Mark Tronson, author of sixteen railway books, who also happens to be a Baptist minister and the Footplate Padre, asks a pertinent question: "Will the Australian locomotive construction industry get a gong?"
This notice of motion came from National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop, who said this new mode of transport would help with the current growing number of people in the country.
He called upon the National Government to engage the Engineering Department of the PNG University of Technology to endorse a feasibility study, to consider the project a priority, to provide adequate funding for the study, to seek funding from international donors and to encourage affected Provincial Governments to provide support.
He also wonders what type of diesel locomotive will be engaged in Papua New Guinea, particularly with the mountainous topography, and he lists some of the issues he thinks that railway enthusiasts will find fascinating.
First, will the diesel locomotives be fresh off the manufacturing floor or imported second hand units? He asks this question as Australia has imported former Danish diesels over the last few years and it sells its own pre-loved diesels to Railways around the world. With Railway National closing its doors in Tasmania, there will more than likely be locomotives on the market.
Second, what line gauge will be adopted, the standard gauge which now covers most of Australia or the 3'6" gauge utilised in Queensland and much of Western Australia? Some consider the narrow gauge, once considered less costly to lay, may now be more costly to lay as standard gauge has become the world's norm.
Third, what will be the preferred power of such diesel locomotives? The heavy coal-hauling units of 4,000 horsepower or the multi-purpose and more common 2,400 to 3,000 horsepower units?
Fourth, will they be designed in streamline format (flat ends or rounded nose) or the hood design with the footplate around the engine housing and will they have a livery associated with a company or in National PNG colours of red, yellow and black?
M V Tronson noted however, "The reality all these questions reflect a flight of fantasy until the PNG Parliament actually endorses a railway."
Footplate Padre Mark Tronson comments: "This is exactly the situation of those who choose not to believe in Jesus' Salvation, in that their questions are endless, whereas others are freed by their repentance and belief in Christ ."