ML-1 Railways project under CPEC to be completed in 3 phases

[ASKardar]

 

[Path-Finder]

why not 200 kmh? Even so it's a mega improvement.

 

[FuturePAF]

So we are keeping the same track gauge? A major part of the upgrade will be signals and managing between freight and passenger trains. I hope they upgrade the Bridges (and add them in areas of soft soil; to prevent wash outs that cause huge loss of life) and build underpasses in the cities and towns, so people and large animals don't try to cross the tracks.

why not 200 kmh? Even so it's a mega improvement.

200 kmh require a high quality track and more expensive trains. 160 kmh trains seems like a good fit for Pakistan. The train should be at a price point that is comparable to the Bus but only slightly more to account for getting to a destination that much sooner.

160 kmh allows the uses of modern but still just "higher" speed regular trains, and not true "high speed trains"; hence we can still use our standard carriages if need be.

the best example of this kind of engine is the Siemens Charger. Very popular as a budget solution. I have traveled on the American Acela train (a high speed train) and a train pulled by the Siemens US variant. from New york to DC was 3 hours with Acela and 3 and half hours on the standard train in 3 hours 30 minutes. the track quality makes most of the difference. also the topography. if there is even a moderate curve in the path the train has to slow down dramatically.

keeping the track straight as much as possible with proper bridging and tunnels, and managing when freight and passenger trains run will make most of the difference, then the track quality, then the actual train quality.

once we get good infrastructure built, we should get double deck trains to maximize passengers carried to lower costs per ticket.

This is a reasonable train system to emulate; a sleek cover on a siemens charger with service as the primary focus.

 

[war&peace]

why not 200 kmh? Even so it's a mega improvement.

Because it would be too expensive for Pakistan though I would have opted for 200 km because you don't build such infrastructure any time soon. So I hope that the track will designed for for 250+ kph so we can upgrade to 200+ kph trains.

 

[Path-Finder]

So we are keeping the same track gauge? A major part of the upgrade will be signals and managing between freight and passenger trains. I hope they upgrade the Bridges (and add them in areas of soft soil; to prevent wash outs that cause huge loss of life) and build underpasses in the cities and towns, so people and large animals don't try to cross the tracks.



200 kmh require a high quality track and more expensive trains. 160 kmh trains seems like a good fit for Pakistan. The train should be at a price point that is comparable to the Bus but only slightly more to account for getting to a destination that much sooner.

160 kmh allows the uses of modern but still just "higher" speed regular trains, and not true "high speed trains"; hence we can still use our standard carriages if need be.

the best example of this kind of engine is the Siemens Charger. Very popular as a budget solution. I have traveled on the American Acela train (a high speed train) and a train pulled by the Siemens US variant. from New york to DC was 3 hours with Acela and 3 and half hours on the standard train in 3 hours 30 minutes. the track quality makes most of the difference. also the topography. if there is even a moderate curve in the path the train has to slow down dramatically.

keeping the track straight as much as possible with proper bridging and tunnels, and managing when freight and passenger trains run will make most of the difference, then the track quality, then the actual train quality.

once we get good infrastructure built, we should get double deck trains to maximize passengers carried to lower costs per ticket.

This is a reasonable train system to emulate; a sleek cover on a siemens charger with service as the primary focus.

Because it would be too expensive for Pakistan though I would have opted for 200 km because you don't build such infrastructure any time soon. So I hope that the track will designed for for 250+ kph so we can upgrade to 200+ kph trains.

Apparently the track can have trains of speeds upto 260 kph, so its not an issue.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1874604/2-pakistan-railways-lay-high-speed-double-track/

 

[war&peace]

Apparently the track can have trains of speeds upto 260 kph, so its not an issue.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1874604/2-pakistan-railways-lay-high-speed-double-track/

Wow, I should have wished for something even better because 250+ ≈ 260
That's great then... I have no complaints because when the economy becomes better which it inshaAllah will after the completions of projects, we can have better engines and trains that can travel 220+ kph and that's good enough speed and when we have a lot better economy, we can have even faster HSRs.

 

[FuturePAF]

While the Chinese contractor and local sub-contractors works on building the physical infrastructure of the tracks and signals, The Railways ministry should be working on maximizing the freight to be transported over these tracks, so we can pay back the loan. Mideast to China trade (non-hydrocarbon) should be carried via our trains and continued on wards via Trucks over the mountains to China, at low prices to win business. The trains that transport freight from China may go back empty on the trip back North. Getting small contracts now, to fill up empty trains, will allow some of the costs to be recouped. Once we build up steady customers and we can charge just short of costs to transport via ship, and hope to cover more of our costs.

The railways ministry should also work on building up the services at each train station; especially Restaurants and Shopping, in a similar manner as the Motorway stops. Passengers should be able to order food on the train, and restaurant quality food should be delivered on board at the next stop as is done in China. This will also free up one carriage car for more passengers.

Over time, when the Motorway projects are finished and the trains become more reliable and regular, CPEC will go both ways; and Pakistan will be known as the Crossroads of Asia, and Pakistan's Tourism industry (Domestically and From Abroad) will pick up by leaps and bounds and Inshallah the debts will be paid off quickly.

 

[Syed1.]

While the Chinese contractor and local sub-contractors works on building the physical infrastructure of the tracks and signals, The Railways ministry should be working on maximizing the freight to be transported over these tracks, so we can pay back the loan. Mideast to China trade (non-hydrocarbon) should be carried via our trains and continued on wards via Trucks over the mountains to China, at low prices to win business. The trains that transport freight from China may go back empty on the trip back North. Getting small contracts now, to fill up empty trains, will allow some of the costs to be recouped. Once we build up steady customers and we can charge just short of costs to transport via ship, and hope to cover more of our costs.

The railways ministry should also work on building up the services at each train station; especially Restaurants and Shopping, in a similar manner as the Motorway stops. Passengers should be able to order food on the train, and restaurant quality food should be delivered on board at the next stop as is done in China. This will also free up one carriage car for more passengers.

Over time, when the Motorway projects are finished and the trains become more reliable and regular, CPEC will go both ways; and Pakistan will be known as the Crossroads of Asia, and Pakistan's Tourism industry (Domestically and From Abroad) will pick up by leaps and bounds and Inshallah the debts will be paid off quickly.

I like the way you think... Sadly PTI has appointed Sheikh Rashid as railways minister and he doesn't seem like the most educated/competent person to think of out-of-the-box solutions to uplift the railways.

If only we had a Murad Saeed clone to be railways minister.

 

[FuturePAF]

I like the way you think... Sadly PTI has appointed Sheikh Rashid as railways minister and he doesn't seem like the most educated/competent person to think of out-of-the-box solutions to uplift the railways.

If only we had a Murad Saeed clone to be railways minister.

Thanks. I always wondered why have Sheikh Rashid was the railways minister. IMHO, he is probably a good manager of people or motivator, because we do need people at the top to motivate the people while major changes take effect.

Hopefully there are business savvy managers and top notch engineers just below Sheikh Rashid, that run the day to day affairs of the railroad to its full potential and then some, in anticipation of the investment being made.