• The loop being too short for the trains then being run on the Melbourne - Sydney corridor (It was around 900 metres long versus freight train lengths of 1500 to 1800 metres).
• The opening of the Passing Lane at Gerogery on 9 May 2008 reducing the length of the single line section between Gerogery and Albury, thereby reducing the need for a loop in this section (The Gerogery Crossing Loop was extended at the Albury end to form the Passing Lane. I think the original Gerogery loop was around the 900 metre mark, whereas the Passing lane is around seven kilometres long or around 6 kilometres longer than the original Gerogery Loop).

The points are installed at each end, the formation is complete and foundations for signals are in place. The sleepers, rail and ballast are on site ready to go.

The new points for Ettamogah and the old Table Top points are 100 metres or so apart.

The new points for Ettamogah and the old Table Top points are 100 metres or so apart.

With the Tynan road level crossing in between.

It should be noted that the Hume highway is only about 50m from this level crossing, so that it is important that no b-doubles stop for the the level crossing in front and block the highway in the rear.

See https://www.street-directory.com.au/?x=147.00436757481444&y=-35.97023606774532&l=16

The points are installed at each end, the formation is complete and foundations for signals are in place. The sleepers, rail and ballast are on site ready to go.

For a diagram of Table top and Ettamogah see: http://www.sa-trackandsignal.net/Pdf%20files/ARTC/AR252.pdf. Table Top is shown as being out of use. The new points are shown, but as the diagram is not to scale it is not possible to say how far apart they are.


ETT and TT are only 2.3km apart (centre to centre) and nearly touch.

This diagram show new mainline turnouts that may well convert Ettamogah into a 1800m crossing loop, as well as having the hardstand and paper mill sidings.

These siding are currently accessed by those high technology ground frames E & D.

For a diagram of Table top and Ettamogah see: http://www.sa-trackandsignal.net/Pdf%20files/ARTC/AR252.pdf. Table Top is shown as being out of use. The new points are shown, but as the diagram is not to scale it is not possible to say how far apart they are.


ETT and TT are only 2.3km apart (centre to centre) and nearly touch.

This diagram show new mainline turnouts that may well convert Ettamogah into a 1800m crossing loop, as well as having the hardstand and paper mill sidings.

These siding are currently accessed by those high technology ground frames E & D.For info, approx. distances as follows (pre Ettamogah completion)

Between Albury and Ettamogah - 12.3km
Ettamogah length - 1.0 (frame to frame)
Between Ettamogah and Table Top - 1.5km
Table Top length - 1.1km (points to points)
Between Table Top and Gerogery PL - 6.6km
Gerogery length - 7km (points to points)

Approx length Albury loop (SYD end) to Gerogery PL (ABX end) is 22km.  There is some discussion in a previous thread about the merits or not of duplication all the way to Gerogery from Albury.

http://www.artc.com.au/uploads/OGW-30-29_Diagram.pdf
https://www.artc.com.au/uploads/OGW-30-30_Diagram.pdf

Between Albury and Ettamogah - 12.3km
Ettamogah length - 1.0 (frame to frame)
Between Ettamogah and Table Top - 1.5km
Table Top length - 1.1km (points to points)
Between Table Top and Gerogery PL - 6.6km
Gerogery length - 7km (points to points)

Approx length Albury loop (SYD end) to Gerogery PL (ABX end) is 22km.  There is some discussion in a previous thread about the merits or not of duplication all the way to Gerogery from Albury.

In the case of the Ettamogah siding, measure between the catchpoints,

http://www.artc.com.au/uploads/OGW-30-29_Diagram.pdf
https://www.artc.com.au/uploads/OGW-30-30_Diagram.pdf

Yeah i'm not an expert at measuring the loops but just took consistent points along the way so i didnt double count.  
Re the bridge, will be interesting to see the plans with the Inland adjustments.  If they can somehow redo the bridge to have a second track on it a bit part of the problem is solved.

Also, somewhere in a NSW infrastructure plan there is chatter of duplicating all the way up to Junee/Coota or wherever the line currently goes from double to single track.

I went past this morning and the TT points are still in place but, as you said, all the rail has gone.

Would seem a huge opportunity missed to connect the three loops together to form one ~20km long passing lane.

I have discussed with a few people over the years, the option, and most have agreed, that the track needs to be duplicated from the 303.500km peg on the Victorian side to through to the 623.269km peg on the N.S.W. side, which is 22.68km worth of double duplication that would need doing. The biggest hurdle that has been raised is crossing the Murray, as the existing bridge would need to be replaced, as it currently does meet the safety margin.

I went past this morning and the TT points are still in place but, as you said, all the rail has gone.

I was wrong. Only the Gerogery end points are still there.

Thanks Fatty for taking the time to check out Table Top. I appreciate the feedback. Interesting that they didn't remove both turnouts - just the one at the Albury end. Did they remove any signals?

Would you be able to take a photo of the remains of the loop and post it?

Thanks again.

Kind Regards

Campaspe

I went past this morning and the TT points are still in place but, as you said, all the rail has gone.

I was wrong. Only the Gerogery end points are still there.

I have never understood why capacity is removed from the network even if a loop is seldom used it can be used at a moments notice if it is required.

Maintenance costs, I suspect capacity isn't just deleted, but when a major investment is required, then decisions need to be made with available budgets and would further investment ever see a return?