August 2021

TM

Geraldton area grain trains

Melbourne Suburban Railway Report
Rail Motors, Rhinos and Relics

Published monthly by the Australian Railway Historical Society (NSW Division)

Editor Bruce Belbin
National Affairs Lawrance Ryan August 2021 August 2021 • $12.00
TM

Editorial Assistant Darren Tulk Volume 59, Number 8

International Ken Date
General Manager Paul Scells Geraldton area grain trains
Melbourne Suburban Railway Report
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Melbourne Suburban Railway Report 30
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Articles and illustrations remain the copyright of the author and publisher. heavy rail network, with 998 kilometres of track, 222 stations, and
Please do not submit photos or articles that have been previously published prior to the Covid-19 crisis, a yearly ridership of over 243 million. It
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staff or publisher. We welcome photographs of current Australian railway Melbourne city terminus to Sandridge, and from 1919 it became the
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Contributors
David Campbell, Bob Gibson, David Hill, John Hoyle, Philip Jeeves, Philip
Laird, Phil Melling, Vaughn Moore, Nev Pollard, Chris Walters.
ABC News, ACT Government, The Age, Arc Infrastructure, Australasian
Railway Association, Australian Financial Review, Australian Transport Safety
Bureau, Bravus Mining & Resources, Federal Minister for Communications,
Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – The Hon. Paul Fletcher MP, Office
of the Hon Daniel Andrews MP – Premier of Victoria, GrainCorp, Parramatta
Light Rail, Pembroke Resources, Public Transport Authority of Western
Australia, Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads – The Hon.
Mark Bailey, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Transport Ministry,
South Australian Premier – Hon. Steven Marshall, Transport Canberra,
Transport for NSW, Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, Victorian Minister for
Transport Infrastructure – The Hon. Jacinta Allan, VicTrack, Watco, Western
Australia Minister for Transport – Hon Rita Saffioti MLA
www.bloombergquint.com www.canberraweekly.com.au
www.crossriverrail.qld.gov.au www.inlandrail.artc.com.au
www.perthnow.com.au www.railwaypro.com

Cover: Early on Thursday morning 25 March, Motive Power/ Hanson Apex quarry at Kilmore East heading to the Hanson Australia
Cummins units CM3304, CM3310 and a sibling unit head north plant at Brooklyn, in Melbourne’s western suburbs. James Chuang
around the 2012 deviation at North Tahmoor with a Qube loaded Back cover (upper): Late on Sunday 8 July, the setting sun catches
grain train. The 1.5km deviation around Redbank Hill was financed SSR grain train iCM4 on the Boree Creek line near Lockhart, hauled
by mining company Xstrata to allow for an expansion of longwall by 4911, 48s28, 4910 and 4904. William Southern
mining by Tahmoor Colliery beneath the previous right-of-way. Back cover (lower): Crossing the Maribyrnong River, V/line
Steve Munro Clyde/EMD locomotive N457 slowly ambles past the worksite at
Opposite: On a misty Tuesday 13 July, Qube Logistic’s Clyde/EMD Bunbury Street, Footscray, with the midday Down Albury service
unit G532 has a fully loaded train in tow and is ready to leave the on Tuesday 11 May. Peter Reading
Rail industry
V/Line becomes statutory authority
From Thursday 1 July V/Line, the Victorian regional passenger rail operator, V/Line is Australia’s fastest growing regional railway operator, with
has become a statutory authority transitioning from a state – owned a 77 per cent increase in annual passenger numbers from 13 million in
enterprise in a move that the Victorian Government says will improve 2014 to 23 million before the pandemic in 2019.
oversight and delivery of regional public transport services. The move will To meet transport demand and future growth, the government
bring V/Line more directly into the centre of the public transport system. has introduced 700 additional weekly services since 2014, investing
An Advisory Board will be established to provide advice and $1.2 billion in new regional trains and supporting an upgrade of every
support to the CEO, who will report to the Secretary of the Victorian regional rail line.
Department of Transport. This is another step since the creation of the This funding boost continues through the Victorian Budget 2021/22,
new, integrated department that will better align the operator with with a further investment of $613 million over four years in major periodic
transport planning, Big Build project delivery, and decision making. and routine maintenance on V/Line’s passenger and freight lines.
Matt Carrick has been appointed V/Line CEO for 12 months to Victorian Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll thanked the
oversee the implementation of this reform, as he has a background departing V/Line board for their service, and said that he looked forward
in both the private sector and senior levels of government and is to getting to work with Matt Carrick to deliver the best outcomes for
currently CEO at State Trustees, where he has overseen an organisational regional Victorians.
restructure and program of reform to improve outcomes for clients. The V/Line changes come in the wake of a corruption scandal
Prior to that appointment Mr Carrick was Deputy Secretary for in October 2020 that led to the sacking of then CEO James Pinder.
Investment and Economic Projects in the Victorian Government’s Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission is
Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. still examining evidence that senior public officials in the transport
As this is a structural change for the leadership of V/Line there will be no bureaucracy were bribed by a major cleaning contractor Transclean (see
job losses, and existing services and rail safety arrangements remain in place. December 2020 RD, page 9).

