My city loop dream

[Haydss]

I had some fun drawing a mock plan of what my Christchurch city rail loop might look like. I can only dream that one day something like this may be reality as I love trains!

Let me know what you all think of my drawing. Believe it or not I have tried to apply some logic. Such as trying to make the radius of the curves as realistic as possible (using the curves near tower junction as a template). I've also placed my below ground rail in a manner so that it doesn't run under too many buildings (which I presume would be easier and cheaper to construct).

My thoughts are that ideally (to begin with) there could be trains running on the hour most of the day from Rangiora/Pegasus (if a branch line were added), Rolleston and Lyttelton. These could be appropriately timed so that a train would run around the city loop every 20 minutes. At peak times trains could possibly run every 30 minutes from the outskirts therefore meaning a train every 10 minutes on the city loop.

Due to the layout of the track a train entering the loop from Lytelton would complete a loop of the city before becoming a train heading to Rangiora/Pegasus or Rolleston etc and vice versa.

Here is my drawing, hope it doesn't muck up your browsers too much due to the width:

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/daveyh/city_loop.jpg

[Davee]

Hey neat. I'm going to sleep on this and post some thoughts tomorrow.

I would assume there would be more stations than just Madras St and the Square? Why Madras St? Hospital is a good idea.

[Haydss]

To be honest I wasn't completely sure on where stations might be. My only thoughts were that you wouldn't want too many stations placed too close together because it could start getting a little silly. I placed one under Madras st there thinking it would be a good stop for all those IRD workers in their new building haha :p

I guess there could possibly be opportunity for another station in my drawing along the line near Moorehouse ave.

Although any of those stations are up for change, you guys may have a few ideas I haven't thought of :) I can always update it :)

[Milan Luka]

Hey Haydss- looks good.

While were dreaming Im sure theres room for another station there somewhere. Maybe have the loop hitting Riccarton Rd so that it could incorporate the Deans Avenue residential area, Girls High, Mona Vale. I know that area is well serves by a redbus every 12 seconds (or so it seems) but why not throw in a rail service for them too!

And then long haul suburban lines to out Pegasus, Lyttleton and why not all go past Rolleston all the way out to Ashburton.

I always thought Addington was a stupid place for a main railway station. It all made sense when I was told where the original was. Can anybody explain why it was moved?

Also did Chch ever have a suburban rail network or did buses just take over when the trams were taken out. While were at it- like to see an extra loop for the current tram line. Im sure the outlay would be worth it!

[Paulsy]

The cheapest way to tunnel is to cut and cover and to do that you need to follow existing roads or go through areas being redeveloped. To go under the river you'd have to go way deeper so maybe it would be easier and cheaper to follow Tuam St along and have the station where the new bus depot will be (interesting public transport tie in especially if you could also fit light rail in there somewhere).

It'd never work though and our taxes and rates would end up subsidising it.

[Paulsy]

Hey Haydss- looks good.

While were dreaming Im sure theres room for another station there somewhere. Maybe have the loop hitting Riccarton Rd so that it could incorporate the Deans Avenue residential area, Girls High, Mona Vale. I know that area is well serves by a redbus every 12 seconds (or so it seems) but why not throw in a rail service for them too!

And then long haul suburban lines to out Pegasus, Lyttleton and why not all go past Rolleston all the way out to Ashburton.

I always thought Addington was a stupid place for a main railway station. It all made sense when I was told where the original was. Can anybody explain why it was moved?

Also did Chch ever have a suburban rail network or did buses just take over when the trams were taken out. While were at it- like to see an extra loop for the current tram line. Im sure the outlay would be worth it!

It had commuter rail in all directions. Only Lyttelton was electrified and was (I think) the last to go (the road tunnel killed it).

The main station used to see 3 trains a day for a long time and then Tranzrail started shedding anything which wouldn't turn a profit in the next 5 mins and it was all gone. There used to be quite a number of deserted urban stations but they've all been pulled down now. Remnants of some of the platforms still remain (Woolston is easily seen).

