Of course if there were 365,000 clips at 2 clips per sleeper, there should be about 182,500 sleepers.

Except there are typically 4 clips per sleeper, one on the gauge side of each rail foot, one on the field side.

There are three crossing loops from 1850m to 2050m, not including the turnouts. Also a few wheat sidings and a siding for track machines. Strangely one of the 1000m long wheat sidings is signalled almost as if it were a crossing loop, albeit with catchpoints and motor points.

There are three crossing loops from 1850m to 2050m, not including the turnouts. Also a few wheat sidings and a siding for track machines. Strangely one of the 1000m long wheat sidings is signalled almost as if it were a crossing loop, albeit with catchpoints and motor points.

It is ARTC practice to call the "crossing loops" as "sidings", so that it is not clear if the genuine wheat sidings can be used for crossing purposes. These wheat sidings are much less than 1800m long.

It is ARTC practice to call the "crossing loops" as "sidings", so that it is not clear if the genuine wheat sidings can be used for crossing purposes. These wheat sidings are much less than 1800m long.

UUh, what?!? Who told you that? Because they're full of shyte...Granted I haven't worked a train over ARTC territory in a decade, but I did my ARTC re-qualification last month and don't recall that being mentioned...

UUh, what?!? Who told you that? Because they're full of shyte...Granted I haven't worked a train over ARTC territory in a decade, but I did my ARTC re-qualification last month and don't recall that being mentioned...

I have run a train over ARTC territory in the last 48 hours and you're 100% correct. Siding is not used to describe crossing loops or passing lanes.

I have run a train over ARTC territory in the last 48 hours and you're 100% correct. Siding is not used to describe crossing loops or passing lanes.

(1) These "unofficial" diagrams call the tracks at a crossing loop "Main" and "Siding" https://www.sa-trackandsignal.net/Pdf%20files/ARTC/AR471.pdf.

(2) I did challenge the author of these diagrams that surely the (crossing) "siding" should actually be called "loop" or "crossing loop".

(3) The author of these diagrams said in reply that the "crossing loop" was indeed called "siding".

(4) Maybe the newly built ARTC sections of the Inland Railway use different terminology.

(5) I will have to ask that author again.

It is ARTC practice to call the "crossing loops" as "sidings", so that it is not clear if the genuine wheat sidings can be used for crossing purposes. These wheat sidings are much less than 1800m long.

UUh, what?!? Who told you that? Because they're full of shyte...Granted I haven't worked a train over ARTC territory in a decade, but I did my ARTC re-qualification last month and don't recall that being mentioned...

From ARTC's COP Glossary:
Crossing loop - A line, secondary to the main line, provided primarily for crossing or passing trains.
Running line - A line (other than a siding) that is used for the through movement of trains.
Siding - A portion of line connected by points to a main line or loop where vehicles can be placed or stored

And From ARTC's NSW Glossary:
Crossing Loop - A running line in single-line territory, with entry and exit ends connected to a main line, that is used to hold a train or track vehicle to allow other rail traffic to cross or pass.
Running Line - A line (other than a siding) which is used for through movement of trains. See also main line and siding.
Siding - A portion of track where vehicles can be placed clear of the running lines

Do they define passing lane anywhere which is what ive heard the ~7km long crossing loops called in places, or is this a non technical term?

Of course if there were 365,000 clips at 2 clips per sleeper, there should be about 182,500 sleepers.

Except there are typically 4 clips per sleeper, one on the gauge side of each rail foot, one on the field side.

Good grief, you're right. But there are 2 baseplates per sleeper.

For "unofficial" track diagram of P2N see https://www.sa-trackandsignal.net/Pdf%20files/ARTC/AR471.pdf.

There are three crossing loops from 1850m to 2050m, not including the turnouts. Also a few wheat sidings and a siding for track machines. Strangely two of the 1100m long wheat sidings is signalled almost as if it were a crossing loop, albeit with catchpoints and motor points.