First package of works for Melbourne Airport Rail

out to market
An Expressions of Interest process is underway for contractors to deliver business and trade by connecting Victorians to the rest of Australia and
Melbourne Airport Rail Link works around Sunshine and Albion (located the world,” he said.
13.5 and 14.9 kilometres respectively from Flinders Street station on the The first step in transforming Sunshine station will include a new
Sunbury line). accessible pedestrian concourse that will enable transfers at either
On Saturday 12 June Federal Minister for Communications, Urban end of the platforms and double the number of lifts available, with
Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, Paul Fletcher, and Victorian Minister extra ticketing gates and weather-protected platform extensions also
for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allan, announced the first works included.
package for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link is out to market and Ms Allan said more information on key elements of the project will
contractors were being invited to submit their initial proposals. soon be shared publicly, with feedback to be sought as part of the next
This approach has been informed by feedback from industry and phase of engagement.
aims to share the workload, providing more opportunities to different The Australian and Victorian governments have committed $5 billion
contractors and suppliers. each towards Melbourne Airport Rail Link, which will take passengers
Minister Fletcher said these works are the first of several work packages from Melbourne Airport into the heart of the city in around 30 minutes
to go out to market through a robust, multi-staged procurement process. via the Metro Tunnel.
“Melbourne airport is one of the key gateways to Australia and provides Construction is set to start in 2022 with a target opening of 2029,
crucial links to interstate and regional destinations, helping to drive subject to all relevant approvals

The 3801 Transport Heritage NSW

Central West Steam Tour was on its
way to Dubbo NSW via the Inland Rail
section between Goobang Junction
and Narromine on Tuesday 8 June
2021, and thus became the first
revenue passenger train to travel on
the Inland Rail, aside from the AK
Cars, which are passenger cars in
appearance only. Running near 20
minutes early, 3801 has little effort
in running up the slight rise from
Wyanga and through to Fairview with
4201 enjoying the ride at the rear of
the set. Timjelly crossing loop, just
visible in the distance, only opened in
September 2020 as part of the Inland
Rail project and is an intermediate safe
working point, with a loop around 1,900
metres long. It has high speed (80km/h)
turnouts from the main line at both
ends. Dave Haden

