Just to preface - like the title says, this is all foam. Nothing in this post (or I suspect the entire thread) is going to happen, it’s stuff that I would like to happen and think is theoretically possible. There are better and more pressing uses for money than this.
With that said, I’ve been thinking a lot about local rail services in areas other than SEQ recently. Especially in areas where the infrastructure is preexisting, I do think a local train service is an option worth considering as these cities grow. As an illustrative example to hopefully generate some discussion (and because I wanted to make something in Inkscape) I’ve sketched out this quick map.
I’m envisioning this would be operated by something like a 2-car Stadler RS-0 or similar DMU/BEMU train. The core of the network (Freshwater to Edmonton) may have to be double tracked in parts, but I’m expecting largely single-track operation to start, with passing loops at stations as required. Track upgrades would also obviously be involved in order to bring any slow sections up to speed.
Stations would mostly be 2-car long, single platform affairs to save on construction costs. I’m also assuming bus transfer bays & a bus network redesign to create more of a feeder model which would drive patronage. Assuming you can get a roughly 60km/hr average speed travel should be competitive with driving, and at 50c a trip I suspect that’s probably a tempting proposition for a lot of people.
The whole northern line up to Palm Cove is a LOT shakier of a proposal than the one out to Redlynch, as it’d be all new build track as opposed to upgrades of existing track. I’m envisioning branching just after Freshwater, crossing the Barron river, then joining up with state route 44 and following it (either to one side, in the median, or elevated) up to Palm Cove. Not only would this be much more expensive, there’s also lower density here, less possibility of population growth (due to the national park & ocean), and overall just worse prospects. Make of that what you will.
Other miscellaneous details:
- Redlynch station would be moved down the line to where Larsen road ends, enabling a short walk to the shopping centre
- Some very rough maths puts around 4k people within 800m of most of these stations, but I am assuming their catchments all get upzoned for higher density
- Cairns station would probably need to be rebuilt to have 3 platforms (given you’d have 2 local train lines + terminating Spirit of Qld & Kuranda trains)
- The frequency and hours for this system are entirely on a whim. I figured 15-minute service on the trunk is pretty good and anything more feels unrealistic, ignoring that this whole proposal is.
Anyway, thoughts? Other regional cities that you want more trains in? Scathing criticisms of my idle daydreaming? Go wild