Well said KR and Fatty.
To me 'passing lane' is a road term. Railways have 'lines' not lanes.
These long passing lines are, to me, either just long crossing loops or short sections of bi-directional (?) double line.
As a matter of interest, how many hotshot trains scream past others dawdling along in a so-called passing lane as distinct from 'running crosses' which I concede are of great potential advantage.

It is ARTC practice to call the "crossing loops" as "sidings", so that it is not clear if the genuine wheat sidings can be used for crossing purposes. These wheat sidings are much less than 1800m long.

UUh, what?!? Who told you that? Because they're full of shyte...Granted I haven't worked a train over ARTC territory in a decade, but I did my ARTC re-qualification last month and don't recall that being mentioned...

From ARTC's COP Glossary:
Crossing loop - A line, secondary to the main line, provided primarily for crossing or passing trains.
Running line - A line (other than a siding) that is used for the through movement of trains.
Siding - A portion of line connected by points to a main line or loop where vehicles can be placed or stored

And From ARTC's NSW Glossary:
Crossing Loop - A running line in single-line territory, with entry and exit ends connected to a main line, that is used to hold a train or track vehicle to allow other rail traffic to cross or pass.
Running Line - A line (other than a siding) which is used for through movement of trains. See also main line and siding.
Siding - A portion of track where vehicles can be placed clear of the running lines

Do they define passing lane anywhere which is what ive heard the ~7km long crossing loops called in places, or is this a non technical term?

Well said KR and Fatty.
To me 'passing lane' is a road term. Railways have 'lines' not lanes.
These long passing lines are, to me, either just long crossing loops or short sections of bi-directional (?) double line.
As a matter of interest, how many hotshot trains scream past others dawdling along in a so-called passing lane as distinct from 'running crosses' which I concede are of great potential advantage.

I am not aware as to whether it has any officially or properly defined status. The term 'passing lane' is much favoured on here (by gunzels?) but, as I have said elsewhere they are, to me, just long crossing loops where opposing trains can cross each other or a following train may overtake another travelling in the same direction. The greater the length the greater the convenience but the principle is unchanged. Still I suppose a new gee wizz term fools the proletariat.

The foregoing are the precise purposes of 'crossing loops' which have been around since the invention of railways 200 years ago.

I am not aware as to whether it has any officially or properly defined status. The term 'passing lane' is much favoured on here (by gunzels?) but, as I have said elsewhere they are, to me, just long crossing loops where opposing trains can cross each other or a following train may overtake another travelling in the same direction. The greater the length the greater the convenience but the principle is unchanged. Still I suppose a new gee wizz term fools the proletariat.

The foregoing are the precise purposes of 'crossing loops' which have been around since the invention of railways 200 years ago.

I thought "Passing Lane" was just PR spin in trying to inform an ignorant public of the work that ARTC was doing, but unfortunately the term seems to have gained some traction.
I think they are just long loops.

I thought "Passing Lane" was just PR spin in trying to inform an ignorant public of the work that ARTC was doing, but unfortunately the term seems to have gained some traction.
I think they are just long loops.

Do they define passing lane anywhere which is what ive heard the ~7km long crossing loops called in places, or is this a non technical term?

@WimbledonW you seem to have a fascination with those SA-Track&Signal diagrams, having posted them here many times and helpful though they are occasionally, they are not operational documents issued by the network owners.

I see you've disagreed with @Fatty's post above. Why you've done that I cannot fathom, he is a qualified Driver on the ARTC network. I am a qualified Driver who has just done his ARTC safe-working re-certification less than 4 weeks ago and you have been provided with the ARTC glossary in addition.

The network owner lists them as either a "Grain Loop" or "Loop" in their relevant system maps and I would encourage you to not try to pass off as a statement of fact, information you receive from non-operational sources.

Moderators, can we please remove the non-related items to the Questions that you've always been too embarrassed to ask Thread?

The Narrabri to North Star Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been approved, giving the next section of the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail the greenlight. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, welcomed the approval, providing further certainty on Inland Rail’s delivery and the significant local jobs and investment the freight rail line will bring.