4 RAILWAY DIGEST
 Rail industry
Macquarie and PGGM seek bidders for One Rail
Australia
Macquarie Group Ltd. and Dutch pension fund manager PGGM have sent to interested parties in May, saying the business had been readied
begun canvassing prospective bidders for a potential sale of rail freight for such a move.
operator One Rail Australia (formerly Genesee & Wyoming Australia). The flyer pitched One Rail group as a “unique platform of critical
A deal could value the rail freight service provider at more than $2 billion. infrastructure with a diverse growth pipeline”, and a top three player
Macquarie’s infrastructure investment arm, MIRA, and its bankers in Australia’s rail sector. It said One Rail would record $475 million
have proposed splitting One Rail Australia into separate coal and revenue and $235 million EBITDA in the 2020-21 financial year, owned
non-coal businesses in early discussions with potential buyers in a bid or leased 2,460 kilometres of track, had 110 locomotives, 2,614
to overcome negative investor sentiment towards the fossil fuel. wagons and 650 employees.
One Rail’s coal business would shift coal for major miner Glencore It said MIRA, which owns 48 per cent of One Rail and manages
in NSW’s Hunter Valley and Queensland and be a $130 million a the other 52 per cent on behalf of Dutch pension fund PGGM, would
year business before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization consider offers for the business as a whole, or separate bids for the coal
(EBITDA) are taken into consideration. and non-coal businesses.
The non-coal business would own and operate the bulk of Potential buyers were told the auction would get underway as early
Australia’s rail freight line between Adelaide and Darwin, and make as July and MIRA was keen to have a deal signed by the end of the year.
about $105 million a year shifting goods north and south for the likes The mooted sale comes five years after MIRA invested in One Rail,
of Toll, Linfox and Woolworths. which was then known as Genesee & Wyoming Australia (GWA). MIRA
The non-coal business would be expected to attract widespread bought a stake in GWA to help its US parent Genesee & Wyoming
interest from rival transport and logistics companies, such as ASX-listed acquire what was Glencore’s Australian coal transport business.
Qube Holdings and privately-owned Pacific National, as well as Genesee & Wyoming was acquired by Brookfield in 2019, which saw
infrastructure funds. However, it is expected to be much harder to its GWA stake offered to MIRA; MIRA and PGGM acquired the stake to
find a mainstream buyer for the coal business – despite its long term take full control.
contracts with Glencore and profitability – given widespread investor In is believed that MIRA began to test the market for the One Rail
sentiment towards the coal sector. sale in October last year. However, it was not until release of the flyer
MIRA and its bankers, Credit Suisse and Macquarie’s own that discussions with potential investors began to ramp up ahead of
Macquarie Capital, outlined the potential split in a 10-page sale flyer the planned auction.

AUGUST 2021 5
Rail industry
CORE 2021 – Conference on Railway Excellence
The Conference on Railway Excellence (CORE) hosted biannually by the technical tours. Amongst the many presentations of interest were
Railway Technical Society of Australasia (RTSA) and planned for 2020, was those of Mr Lido Costa, Principal Engineer AutoHaul, Rio Tinto Iron
held in person, and online, 21-23 June 2021 at Perth. Well organised by Ore, outlining the development of the “worlds largest robot” (as noted
Encanta event management with Renee Bennett and her very capable by the 2020 Guinness book of records) which “would not even been
team (who had also been the Professional Conference Organisers for dreamt of a decade ago” along with a talk on improving BHP Iron
CORE in 2008 (Perth), Brisbane (2012), Adelaide (2014), Melbourne Ore rail operations in recent years with enhanced Wayside Condition
(2016) and Sydney (2018)), it was attended by over 300 persons. Monitoring, and, long term maintenance requirements of the rails
As such, it could well have been to date the largest conference in for the new Melbourne metro. In addition, there were two online
Australia with the numbers of people in attendance since the onset of presentations, one from KiwiRail relating to reopening the NZ South
COVID restrictions in 2020. Island main line after it was severely damaged in the 2016 Kiakoura
There would have been over 400 present at the conference except earthquake; the other duplicating a Canadian National line north of
for the COVID issues in Melbourne, which prevented RTSA Executive Toronto on very soft peat requiring 560 helical piles.
(National) Chair Roy Unny, and others from Melbourne, including Platinum Sponsors the ARTC and the Public Transport Authority
the Monash Insitute of Railway Technology, from attending. Despite (PTA) of WA were well respresented in speakers and the exhibition.
this, the conference dinner was enjoyed by just over 400 persons. This The ARTC exhibits featured Inland Rail and the Advanced Train
dinner included a number of RTSA award presentations. Management System, whilst the PTA, now actively recruiting more
The conference hosts and organisers were fortunate that it was held technical staff, is advancing its $7.2 billion ($5.2 bn WA and $2.7 bn
21-23 June and not the following week, which would have precluded Commonwealth) Metronet projects including the new Airport line
physical attendance by many from Sydney. (due first half of 2022), high capacity signalling, level crossing removals
This CORE event had the usual Ministerial address (Hon Rita and new C Series electric trains (to be built in Perth).
Saffiato, Minister for Transport; Planning; Ports), Keynote speeches, The next CORE is to be held in 2023, with further details to be
technical presentations in concurrent sessions, social events and announced.

