How Close Did Australia Get to High Speed Rail?

Australia, with its vast distances and growing urban populations, has long been evaluating the potential for integrated high-speed rail networks. While several ambitious proposals have been discussed, only a few have moved beyond the planning stage.

Key Projects and Their Fate

Australian rail projects like the Very Fast Train project, the Speedrail project, and the Sydney-Canberra Airport proposal are notable attempts that remained in the planning phase. A comprehensive list of past and ongoing high-speed rail initiatives can be found here.

One of the most intriguing stories from this era is the experience with the Swedish high-speed tilting train, the X2000, imported in 1995. This train operated on the Sydney-Canberra service for eight weeks during which it served a relatively short route. CountryLink, the then train operator, was enthusiastic about the potential it held for high-speed travel. However, the project was soon abandoned due to the inadequacy of the existing rail corridor. The winding alignment of the track, which was not suitable for high-speed operations, was identified as a major barrier to adopting the X2000 in a more extensive capacity.

Government Studies and Proposals

In 2013, the Australian Government released a detailed study proposing a high-speed rail corridor between Brisbane and Melbourne. While this proposal garnered attention, it remains largely on paper, with no substantial implementation. This highlights the ongoing interest and discussions around high-speed rail in Australia, but also the challenges in translating these ideas into tangible infrastructure.

Currently, some parts of the Australian rail network do manage to operate at higher speeds compared to the average. Notable among these are the Tilt Trains in Queensland, the XPT in New South Wales, the VLocity in Victoria, and the WDA/WDB/WDC class in Western Australia. The XPT, in particular, is based on the British Intercity 125, one of the world's fastest diesel locomotives. However, even these trains with high-speed capabilities often operate within speed limits imposed by the existing tracks.

Record-Setting Trains

The Electric Tilt Train in Australia holds the country's rail speed record, having achieved a top speed of 209.9 km/h on a test run in 1999. This trains' ability to reach such high speeds demonstrates the technical potential of rail travel in Australia. However, these achievements remain exceptional and do not represent widespread high-speed rail services.

Current State of High Speed Rail in Australia

Despite the numerous evaluations and proposals, actual high-speed rail implementation remains elusive. The NSW state election in particular saw discussions on major rail line upgrades in Newcastle and between Sydney and Wollongong. While the plan aims to allow trains to travel in the 160-200 km/h range, it is part of a longer-running idea that has yet to see fruition, indicating a continued reliance on limited-speed rail infrastructure.

The cost-benefit analysis suggests that high-speed rail projects need significant government subsidies to become financially viable. Without substantial funding, these projects remain ambitious but unattained goals.

While the current state of high-speed rail in Australia may not be as advanced as one might hope, the plans and discussions continue, pointing to a future where high-speed rail could play a more significant role in the country's transportation landscape.

Conclusion

Australia's journey towards high-speed rail has been one of incremental progress and continuous discussion. While several projects have shown promise, translating these ideas into actual infrastructure remains a challenge. The ongoing debates and proposals indicate that high-speed rail remains a key component of future transportation planning in the country.