http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2010/02/no-plans-to-change-sa-gauge/ The Authoritative African Rail Publication Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:58:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2010/02/no-plans-to-change-sa-gauge/comment-page-1/#comment-1902 Phil Collins Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:11:45 +0000 http://www.railwaysafrica.com/?p=9445#comment-1902 A reaignment of tracks, cutting out sharpish curves, more tunnels and bridges (instead of hugging the landscape) would probably achieve the same results as a shift to standard guage - and cost much less. The main advantage of broader gauges is surely the ability to go double-deck or double stack with greater stability. A reaignment of tracks, cutting out sharpish curves, more tunnels and bridges (instead of hugging the landscape) would probably achieve the same results as a shift to standard guage – and cost much less. The main advantage of broader gauges is surely the ability to go double-deck or double stack with greater stability.

]]> http://www.railwaysafrica.com/2010/02/no-plans-to-change-sa-gauge/comment-page-1/#comment-1899 John Morgan Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:36:48 +0000 http://www.railwaysafrica.com/?p=9445#comment-1899 If Mr Wells was correctly reported on the issue of gauge, and only said ...."will allow faster speeds", them I'm afraid that TFR's Management is out of touch with the reality and the scope of the narrow gauge problem. Faster speeds are only one of the benefits of standard gauge; the major benefits however relate to being able to operate double-stack container wagons, to be able to source more powerful and efficient locomotives, to not pay a premium for narrow gauge rolling stock (freight or passenger), to be able to source relatively cheap secondhand rolling stock, to achieve higher levels of safety (overturning) - the list goes on and on. So I am afraid that if this is considered view of TFR Management, goodbye TFR, you are now well on the slippery slope! If Mr Wells was correctly reported on the issue of gauge, and only said ….”will allow faster speeds”, them I’m afraid that TFR’s Management is out of touch with the reality and the scope of the narrow gauge problem.
Faster speeds are only one of the benefits of standard gauge; the major benefits however relate to being able to operate double-stack container wagons, to be able to source more powerful and efficient locomotives, to not pay a premium for narrow gauge rolling stock (freight or passenger), to be able to source relatively cheap secondhand rolling stock, to achieve higher levels of safety (overturning) – the list goes on and on.
So I am afraid that if this is considered view of TFR Management, goodbye TFR, you are now well on the slippery slope!

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