Victorian intermodal rail freight facing bleak future

from bigger trucks and MSIS uncertainty
The Victorian Government’s policy of encouraging more regional freight to the MSIS as a bit of a bugbear, but we see it as an equalisation
on rail appears to be undermined by a recent announcement to expand program, to get us to the competitive level we need.” Mr Eryurek said
the state’s High Productivity Freight Vehicle (HPFV) network by around he understood the decisions being made by processors and freight
3,000 kilometres. The new networks include the Bass Highway, Murray forwarders. “We’ll be all crossing our fingers, thinking when the Port Rail
Valley Highway, Wimmera Highway and Ballarat-Maryborough Road. Transformation Project occurs, they will come back to rail,” Mr Eryurek
In addition, the future of the Government’s Mode Shift Incentive Scheme said. “But, as we know, in regional areas decisions are not made lightly.
(MSIS) is uncertain with the Victorian Budget revealing that the scheme, When they do go to a mode they stick to it.”
which offers a rebate to freight operators for each container moved by rail, WestVic Container Export managing director Warwick Loft said the
has been extended for only another year with $3.6 million being allocated. company railed about 50 TEU a day in meat and dairy products and
The subsidy has been steadily reducing since 2014 when the aluminium from Warrnambool to Melbourne. He said the MSIS support
government offered $5 million to four operators, Linx Port link, was an integral part of the business for the four recipients. He said the
Tocumwal; Wimmera Container Line, Dooen; Westvic Container Export, support needed to be ongoing for three or four years. Mr Loft said,
Warrnambool and Seaway Intermodal, Merbein (Mildura). When it was “Over the last few years the percentage of funding to WestVic has been
originally introduced the four operators were paid a subsidy of $100 a slowly dwindling and it wouldn’t want to dwindle too much more.”
container, but that figure is now down to $81.45. Figures revealed by Stock & Land show Johnson Asahi, at Horsham,
At a state budget Public Accounts and Estimates Committee hearing, shifted from rail to road to move 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent containers
Ports and Freight Minister, Melissa Horne, said the MSIS was a “vital” of hay a year about 18 months ago. Wimmera Grain Company
programme that supported the behavioural change behind the shift (WGC) general manager Chris O’Bryan, Rupanyup, said his company
from road to rail. However, she said intermodal hubs at Laverton, Altona had decided to move back to road from July this year. “I don’t think
and Somerton, the port rail freight shuttle service and the Port of containers on rail are the most efficient way of moving freight from
Melbourne on-dock Port Rail Transformation Project would eventually point A to B,” Mr O’Bryan told Stock & Land. WGC moved from road
replace the need for the MSIS. to the Wimmera Container Line (WCL) rail terminal at Dooen, near
However, SCT Logistics Ports and Government Relations manager, Horsham, in 2013. On average the company was sending about 35,000
Matt Eryurek, said the state government’s decision to open up more tonnes, or 1,300 containers, of pulses by rail to Melbourne each year.
routes to High Productivity Freight Vehicles would contribute to a Recently SCT’s Dooen to Melbourne service has lost a further 3,000
decline in mode shift reversal. He said SCT, which runs both road and TEU a year of WGC business to A-double trucks. “It was primarily for
rail transport, was not against the extension in HPFV routes as long as efficiencies, and weight gains, within the containers - road couldn’t handle
trucks delivered freight to intermodal hubs. “The consequence of HPFV’s those capacities,” Mr O’Bryan said. He said that had all changed with the
will be that rail freight will evaporate alarmingly,” Mr Eryurek said. He introduction of A-doubles. “We have a business to run, so the cost benefit is
said the decisions that have been made will increase the gap between significant,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, rail is an effective way of carrying
rail and road and, in addition, the state government has made a pledge a lot of containers at one time and we understand it gets trucks off the road.”
to reduce carbon emissions by 2030, but - in their words - the biggest He said uncertainty over the future of the MSIS was also a contributing factor.
contributor is using trucks to carry freight. “If MSIS goes, all of a sudden you are looking at an eight per cent increase in
Mr Eryurek said initiatives like the Port Rail Transformation Project your container fee,” Mr O’Bryan said. He said he’d continue to talk with
were to be applauded but were only a first step, as they would take WCL about its rates. “Nothing is off the table, so to speak, but for our
time to implement. He said, “In one breath, the minister keeps referring company, efficiency and dollar wise, the decision is made.”

