The future.....

Further to my last blog, I've been thinking (careful!) about the directions that our beloved DSVN could take into the future. Lets not worry about Very Fast Trains. I'm talking about ideas to improve the current setup.

In my last blog I referred to the sorts of  rail systems that operate in places like Queensland in Australia (birthplace of the D5H class) and South Africa. They operate on 3' 6" track, approximately 3" wider than metre gauge. Thats only about 75 mm. Yet they operate some pretty heavy freight trains and some fast passengers. In particular QR (Queensland Railways) has revolutionised its long distance passenger trains with the introduction of diesel powered 'tilt' trains. As well they operate some pretty heavy locomotives to haul mainline freights.


So metre gauge isn't the problem. Its' the combination of a single line and the construction of the track itself. Doubling the line shouldn't be so expensive. And introducing heavier rail can be carried out as track is repaired and replaced. A lot cheaper than completely rebuilding into standard gauge.

I'll put up some photos next time of what can be achieved on modern narrow gauge.