstock etc.etc.etc. It is not just about moving people.
86 million tonnes into Tauranga last year, most trucked in. Apparently a truck
arrives or leaves the Taurnaga city boundary every 41 seconds.
Trucks on the road between Tauranga and pretty much anywhere are a hazard. Lots of
accidents, major and minor involve trucks.
> >
>
> I agree with you, I was just putting the record straight. More commensurate with
> the needs of a country like NZ would be lightweight DMU units like the Sprinter
>
> Keith
Apr 30th 2002, 2:40 am
#102
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
"Graeme Butler" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Keith Willshaw" <keith@kwillshaw_.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:1020149104.17128.0.nnrp-10.9e98...ws.demon.co.uk...
> >
> > "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > > >
> > > I stand corrected on the new track, but where would NZ require such
> > trains,
> > > and our mountainous terrain would make the expense many times the
cost
> of
> > > France or Germany. We have so few people and the cost is the same for
3
> > > million of 30 million
>
> New Zealand moves millions of tonnes of logs, dairy products, steel, livestock,
> deadstock etc.etc.etc. It is not just about moving people.
>
> 86 million tonnes into Tauranga last year, most trucked in. Apparently a truck
> arrives or leaves the Taurnaga city boundary every 41 seconds.
>
> Trucks on the road between Tauranga and pretty much anywhere are a hazard. Lots of
> accidents, major and minor involve trucks.
>
>
Yeah but you dont need dedicated high speed lines built to TGV standards to move
that freight.
Keith
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Keith Willshaw" <keith@kwillshaw_.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:1020149104.17128.0.nnrp-10.9e98...ws.demon.co.uk...
> >
> > "Neil Raines" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > > >
> > > I stand corrected on the new track, but where would NZ require such
> > trains,
> > > and our mountainous terrain would make the expense many times the
cost
> of
> > > France or Germany. We have so few people and the cost is the same for
3
> > > million of 30 million
>
> New Zealand moves millions of tonnes of logs, dairy products, steel, livestock,
> deadstock etc.etc.etc. It is not just about moving people.
>
> 86 million tonnes into Tauranga last year, most trucked in. Apparently a truck
> arrives or leaves the Taurnaga city boundary every 41 seconds.
>
> Trucks on the road between Tauranga and pretty much anywhere are a hazard. Lots of
> accidents, major and minor involve trucks.
>
>
Yeah but you dont need dedicated high speed lines built to TGV standards to move
that freight.
Keith
Apr 30th 2002, 8:40 am
#103
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
"Peter Ashby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news
[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, "Keith Willshaw"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Luton requires you to get a bus from the Airport Parkway station to the airport
> > and the journey time is about the same.
>
> No, Luton has had its own Thameslink station for at least 2 years now.
>
Which is 1.8 km from the Airport terminal and called Luton AIrport Parkway
There's a bus from one to tother
Keith
news
[email protected]...> In article <[email protected]>, "Keith Willshaw"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Luton requires you to get a bus from the Airport Parkway station to the airport
> > and the journey time is about the same.
>
> No, Luton has had its own Thameslink station for at least 2 years now.
>
Which is 1.8 km from the Airport terminal and called Luton AIrport Parkway
There's a bus from one to tother
Keith
Apr 30th 2002, 8:40 am
#104
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
In article <[email protected]>, "Keith Willshaw"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> "Peter Ashby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news[email protected]...
> > In article <[email protected]>, "Keith
> > Willshaw" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > > Luton requires you to get a bus from the Airport Parkway station to the airport
> > > and the journey time is about the same.
> >
> > No, Luton has had its own Thameslink station for at least 2 years now.
> >
>
> Which is 1.8 km from the Airport terminal and called Luton AIrport Parkway
>
> There's a bus from one to tother
Hmm. maybe as the bus drives it's 1.8km but it certainly isn't that far to walk it.
Are you sure you aren't confusing it with Luton town station that you used to have to
get a bus to?
Peter
--
Peter Ashby Wellcome Trust Biocentre University of Dundee, Scotland Reverse the Spam
and remove to email me.
<[email protected]> wrote:
> "Peter Ashby" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news
[email protected]...> > In article <[email protected]>, "Keith
> > Willshaw" <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > > Luton requires you to get a bus from the Airport Parkway station to the airport
> > > and the journey time is about the same.
> >
> > No, Luton has had its own Thameslink station for at least 2 years now.
> >
>
> Which is 1.8 km from the Airport terminal and called Luton AIrport Parkway
>
> There's a bus from one to tother
Hmm. maybe as the bus drives it's 1.8km but it certainly isn't that far to walk it.
Are you sure you aren't confusing it with Luton town station that you used to have to
get a bus to?
Peter
--
Peter Ashby Wellcome Trust Biocentre University of Dundee, Scotland Reverse the Spam
and remove to email me.
Apr 30th 2002, 9:40 am
#105
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Dramatically Depleted Rail Services in N.Z.
In article <[email protected]>, "Philip Crookes"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Neil Raines <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > What major country is investing in rail? Most are merely replacing wornout
> > systems, and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas
> freight
> > trains run with up to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains
> > are lucky to have 20 wagons. We just do not have the loads that
> start
> > close to a railway line.
>
> There's major investment in heavy rail systems in France, the UK and Germany.
I think RE-investment to maintain/replace existing infrastructure rather than brand
new investments (other than the Eurostar fast link)
> There's major investment in building brand new light rail and urban transport
> systems in most EU countries, notably including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,
> Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and UK. There's similar
> development and investment in Australia, Canada and USA.
Very limited in North America.
> Most logging traffic could and should be moved by rail - so removing an enormous
> amount of damage to local and main roads and reducing the number of accidents. If
> the present rail operators can't make a living off rail freight, then at least part
> of their problem is that they're not trying hard enough. But it might help if
> truckers were made to pay their full costs instead of living off fat subsidies from
> the taxpayers.
bringing logs to rail adds another handling step and delay in shipping. Might be
easier to send logs by road to the nearest rail rather than bring them to the nearest
rail head.
> Perhaps because diesel costs a lot less per litre than petrol?
New diesel, especially direct injection, seems great. I didn't like diesels myself
but my experience with a Citroen direct injection diesel car changed my mind.
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Neil Raines <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> > What major country is investing in rail? Most are merely replacing wornout
> > systems, and all have higher population densities than NZ. Overseas
> freight
> > trains run with up to 100 wagons, so are very efficient, wheras most NZ trains
> > are lucky to have 20 wagons. We just do not have the loads that
> start
> > close to a railway line.
>
> There's major investment in heavy rail systems in France, the UK and Germany.
I think RE-investment to maintain/replace existing infrastructure rather than brand
new investments (other than the Eurostar fast link)
> There's major investment in building brand new light rail and urban transport
> systems in most EU countries, notably including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,
> Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and UK. There's similar
> development and investment in Australia, Canada and USA.
Very limited in North America.
> Most logging traffic could and should be moved by rail - so removing an enormous
> amount of damage to local and main roads and reducing the number of accidents. If
> the present rail operators can't make a living off rail freight, then at least part
> of their problem is that they're not trying hard enough. But it might help if
> truckers were made to pay their full costs instead of living off fat subsidies from
> the taxpayers.
bringing logs to rail adds another handling step and delay in shipping. Might be
easier to send logs by road to the nearest rail rather than bring them to the nearest
rail head.
> Perhaps because diesel costs a lot less per litre than petrol?
New diesel, especially direct injection, seems great. I didn't like diesels myself
but my experience with a Citroen direct injection diesel car changed my mind.