6 RAILWAY DIGEST
 Rail industry
Two years ago Blue Lake Milling at Dimboola, moved from rail to unchanged from last year, so it remains at 20 per cent below the rate of a
road. It now moves between 350 and 400 containers a year, mainly 40’ decade ago. He said no change to the cap meant there was no incentive
boxes, by road to the Port of Melbourne. The company used to send to offer to new clients. Mr Guidera said, “Continued highway upgrades
cereal grains, including oats, through the WCL terminal at Dooen, near that allow more efficient trucks with longer and heavier payloads to
Horsham. “Since the government incentives were reduced, it made rail transport containers to Melbourne will continue to gain market share over
freight somewhat uncompetitive, compared with road freight,” Blue rail options.” He said, “The community will not gain the benefits that rail
Lake Logistics manager Georgia Cadzow said. Ms Cadzow said the services provide of reducing road trauma, road congestion, road wear and
switch had nothing to do with WCL, which had provided an excellent tear and carbon emissions as more activity will go on road.”
service and the company would go back to rail if it was cheaper. She Rail Futures Institute president John Hearsch said the MSIS was a small
said freight was a massive cost factor and businesses with low margins subsidy that helps these services remain viable in the face of ongoing
need to look at saving money, wherever they could. strong road competition. He said, “Compared to the massive financial
WCL terminal general manager Tim Guidera said the MSIS decision underpinning for rail passenger services, it’s almost infinitesimal.” One
left the scheme “in limbo”, when what was required was a major rail insider told Railway Digest that if the existing Government policies
overhaul. “There is no certainty beyond 12 months, hampering long continued Victoria would have no regional intermodal freight services
term contract negotiations,” Mr Guidera said. “The recovery dollar rate is within five years.

On Wednesday 14 April, Pacific

National intermodal freight
7902V, powered by BL27, XR559
and X50, passes through Cressy,
between Ararat and Geelong,
on its way from Mildura to
Melbourne. Scott Mitchell

