Transport
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Impact and opportunity for VGR tourist railway
The coronavirus pandemic has forced the Victorian Goldfields Railway to suspend all of its advertised passenger service until the end of June. The VGR has also had to halt its project taking up the old disused main line track between Guildford and Castlemaine for recycling on part of its tourist line. “We’re not happy with…
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Growth groan – Riddell rail under pressure
Train users are feeling the squeeze of Riddells Creek’s service as commuters from outside the town descend to take advantage of cheaper fares, and service pressure is about to increase. It’s not uncommon for Gisborne, Macedon and Mount Macedon commuters to board at Riddells Creek to slash their fare, but impending population growth for the…
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‘REINSTATE THE RAILWAY’
Rail campaigners are calling for the Castlemaine-Guildford railway line to be reopened to trains as part of a vision to reinstate the rail connection linking Maryborough to Ballarat and the port of Geelong. Scott Ramsay, the prominent spokesperson for the Rail Revival Alliance, has renewed the call as the old and outdated track between Guildford…
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Railway maneuvres
Victorian Goldfields Railway volunteers have begun dismantling the old Castlemaine-Guildford railway track before re-using the rails to upgrade the Castlemaine-Maldon tourist railway. The project that started last week opens up interesting questions as to the future of the Castlemaine-Guildford corridor and, more pointedly, the currently disused Castlemaine-Maryborough passenger line that it’s part of. Starting at…
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Woodend intersection dubbed a ‘lesson in irresponsible planning’
A notorious Woodend intersection has been dubbed “a lesson in irresponsible planning” as it moves up Macedon Ranges Council’s priority list. Users of the High/Urquhart Street intersection have reported an alarming number of ‘near misses’ and say it’s the result of “development not done right”. They contend with main street congestion, a confusing layout with…
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On track to tackle plastic waste
Local tourism railways have played a key role in the development of innovative recycled plastic sleepers that may ultimately help solve the nation’s wider recycling crisis. Castlemaine’s Victorian Goldfields Railway and the Victorian Miniature Railway at Harcourt have both been involved in trialing or using the innovative railway sleepers made in Mildura by Integrated Recycling…
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Traffic plan draws criticism
A Kyneton residents group has criticised a council plan to manage increased traffic flow through the town as new housing estates and infill development are expected to see the population reach 10,000 by 2036. The draft Kyneton Movement Network Study, currently on public exhibition, aims to guide and provide the transport infrastructure needed to cope…
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Respect our cyclists: road aggro alarm
Castlemaine health professionals, parents and cyclists are calling for more care and respect on our roads following recent incidents of motorist aggression towards local cyclists. Castlemaine chiropractor Dr Marg Peck and psychologist Susie Burke both have cycling sons who regularly train on the roads, and they contacted the Midland Express to raise concerns about incidents…
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This project was picked!
A project engaging local teenagers to help build Australia’s biggest miniature railway at Harcourt has won a $198,000 boost, emerging as one of the state’s Pick My Project winners. The $198,000 sum will soon to be used to build a replica of the historic Maryborough railway station – complete with six platforms – as part…
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Fuel prices skyrocket
Victorians have been hit by the biggest surge in fuel prices in more than a decade. RACV motoring experts explain why this has happened and offer some fuel-saving tips. Leanne Tolra Fuel prices in Melbourne last week hit 167.9 cents a litre and averaged a four-year high, just as the school holidays began. RACV vehicle…
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Slow down – Residents call for speed reduction
The speed limit on Ranters Gully Road at Muckleford is dangerous and needs to be lowered to avoid an accident, concerned residents of the thoroughfare say. Eight of the residents living on the popular lifestyle strip signed a petition, which was presented to Mount Alexander Shire Council at its July meeting, calling for the limit…
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Crossing risks real
Victorian Goldfields Railway volunteers were on edge again last Saturday night with a night train event running and safety concerns about the Bendigo-Maldon level crossing not yet met. Andrew Reynolds from VGR said the railway had run a number of trains at night and at odd hours of the day in the past few weeks…