The single track shouldn't be as big of a problem as they're making out.
Sure, it should be duplicated, but wouldn't it be cheaper and more cost
effective to optimise the signalling first?

The Swiss can run less than ten minute headways on single track sections.
Indeed, parts of the Gotthard line and the Zürich S-Bahn are single track
with trains every few mins. Sure, Swiss freight trains might be (a lot)
shorter than ours, but shorter and lighter trains are easier to schedule on
a busy network. 100% electrification also helps: electric locomotives have
a lot more power available on demand, and can accelerate much quicker than
diesels.

Why can't we do that here, especially on sections that see little freight
traffic (i.e. south of Unanderra)? The Coalcliff tunnel will be a problem
for the foreseeable future, but they knew that in the late 70s/early 80s
when the line was being electrified. There's a distinct lack of political
will to just get on with it already.

Robbie

On 18 Oct 2017 16:30, "prescottt@ymail.com [TramsDownUnder]" < TramsDownUnder@...> wrote:

>

>

> Sarcasm switch on:-

>

>

> http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4995650/theres-

> no-more-space-for-trains-on-south-coast-line/?cs=300

>

>

> There’s no more space for trains on South Coast line

>

> - [image: Glen Humphries]

> http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4995650/theres-no-more-space-for-trains-on-south-coast-line/?cs=300#Glen

> Humphries

> http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/profile/563/glen-humphries

>

> Local News http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/news/local-news/

>

> [image: While the rest of the rail network is set to benefit from an

> increase in services next month, a lack of room on the South Coast line

> will see it miss out.]

> While the rest of the rail network is set to benefit from an increase in

> services next month, a lack of room on the South Coast line will see it

> miss out.

>

> The South Coast line missed out on a share of this week’s“huge” public

> transport upgrade because there’s no room for any more trains.

>

> Earlier this week, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Transport Minister

> Andrew Constance announced the introduction of more than 8600 new weekly

> public transport services across the state

> http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4989081/uows-campelltown-students-benefit-from-bus-boost/

> .

>

> “These changes are huge,” Mr Constance said.

>

> The changes will roll out on November 26 on every train line bar the South

> Coast – where the status quo will remain.

>

> This was because it just wasn’t possible to fit more services on the South

> Coast line in its present form.

>

> “Currently, it is not possible to add more services on the South Coast

> Line due to a number of network constraints, both on the South Coast, and

> within the Illawarra shared suburban corridor,” a Transport for NSW

> spokesman said.

>

> “To enable more train services for our customers, a significant investment

> would need to be made to upgrade existing infrastructure.”

>

> The constraints include the fact that the line is only a single track

> south of Unanderra.

>

> The spokesman said Transport for NSW was aware of the increasing demand

> for train services to and from the Illawarra.

>

> He said investigations on options to improve conditions on the line were a

> “priority”.

>

> “We are working closely with key stakeholders to investigate possible

> options, however this is not a quick fix and requires a lot more planning

> and analysis,” the Transport for NSW spokesman said.

>

> Transport for NSW has already introduced improvements to the South Coast

> line including adding extra carriages to most evening peak trains leaving

> Sydney.

>

> However some commuters have complained about the crowding on early evening

> services from Central.

>

> It also conducted a trial of express stops at Austimner station,

> eventually retaining four stops.

>

>

>

>