The new operator of the Adelaide to Darwin rail line has rejected suggestions that outstanding maintenance issues could cause a derailment in Alice Springs.

Bert Easthope from Genesee & Wyoming says a maintenance schedule is planned for the first week of January.



He says sections of the line leading to the shunting yard will be replaced and conjecture that the use of second-hand concrete sleepers may be dangerous is misplaced.



"By using the second-hand concrete sleepers we're actually improving the integrity and the safety of the track inside the yard rather than the timber which we're replacing timber sleepers that are 25 to 30 years old."


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/16/3094989.htm?section=business