Newcastle Tram-Train Map

This is an idea for three tram-train lines for Newcastle.

Click on: http://tinyurl.com/hs2xeca

NOTE this will highly likely need the Fassifern to Hexham freight line to be built. Train mode for the tram-trains means it will stop at the tram-train provided stations.

City Tram-Train (CTY)

Tram-Trains & trams

Nobbys Beach - New Wickham/Wickham.

On the side in Foreshore Park to Newcastle Station, on then what SHOULD be the rail line to New Wickham, and Wickham for the Nelson Bay turn-off.

Toronto Tram-Train (TNO)

Tram-trains on the City Line

Tram-train & trains to Fassifern

Tram-trains on the Toronto Branch

Newcastle - Toronto Shops East

Tram mode on the CTY line to “New Wickham”, Train mode to Fassifern. Tram mode to Toronto Station / Toronto Shops East

Tram-train on the Toronto Branch. Re-extends the Toronto Line to the park.

The Booragul big “U” rail curve would be used for tram-trains only. Tram-trains not stopping at Booragul could use the “re-added” & straighter train line between Teralba & Fassifern.

Option for a tram-train only line as shown via Fennell Bay.

Trains will operate most “express trips”.

Cardiff would be “converted” for tram-trains only. All trains that now stop at Cardiff would use a proposed Glendale station – if it ever gets built that is!

All express trains would not stop between Broadmeadow & Fassifern.

A number of added “faster” express trains would not stop at Fassifern.

2. Raymond Terrace Tram-Train (RAY)

Tram-trains on the City Line

Tram-trains & trains to Hexham.

Tram-trains Hexham to Raymond Terrace, Williamtown, Salt Ash

Tram mode on City Line. Train mode to Hexham. Tram mode to Raymond Terrace or Williamtown, Salt Ash.

Raymond Terrace to Williamtown or Salt Ash would be about “half the service.”

Option for trains to also go to Raymond Terrace stopping at Motto Farm & Heatherbrae only

3. Nelson Bay Tram-Train (NBY)

Tram-trains & trains to Salt Ash.

Trains only Salt Ash - Nelson Bay

Tram mode on the City line to Wickham (on the Nelson Bay line)

Train mode Wickham to Salt Ash.

Trains only to Nelson Bay

Loop for tram-trains & trains via Williamtown Airport

Option to extend rail line to either Shoal or Fingal Bays

STOPS IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS = track layout suitable for turnback.

Key to other descriptions in the maps.

New-Canberra-Line-Idea

Canberra via Collector Rail Line idea
Here is a idea for a new Canberra Rail Line idea via Collector that could cut down the travel time of a Sydney Central to Canberra train service.

Click on: http://tinyurl.com/hb76ypw

Stations would be at or near Collector & Sutton, with an option to make the Eagle Hawk timing point a station.

The distances from Goulburn Station in km would be about:-
   Collector Station = 34 km
   Sutton Station = 67.
   The NSW / ACT border = 73

Using a "faster rail" allowing a top speed of 200 kmh on most areas, but with current Xplorer trains going a maximum of 140, the times could be from Goulburn:-
   Collector:                              0h 16m - 0h17m
   Sutton:                                   0h 32m - 0h 33m
   (Eagle Hawk approx:            0h 37m - 0h 38m)
   CANBERRA CENTRE:     0h 46m

Using these times and a straighter route would allow the Xplorers to be used to their full potential for more of the trip between Sydney Central & Canberra.

The current time for the Down (to Canberra Kingston station) is 1hr 35 minutes from Goulburn. These times on a straighter and a faster rail would save 49 minutes.

The current trip from Sydney Central to Canberra Kingston for the Canberra Xplorer services is 4hr 10 to 4hr 18 minutes.

Using the idea of an alignment via Collector allowing for higher speeds may bring the times down to 3hrs 35 mins to 3hrs 53 mins.

While some of the Main South Line needs to be straightened out, these times would allow the Xplorer to more effectively compete with road & coach times. 

PS: The reason why one of them takes 8 minutes longer is that on the weekends the Griffith Xplorer is attached & detached at Goulburn.

Newcastle-tram-lines-idea

This is an idea for modern tram lines in Newcastle.

Click on: http://tinyurl.com/hs2xeca

City Loop (CTY)

Wickham - Newcastle Station on what SHOULD be the rail line - Newcastle Station, through Hunter St Mall.
Stops shown as numbers, no letter prefix.

1. Belmont via Redhead (BEL)

Option 1 via former Redhead station, OR

Option 2 via Redhead streets instead.
Belmont - Swansea "possible" extension shown as part of the Belmont Line.
Stops shown starting with B

2. Reserved for another possible tram line, possible Charlestown via Adamstown

Shown on map as “Adamstown Line” (ADM)

Stops shown starting with A

3. Wallsend Line (WAL)

Wallsend via Jesmond
Stops shown starting with W

4. Mayfield Line (MAY)
Wallsend via Mayfield
Stops shown starting with M

5. Georgetown Line (GEO, or GER)
Waratah Village via Georgetown
Stops shown starting with G

STOPS IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS = track layout suitable for turnback.

Keys to other descriptions in the maps