Smart Passengers

In absence of an overarching grandplan by government to build a subway, some of the private plans that have been mooted - e.g. Sandringham and Glen Waverley lines being submerged, stand a chance of becoming reality at some point in time. Money speaks and there are quite a few dollars worth of real estate involved.

I fear that if any of this cherry picking occurs, a one off opportunity to better design the rail lines would be lost, they will most likely just submerge the rail than consider any rerouting. I'm not completely against it, it is still good for rail to be subemerged in situ and to release the land on top for housing, eliminate level crossings in absence of a redesign.

Personally, I'm all for setting up a company, raising capital (via Superannuation funds) and building Melbournes subway. Not exactly such a straightforward proposal I know, but enterprising people look on obstacles as having potential and don't consign them as roadblocks on the first glance.

I guess this thread is twofold. Firstly to find other people with some vision and a willingness to give it a bash. Secondly to let everyone put in their 10 cents worth on the various considerations.

From a technical point of view re: eliminating level crossings, it is actually more beneficial to the rail network if each station is elevated relative to the rest of the line; this way the incline aids deceleration on arrival and acceleration on departure from the stations.

This effect can also be gained underground, but only if entire sections of track are placed underground at once, rather than one station at a time or similar. However if that does happen, it allows for a rationalisation and.or repositioning of all stations on the given route, as well as a straightening of said route to reduce the intermediate setion lengths.

Of course all this will only make a signifigant difference over a considerably lengthly route; at least 6 or 7 stations before any true value can be accomplished.

Popular to common belief, this is not how the City Loop was designed. Flagstaff is the only one where this occurs, with a minor amount at Parliament. Melbourne Central is the complete opposite.