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Faster Freight: $43 million rail 'overtaking lanes'

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    Topic moved from News by bevans on 17 Jun 2022 09:41
      WimbledonW Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Sydney
    A multi-million-dollar upgrade of the Main West Rail Line through the Central West is providing more efficient access to market for producers via a critical freight route.

    The completion of four passing loop upgrades and installations is the end of stage two of the NSW Government’s $43.3 million Main West Rail Line Capacity Enhancement program.

    “This upgrade is essential because freight movements along the Main West Rail Line are forecast to grow to 11.5 million tonnes by 2056.

    “Freight such as grain, cotton, meat and fresh produce will be able to get to market quicker than ever before and with more freight able to be transported by rail, motorists can expect fewer heavy vehicles on the road.

    “The upgrade to the Main West Rail line is part of our record $14.5 billion spend into regional roads and transport infrastructure, building what matters to make daily life easier.”

    The most recent passing loop was completed at Bumberry near Parkes, along with three other projects also delivered in 2021 at Polona near Blayney, Pinecliffe near Molong and Maryvale, north of Wellington.

    In the past, there were limited passing opportunities on the single-track Main West Rail Line, particularly for longer freight trains. The new and extended loops alleviate those issues, creating more capacity on the busy line. Of course some of the sections were double track, replaced with single tracks.

    A further $2 million has been allocated for the investigation and development of potential future projects on the Main West Rail Line including loops, rail sidings that support loading and unloading freight, and upgrades to sections of track to accommodate heavier trains.

    Under stage one of the program, $21.5 million funded the construction of two long rail crossing loops between Blayney and Lithgow at Georges Plains and Rydal.

    Faster Freight: $43 million rail 'overtaking lanes'
    Posted: 16 Jun 2022 07:03

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      freightgate Minister for Railways

    Location: Albury, New South Wales
    Could this be a relaying of loops previously removed ?
    Posted: 16 Jun 2022 08:40
      michaelgm Chief Commissioner

    The main west was singled tracked between ‘wang and Tarana sometime ago, so yes the loop at Rydal would fit that description, not sure about the rest.
    Posted: 16 Jun 2022 08:43
      SinickleBird Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Qantas Club at Mudgee International Airport
    The loop at Maryvale is very shiny and new, although I doubt it currently sees use. Not many movements in the working timetable over that particular stretch - the Fletchers meat train doesn’t conflict with the XPT. Which leaves ad-hoc grainies and maintenance workings, which are sparse.

    Perhaps a new timetable for the new regional fleet may create some action.
    Posted: 16 Jun 2022 13:16
      2LaGrange Chief Train Controller

    Maryvale loop is in regular use. Besides use for crossing opposing  trains it is used to stage trains that are waiting for example a path west through Dubbo towards Narromine and beyond waiting for a train to come off Cobar branch heading to Merrygoen as the crossing loops at Dubbo and Narromine are quite short. This allows other grain trains to overtake if heading to Coonamble branch or the empty Fletchers to overtake also.

    Sometimes a grain train may be going to Coonamble south to load and is late out of Sydney so earlier grain service to load at say Gilgandra will wait at Maryvale to be overtaken so trains head out on branch in correct order.

    What government needs to also fund is to replace the Macquarie river bridge at Wellington. Freight trains are restricted to 10km/hr . With 3 crossing blocked while 1200 meter trains crawl off bridge at 10km/hr must upset locals.
    Posted: 16 Jun 2022 16:59
      bevans Site Admin

    Location: Melbourne, Australia


    What government needs to also fund is to replace the Macquarie river bridge at Wellington. Freight trains are restricted to 10km/hr . With 3 crossing blocked while 1200 meter trains crawl off bridge at 10km/hr must upset locals.
    2LaGrange

    Can a repair be done and not a replacement?

    Posted: 17 Jun 2022 10:00
      Nightfire Minister for Railways

    Location: Gippsland


    What government needs to also fund is to replace the Macquarie river bridge at Wellington. Freight trains are restricted to 10km/hr . With 3 crossing blocked while 1200 meter trains crawl off bridge at 10km/hr must upset locals.
    Can a repair be done and not a replacement?

    bevans
    The similar Macquarie River Railway Bridge at Bathurst was replaced (bypassed) a few years ago.
    Posted: 17 Jun 2022 21:28
      tom9876543 Chief Train Controller

    I would like to see the old bridge at Wellington converted to a pedestrian bridge, when the new bridge is built next to it.
    Does the old bridge have a heritage listing? If it doesn't have heritage listing, it should.
    Posted: 17 Jun 2022 22:25
      Nightfire Minister for Railways

    Location: Gippsland
    I would like to see the old bridge at Wellington converted to a pedestrian bridge, when the new bridge is built next to it.
    Does the old bridge have a heritage listing? If it doesn't have heritage listing, it should.
    tom9876543
    Probably not much genuine need, not much Urban area on the North side of the River, that's not currently accessed via the Lee Street bridge (the River banks look like they're mostly private property)
    Posted: 18 Jun 2022 14:23

