(Vic.) Future of the Warrnambool Rail Service

Paul Nicholson wrote:

> I understand some former WCR conductors are currently being trained by
> V/Line. Were the WCR operating practises different to V/Line?

They're being inculcated in V/Line's corporate culture - hide in the
conductor's compartment when any problems occur :-)

Paul Westcott

"Paul Westcott" <p_gwestcott@REMOVETOREPLYoptusnet.com.au> wrote in message
news:4115C9AC.353DC5EF@REMOVETOREPLYoptusnet.com.a u...
> Paul Nicholson wrote:
>
> > I understand some former WCR conductors are currently being trained by
> > V/Line. Were the WCR operating practises different to V/Line?
>
> They're being inculcated in V/Line's corporate culture - hide in the
> conductor's compartment when any problems occur :-)
>
> Paul Westcott
>
Now that really makes sense. Spend millions on trying to reopen the Ararat,
Bairnsdale, Mildura ? and Leongatha ? lines and let an existing line sink
because of lack of planning. It's crazy.

EJ wrote:

> "Paul Westcott" wrote in message
>
> > Paul Nicholson wrote:
> >
> > > I understand some former WCR conductors are currently being trained by
> > > V/Line. Were the WCR operating practises different to V/Line?
> >
> > They're being inculcated in V/Line's corporate culture - hide in the
> > conductor's compartment when any problems occur :-)
> >
>
> Now that really makes sense. Spend millions on trying to reopen the Ararat,
> Bairnsdale, Mildura ? and Leongatha ? lines and let an existing line sink
> because of lack of planning. It's crazy.

Well, my source wasn't completely correct. V/Line announced yesterday the form
of the new Warrnambool service. It will maintain three daily return Melbourne
- Warrnambool services, but noting a "shortage of trains", the announcement
goes on to say:

"As a result, all Geelong services are maintained but the service alteration
requires the temporary replacement of two Geelong trains with express coaches:

X the 8.55 am from Geelong to Spencer Street; and
X the 6.08 pm from Spencer Street to Geelong.

Customer Services Manager, Ms Margot Dickie said:

'Obviously we would prefer to be able to return full train services. However,
without the West Coast trains ruled as unsafe to operate, there is simply not
enough rolling stock available at present to provide a direct replacement for
the Melbourne-Geelong-Warrnambool services.

'As soon as we have more trains available in the first half of 2005, we will
return to the previous timetable. Until then, this is the best possible
outcome.' "

Paul Westcott