Frazer-Nash to support Morley-Ellenbrook rail line

Engineering consultancy Frazer-Nash has been awarded a contract to The Government-funded $700 million rail project sees Frazer-Nash
provide specialist engineering services to support the construction of working alongside managing contractor, Laing O’Rourke.
the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook rail line in Western Australia. Frazer-Nash Australian Rail Business Manager Chris Baker said: “This
The Morley-Ellenbrook Line is Perth’s largest public transport project significant rail contract reinforces the reputation of Frazer-Nash as an
since the Mandurah Line. It will provide a significant boost to transport engineering partner of choice in the design and delivery of rail and
options for those living in Perth’s north-eastern suburbs. transportation infrastructure. We’ve been serving the rail industry in
Frazer-Nash will lead the delivery of Systems Engineering and Safety Australia and the UK for more than two decades now and the team is
Assurance for the project. This will ensure the safe integration of the new thrilled to apply our expertise to this major project.”
line’s multiple systems. It includes a RAMS analysis, where Frazer-Nash The new 21-kilometre Morley to Ellenbrook line connects the
will assess the line’s system reliability, availability, maintainability and North-Eastern suburbs of Perth directly with the city’s passenger rail
safety. network.

Railway people
M Peter Martinovich receives OAM
Mr M Peter Martinovich of WA received a Medal of the Order of Australia forces in the planning and construction of Perth’s
in the Queens Birthday list for “For service to public administration”. He MetroRail Project as Deputy Project Director,
has long been instrumental in promoting the use, technical development New MetroRail, 2003-2007 (Perth to Mandurah).
and expansion of railways in Western Australia. With Westrail he held a Mr Martinovich is also the author of many
key senior advisory role in the expansion of Perth’s urban rail network, technical publications.
including to the Northern suburbs in 1990, and was one of the driving M Peter Martinovich OAM

AUGUST 2021 7
Railway people
Greg Hood retires as ATSB Chief Commissioner
Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Chief Commissioner and In addition, under Mr Hood’s leadership, the ATSB developed a strategic
Chief Executive Officer Greg Hood retired from his position with the property plan that included the establishment of a Melbourne office
organisation on Wednesday 30 June. and increases in staffing in the agency’s Brisbane and Perth offices, and
The ATSB is Australia’s national transport safety investigator. It is an introduced a replacement program for all enterprise IT systems, including
independent Commonwealth Government statutory agency, governed the procurement of a new investigation information management system.
by a Commission and is separate from transport regulators, policy Mr Hood also oversaw a partnership agreement with the Defence
makers and service providers. The ATSB investigates transport-related Flight Safety Bureau (DFSB) to align accident investigator skillsets
(air, sea and rail) accidents and incidents within Australia. and to participate in each other’s investigation activities, and further
Mr Hood retired from the Bureau at the completion of his five-year strengthened the ATSB’s close working relationships with New South
term that began on 1 July 2016. During his tenure he drove an innovation Wales’ Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) and Victoria’s
and transformation agenda at the ATSB, which saw the introduction Chief Investigator, Transport Safety (CITS).
of world-leading practices like a multi-modal teams approach to The Commission thanked Mr Hood for his
investigations, new recruitment practices, a tertiary partnership with service, and wished him the very best for his
RMIT University, and new technologies to support investigations such well-earned retirement.
as remotely piloted aircraft and 3D modelling. All have helped to further ATSB Chief Operating Officer Colin
establish the ATSB as a global leader in transport safety investigation. McNamara will act as Chief Commissioner
In the past five years Mr Hood, with the other members of the ATSB and Chief Executive Officer pending the
Commission, approved more than 530 aviation, rail and maritime appointment of Mr Hood’s successor.
investigation reports for public release. Greg Hood

New Chair for Freight and Logistics Council of WA

Western Australian Transport Minister Rita Saffioti has welcomed the She will succeed current Chair of the Council,
Friday 25 June announcement that Megan McCracken will be appointed Nicole Lockwood, who was appointed to the
the new Chair of the Freight and Logistics Council of WA from August. role in June 2016.
Ms McCracken brings extensive knowledge to the role from her The Freight and Logistics Council of WA
three decades of experience in the resources, automotive, energy and was established in March 2009 and meets
rail industries in Western Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. bi-monthly to discuss and progress issues of
She has served on several boards and committees in the freight and strategic importance to the State’s freight and
logistics industry and since 2017 has Chaired the Board of the National logistics activities
Association of Women in Operations. Megan McCracken