    Last edited by Nightfire on 18 Jun 2022 15:50; edited 1 time in total
      simstrain Chief Commissioner

    The new bridge could be for the heavies and the old bridge used for passenger / heritage operations.
    Posted: 18 Jun 2022 21:12
      Nightfire Minister for Railways

    Location: Gippsland
    The new bridge could be for the heavies and the old bridge used for passenger / heritage operations.
    simstrain
    Give us an example where this happens ?
    Posted: 19 Jun 2022 11:49
      freightgate Minister for Railways

    Location: Albury, New South Wales
    There is talk in the article and on internet about bee traffic being beef. Any more info ?
    Posted: 19 Jun 2022 13:16
      simstrain Chief Commissioner

    The new bridge could be for the heavies and the old bridge used for passenger / heritage operations.
    Give us an example where this happens ?
    Nightfire
    ok then don't but then they should build the new bridge to handle 2 tracks.
    Posted: 19 Jun 2022 18:55
      Nightfire Minister for Railways

    Location: Gippsland
    ok then don't but then they should build the new bridge to handle 2 tracks.
    simstrain
    Why does Wellington need double track over the Macquarie River ?  
    I would say the same solution to what has happed at Bathurst would be planed here In Wellington sometime In the future when funding becomes available.
    Posted: 19 Jun 2022 19:04
      WimbledonW Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Sydney
    ok then don't but then they should build the new bridge to handle 2 tracks.
    Why does Wellington need double track over the Macquarie River ?  
    I would say the same solution to what has happed at Bathurst would be planed here In Wellington sometime In the future when funding becomes available.
    Nightfire
    CMIIW but I seem to remember that the piers for the new Bathurst bridge are wide enough for two tracks, though the new piers are yet to be used.

    Similarly bridge piers near Shoalhaven.

    A single track tunnel at IIRC Monkerei is wide enough for two tracks. Only one track installed.

    At Junee the Down Platform road can be extended through a spare span of an over bridge which allows the Down Platform Road to be extended to 1800m. This extension would be  useful. The bridge at Wellington would not be useful.

    The new Boundary Road underbridge at Roseville has room for 4 tracks, though only 2 are  in use. Several other bridges on the North Shore line in Sydney have spare spans.

    At Warwick Farm there used to be room for 4 tracks, only two being used. Unfortunately the design is defective and the two extra tracks are not available as the third track (now SSFL) has to slew around the Down Platform which is too close.

    Can anyone pls report any other examples?
    Posted: 19 Jun 2022 20:42

    Last edited by WimbledonW on 19 Jun 2022 21:06; edited 1 time in total
      Transtopic Chief Commissioner

    Location: Sydney
    ok then don't but then they should build the new bridge to handle 2 tracks.
    Why does Wellington need double track over the Macquarie River ?  
    I would say the same solution to what has happed at Bathurst would be planed here In Wellington sometime In the future when funding becomes available.
    CMIIW but I seem to remember that the piers for the new Bathurst bridge are wide enough for two tracks, though the new piers are yet to be used.

    Similarly bridge piers near Shoalhaven.

    A single track tunnel at IIRC Monkerei is wide enough for two tracks. Only one track installed.

    At Junee the Down Platform road can be extended through a spare span of an over bridge which allows the Down Platform Road to be extended to 1800m. This extension would be  useful. The bridge at Wellington would not be useful.

    The new Boundary Road underbridge at Roseville has room for 4 tracks, though only 2 are  in use. Several other bridges on the North Shore line in Sydney have spare spans.

    At Warwick Farm there used to be room for 4 tracks, only two being used. Unfortunately the design is defective and the two extra tracks are not available as the third track (now SSFL) has to slew around the Down Platform which is too close.

    Can anyone pls report any other examples?
    WimbledonW
    John Whitton Bridge over Parramatta River on Northern Line between Rhodes and Meadowbank.  Piers were built for 4 tracks to complete quadruplication, although only 2 tracks are currently in use.  Quadruplication is proposed under the next stage of the Northern Line Freight Corridor program.
    Posted: 19 Jun 2022 22:05
      WimbledonW Deputy Commissioner

    Location: Sydney

    Can anyone pls report any other examples?John Whitton Bridge over Parramatta River on Northern Line between Rhodes and Meadowbank.  Piers were built for 4 tracks to complete quadruplication, although only 2 tracks are currently in use.  Quadruplication is proposed under the next stage of the Northern Line Freight Corridor program.
    Transtopic
    The original Como bridge was single track, later gaunlet double track replaced with a normal double track bridge. The old bridge was converted into a pedestrian and bicycle bridge.
    Posted: 20 Jun 2022 08:31
      catchpoint Assistant Commissioner

    Location: At the end of a loop
    I know not a loop but, finishing the missing link of quading between Penrith and St.Marys on the Main West not mentioned?

    would not only help freight, but keep intercity services on time instead of getting stuck behind all station services.

