David Benton wrote:it would leave about a 80 km gap , George . It would be logical to complete this gap , and so allow continuouis electrical service as far south as palmerston north . That would also provide a link to the norths largest power station at huntly , where most of the power would come from .
unfortunately there will be alot of politics involved . the government and the rail operator toll , are already fighting over how much should be charged for the existing electrfication . Toll are saying they dont need it and to rip it out . The govt would like to see it kept for enviromental reasons . defintely their coalition partner the greens would have a dim view of it been pulled .
As far as the overlander goes , it probably wouldnt make alot of difference . unless some cheap emu rolling stock could be found to replace the existing carriages .
I suppose I was thinking about the British West Coast mainline.
During the 1960s the Glasgow suburban system was electrified but the mainline was not electrified from Crewe to Motherwell. I can remember changing trains at Motherwell.
But of course there was already a plan to complete the electrification between Crewe and Glasgow.
Since privatisation electrification has ceased. One of the Train Operating Companies even said they would like to pull it out on the East Coat mainline. They have not succeeded, and since that thought the price of oil soared (electricity also). But even small infill schemes have been dropped as they have become enormously expensive.
The Greens should stick to their policy. Oil is not going to go down again. China's demand is going to keep the price high.
