"The operations of a railway system can often be enhanced by the introduction of improved technology. Clearly the benefits of the new technology should more than compensate for its costs.

The introduction of the 2CM freight bogie would enhance the operations of the Australian railways, however the question of the value of the benefits in relation to the additional costs has been a vexed one. This report has been prepared with the object of clarifying the economic merits of the 2CM bogie."

• The 2CM Freight Wagon Bogie–an Appraisal
  
  report_023.pdf
  (3.47 MB)

Government railways in Australia operate in all mainland States and Territories. Interstate movement of freight over the rail network is a potentially important method of transportation within the nation. However, intersystem railway arrangements operate against a background of State railways providing predominantly intrastate freight services. This report presents the results of a study of intersystem railway freight rating practices as they apply to a particular area of New South Wales.

• Study of Intersystem Railway Freight Rating Practices
  
  report_025.pdf
  (9.57 MB)

Because of separate development by the individual States, the Australian railway network contains links of a number of different gauges.

For this reason bogie exchange facilities have been established at several locations including two in South Australia, at Port Pirie and Peterborough, where the State broad gauge system meets the interstate standard gauge system.

The intention of these exchanges is to allow ready transfer of loaded and unloaded freight wagons from one system to the other. Traffic through the exchange at Port Pirie has increased to the extent that difficulties are being experienced in handling it.

• Study of Port Pirie Bogie Exchange
  
  report_026.pdf
  (3.77 MB)

This study is one of a series concerned with the evaluation of upgrading options for inter-capital rail links in Australia.

Analysis indicated that the Sydney to Brisbane line is already exhibiting signs of congestion and, given the expected traffic growth, will become seriously congested in the mid-1980s unless upgrading action is taken. The range of upgrading options considered include grade easement, centralised traffic control and crossing loop extensions.

• Mainline Upgrading–Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Sydney–Brisbane Rail Link
  
  report_029.pdf
  (2.18 MB)

In this Report a number of options for the railway line between Adelaide and Serviceton have been evaluated. This work complements that previously undertaken on the Melbourne to Serviceton link.

There appears to be little likelihood of congestion on this link sufficient to justify major upgrading within the next twenty years although some minor loop extensions and the introduction of Centralised Traffic Control are justified now. There is no economic justification for any of the Project Peregrine schemes considered for the Adelaide Hills sections.

• Mainline Upgrading–Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Adelaide to Serviceton Rail Link
  
  report_030.pdf
  (2.18 MB)

The Government rail systems in Australia provide a number of intersystem rail passenger services which cater for intra and interstate travellers. These services are potentially important sources of income for the rail systems concerned.

This Report presents the results of a study of the profitability of the East-West rail passenger services specifically covering the Indian Pacific and Trans Australian trains.

• Study of East–West Rail Passenger Services: The 'Indian Pacific' and 'Trans Australian'
  
  report_031.pdf
  (4.89 MB)

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 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)

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)