    Regards,

    Catchpoint
    Posted: 20 Jun 2022 08:31
      viaprojects Assistant Commissioner

    I know not a loop but, finishing the missing link of quading between Penrith and St.Marys on the Main West not mentioned?

    would not only help freight, but keep intercity services on time instead of getting stuck behind all station services.

    Regards,

    Catchpoint
    catchpoint

    passing siding at Penrith station for freight going west .. but any other upgrade is not going to happen .. two rail bridges will need to be replaced or upgraded which will shut down the line for a long period of time ...

    also the changes for rail yards has not happened - new yards and station at emu plains ..
    Posted: 20 Jun 2022 13:06
      michaelgm Chief Commissioner

    I know not a loop but, finishing the missing link of quading between Penrith and St.Marys on the Main West not mentioned?

    would not only help freight, but keep intercity services on time instead of getting stuck behind all station services.

    Regards,

    Catchpoint

    passing siding at Penrith station for freight going west .. but any other upgrade is not going to happen .. two rail bridges will need to be replaced or upgraded which will shut down the line for a long period of time ...

    also the changes for rail yards has not happened - new yards and station at emu plains ..
    viaprojects
    No reason that the existing bridges cannot be duplicated without majorly disrupting traffic. A new one either side.
    Presently, existing bridges are fit for purpose, why the need for an upgrade?
    Is there a need for suburban services beyond Penrith?
    Posted: 20 Jun 2022 13:15
      simstrain Chief Commissioner

    ok then don't but then they should build the new bridge to handle 2 tracks.
    Why does Wellington need double track over the Macquarie River ?  
    I would say the same solution to what has happed at Bathurst would be planed here In Wellington sometime In the future when funding becomes available.
    Nightfire

    Because if your going to build a new bridge then why would you build a single track bridge instead of a double track and by doing so you can have an extra passing loop.
    Posted: 20 Jun 2022 14:23
      simstrain Chief Commissioner

    I know not a loop but, finishing the missing link of quading between Penrith and St.Marys on the Main West not mentioned?

    would not only help freight, but keep intercity services on time instead of getting stuck behind all station services.

    Regards,

    Catchpoint
    catchpoint
    Talking about only 2 stations between st mary's and penrith and any intercity services can easily make up any time lost once they get on the express tracks. There is also the issue with the express tracks being on the inside that going back to only dual track helps with terminating trains or else there would be a real problem with conflicting moves.
    Posted: 20 Jun 2022 14:30

    Last edited by simstrain on 20 Jun 2022 14:31; edited 1 time in total
      Nightfire Minister for Railways

    Location: Gippsland
    ok then don't but then they should build the new bridge to handle 2 tracks.
    Why does Wellington need double track over the Macquarie River ?  
    I would say the same solution to what has happed at Bathurst would be planed here In Wellington sometime In the future when funding becomes available.

    Because if your going to build a new bridge then why would you build a single track bridge instead of a double track and by doing so you can have an extra passing loop.
    simstrain
    Cheaper to build a single track bridge, spend the savings (that would otherwise be wasted on an un-needed double track bridge) on anther railway bridge or crossing loop project.
    Posted: 20 Jun 2022 20:51
      Transtopic Chief Commissioner

    Location: Sydney
    I know not a loop but, finishing the missing link of quading between Penrith and St.Marys on the Main West not mentioned?

    would not only help freight, but keep intercity services on time instead of getting stuck behind all station services.

    Regards,

    Catchpoint
    Talking about only 2 stations between st mary's and penrith and any intercity services can easily make up any time lost once they get on the express tracks. There is also the issue with the express tracks being on the inside that going back to only dual track helps with terminating trains or else there would be a real problem with conflicting moves.
    simstrain
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was the other way round, i.e. the express tracks are the outer track pair and the Suburban the inner tracks.  The outer track pair beyond Westmead, through platforms 3 & 4 at Parramatta, is designated the Western Main while the inner track pair is designated the Suburban.  The inner track pair allows terminating services at St Marys to turn back without conflicting with the outer express tracks.
    Posted: 20 Jun 2022 22:44
      a6et Minister for Railways

    I know not a loop but, finishing the missing link of quading between Penrith and St.Marys on the Main West not mentioned?

    would not only help freight, but keep intercity services on time instead of getting stuck behind all station services.

    Regards,

    Catchpoint
    Talking about only 2 stations between st mary's and penrith and any intercity services can easily make up any time lost once they get on the express tracks. There is also the issue with the express tracks being on the inside that going back to only dual track helps with terminating trains or else there would be a real problem with conflicting moves.
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was the other way round, i.e. the express tracks are the outer track pair and the Suburban the inner tracks.  The outer track pair beyond Westmead, through platforms 3 & 4 at Parramatta, is designated the Western Main while the inner track pair is designated the Suburban.  The inner track pair allows terminating services at St Marys to turn back without conflicting with the outer express tracks.
    Transtopic
    Unless changed, the inner tracks are the main lines (Express. Penrith   then Blacktown stops)
    Posted: 21 Jun 2022 09:47

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