[metroman]

Ferrymead was the first place in the country to have rail. When the ferry used to leave to Wellington, people used to regularly use the train to connect to the ferry. A rail link used to link Little River, which I believe was abandoned some time in the 1920s. Wellington, while different geographically is a great example of a small metro area with a similar population to Christchurch which has a good commuter rail system. Or shall I say will have in the next few years with new trains and upgrades. I think they are a great model, we should be working toward.

[Davee]

I really think light rail is the way to go in CHC. Sounds like Bob Parker is very keen on it as well. I think good investment now, will pay such dividends in the future. A good light rail system will just be another added attraction for people relocating to the great Southern City.

[sensible]

Funnily enough this is pretty spot on to an idea ive drawn down a few times, and i quite like this. Its pretty realistic, not overloaded with silly ideas, the stations are about right. heavy rail could certrainly play an important role in chch in the next 10-20 years (a city loop def. 20 years) alongside an improved bus system and light rail. The right of way and capacity advantages are just too good to throw away.

My idea would be to straighten the line from that hospital station so it runs to riccarton road further north before turning towards Tower Junction. You could have a 'Hagley', or 'Riccarton' station there. Also rename 'Hospital station' 'Museum' or "Gardens' or something. Hospital sounds terrible!!!

Lyttelton had over 20 trains each way per week day until the late 1960's (electrified) and 14 each way per day when it ended in feb 1972. Burnham trains ended in 1967 by then consisting of one train out and one back in for workers (inverse service) and Rangiora lasted until 1976 again by then consisting of just one train each way, although in the mid sixties it had four and in the mid fifties had something like eight.

[Haydss]

My idea would be to straighten the line from that hospital station so it runs to riccarton road further north before turning towards Tower Junction. You could have a 'Hagley', or 'Riccarton' station there. Also rename 'Hospital station' 'Museum' or "Gardens' or something. Hospital sounds terrible!!!

Nice ideas.... and you are right, Hospital does sound terrible LOL! :lol:

[metroman]

The more I hear about light rail and rail expansion in Canterbury the more excited I get. $250 million wouldn't be an unrealistic amount to get something started. That would be a realistic target and I would say if Bob can lobby for something like that in the next 5 years he will be doing well. Government are looking at buying Toll's rail assets. This maybe a sign that rail is finally being taken notice of.

[Davee]

I had some fun drawing a mock plan of what my Christchurch city rail loop might look like. I can only dream that one day something like this may be reality as I love trains!

Let me know what you all think of my drawing. Believe it or not I have tried to apply some logic. Such as trying to make the radius of the curves as realistic as possible (using the curves near tower junction as a template). I've also placed my below ground rail in a manner so that it doesn't run under too many buildings (which I presume would be easier and cheaper to construct).

My thoughts are that ideally (to begin with) there could be trains running on the hour most of the day from Rangiora/Pegasus (if a branch line were added), Rolleston and Lyttelton. These could be appropriately timed so that a train would run around the city loop every 20 minutes. At peak times trains could possibly run every 30 minutes from the outskirts therefore meaning a train every 10 minutes on the city loop.

Due to the layout of the track a train entering the loop from Lytelton would complete a loop of the city before becoming a train heading to Rangiora/Pegasus or Rolleston etc and vice versa.

Here is my drawing, hope it doesn't muck up your browsers too much due to the width:

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/daveyh/city_loop.jpg

What would be your dream loop including the northern half of the city i.e the Victoria Street District?

[metroman]

Light rail looks like it will get some real airplay in council this year. I would envisage that $250 million for a light rail network which would connect the innercity and the suburbs which are reasonably close and approximately the same to start a commuter rail system connecting the outer districts you have mentioned. They may start with something very basic in the initial stages.But your ideas are exciting. To finally get something started will be a great step though.