For the purposes of this study the east-west rail link across Australia was considered in sections: Sydney to Broken Hill, Broken Hill to Port Pirie (including Adelaide to Peterborough and Adelaide to Port Pirie), The Port Pirie Bogie Exchange and Port Pirie to Kalgoorlie.

For each section the study procedure adopted was similar to that used in previous BTE studies with possible upgrading options evaluated in light of the forecast growth in traffic. Upgradings were evaluated from both a commercial and a resource cost point of view.

• Mainline Upgrading–Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Trans Australia Link
  
  report_035.pdf
  (6.97 MB)

The production and export of wheat is important for Australia and its storage and transport represents a significant load on domestic resources. This report presents the results of a study of the costs of transporting the wheat harvest from the production areas to the ports in order to meet both domestic and international demand.

• Transportation of the Australian Wheat Harvest
  
  report_038.pdf
  (8.8 MB)

The study is based on analysis of all wagon movements in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and on the ComRail system (as it was then) for the month of May 1974. Data editing and analysis has resulted in a detailed assessment of wagon utilisation dissected by wagon type and commodity or traffic carried.

• Railway Freight Operations: Survey of Wagon Utilisation
  
  op_023a.pdf
  (7.12 MB)

This Report is the last of a series on railway mainline upgrading options and covers the evaluation of options for upgrading the standard gauge link between Kalgoorlie and Perth.

The evaluation of upgrading options differs in this case from those previously reported, in that no capacity constraints are envisaged, but severe and continuing track deterioration has occurred between Koolyanobbing and Kwinana as a result of heavy axle loads in the iron ore and wheat trades. Thus the upgrading requirements in this case are concerned with the use of heavy rail and high standard track rather than the capacity to run more trains.

• Mainline Upgrading–Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Kalgoorlie–Perth Rail Link
  
  report_039.pdf
  (3.33 MB)

The uncompleted Sandy Hollow-Maryvale railway in New South Wales has a somewhat chequered history. It was finally begun in 1936 after inquiries stretching back to 1911. Construction was slowed to almost a standstill by World War II, accelerated in the early post war years and then abandoned in 1951 due to a shortage of capital.

Subsequent moves to complete the railway foundered in the face of unfavourable economic assessment.

This report presents the results of an economic benefit-cost analysis of a recent proposal for the completion of the railway against the background of the discovery of massive proven coal reserves along the line.

• Sandy Hollow–Maryvale Railway: Economic Evaluation of Proposed Completion
  
  report_043.pdf
  (4.51 MB)

The study identifies and measures the transport task undertaken for the principal rural products in terms of three variables: tonnes consigned, tonne kilometres performed and freight charges paid by the users. It is considered the study provides valuable insights into the nature and size of the rural product transport task in Australia.

• Estimates of the Task of Transporting Principal Rural Products in Australia in 1975–76
  
  ip_005.pdf
  (5.48 MB)

This Paper reviews the current practice for the design of conventional railway track. Current track design practice has historically developed slowly and is predominantly based upon years of operating experience. Consequently many of the developed design expressions are at best semi empirical in nature. The scope of this report is confined to the design of the track structure above the level of the formation, i.e., rails, sleepers and ballast.

• Railway Track Design: A Review of Current Practice
  
  op_035.pdf
  (13.15 MB)

This Information Paper identifies for 1979–80 the freight movements which occurred on Australian railways and the sizes of particular flows. To a large extent this Information Paper represents an update of an earlier Bureau of Transport Economics (BTE) publication entitled Australian Rail Freight Movements, 1975–76.

• Australian Rail Freight Movements 1979–80
  
  ip_008.pdf
  (6.68 MB)

This report is on the economic and financial benefits and costs of providing standard gauge railway lines to the ports of Brisbane, Melbourne and Geelong. The terms of reference for the study also required the BTE to examine the possible standardisation of the Tocumwal-Mangalore railway line because of the interdependence between the proposed Tocumwal-Mangalore and Melbourne-Geelong links. As a result, the study covered standard gauge links to Fisherman Islands (Brisbane), Swanson Dock (Melbourne) and Geelong, with the latter project including a standard gauge connection between Tocumwal and Mangalore.

• Evaluation of Standard Gauge Rail Connections to Selected Ports
  
  report_054.pdf
  (10.45 MB)

This Paper was commissioned by the Bureau of Transport Economics to expand the Bureau's understanding of the nature and extent of subsidies in Australian transportation. The Paper looks at public transport in Australian cities and some of the methodologies which can be used in the evaluation of benefits and costs arising from changes in fare structures or from changes in service levels. The methodologies and data used were based on publicly available sources with minimum use being made of confidential data or analysis. However, the assumptions underlying this study reflect the author's views and are not necessarily those of the Bureau of Transport Economics.

• Benefits of Urban Public Transport Subsidies in Australia
  
  op_071.pdf
  (5.17 MB)