RISSB Appoints Deborah Spring as CEO

On Thursday 1 July, Deborah Spring took up her new role as Chief standards development organisation for the rail industry in Australia,
Executive Officer of Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board (RISSB). and also works in New Zealand. When surveyed last year, all industry
Ms Spring, previously the Board’s Executive Chair, had been acting CEO respondents reported using RISSB’s services, and 90% accessed its suite
for two years. of products.
Rail industry veteran David George replaces her as Chair. Ms Spring During the past two years under Ms Spring’s leadership, RISSB has
will continue as an Independent Director on the RISSB Board. Both seen a 120% increase in membership, its catalogue of publications has
joined the Board in 2015. increased to over 240 and RISSB is now developing Standards for the
“We have had a lot of national and international interest in the CEO growing light rail sector.
role but recruitment has been complicated by the current environment,” RISSB has also introduced new products and services to address key
Mr George said. “When we re-assessed the process, the Board realised challenges facing industry, including the creation of a Major Projects
the best person for the job was already doing it. Deborah also realised Portfolio focusing
she was really enjoying it.” on seven key areas
Ms Spring, a mechanical engineer with an MBA from Harvard and supporting the
Business School, previously held senior executive positions with TasRail, National Rail Action
National Rail, Australia Post and Exxon-Mobil. She also has 15 years’ Plan.
experience as a professional director, including with V/Line Corporation
and the Donric Group.
Mr George has held many senior rail leadership roles in three
countries as well as serving on several boards, including TasRail and Deb Spring &
Queensland Rail. Established in 2003, RISSB is the only accredited David George

First-class Honours Graduate joins Frazer-Nash

Frazer-Nash Consultancy has appointed First-class Honours Graduate an impressive contribution to Gap analysis for
Engineer, Matthew Lane to its Engineering Asset Management team, a rocket testing Range Safety Template Toolkit
based in the firm’s Melbourne office. (RSTT) and Systems Engineering support on
Matthew joins Frazer-Nash with experience in vehicle aerodynamics, Sydney Metro City and Southwest Project.”
automation and autonomous systems, which he secured on the Monash
Formula Student team, one of the top ten worldwide.
His Group Leader, Harry Scott-Dempster at Frazer-Nash explains.
“Matthew had already spent time at Frazer-Nash as an Intern and made Matthew Lane

8 RAILWAY DIGEST
Australian Capital Territory News
Tenders open for first stage of light ACT traffic worsens as Canberrans
rail to Woden avoid public transport
Procurement for Stage 2 of the ACT light rail, the extension of the Despite the launch of the ACT Transport Recovery Plan on 29 April
existing light rail system from Civic to the southern Canberra suburb of (see June 2021 RD, page 9) the return of Canberra residents to public
Woden, has begun with the tender for enabling works to relocate utility transport appears to be slow as COVID-19 concerns continue.
assets released on Wednesday 2 June. During last year’s lockdown, traffic levels across the ACT collapsed
The scope of the early works includes moving telecommunica- and while some Canberrans are still working from home, roads are
tions and water utilities from their current location on London Circuit busier than ever in parts of suburban Gungahlin, Woden and Molonglo
between Edinburgh Avenue and Constitution Avenue, to a new location with the problem linked to commuters’ reluctance to return to buses
along Vernon Circle. and the light rail system, according to an ABC News report on Tuesday
ACT Minister for Transport and City Services Chris Steel said these 29 June.
essential utility relocation works must be completed before other light Public transport use plunged in April 2020, when workplaces across
rail projects start, such as raising London Circuit. the city were shut down. A year later, patronage was only 75 per cent of
He expected construction to begin as early as August, subject to pre-COVID-19 levels. Transport Canberra reports one in six bus and light rail
works approval. This will ensure that essential services are not disrupted passengers have not been back on board at all since the pandemic began.
once work starts on London Circuit in 2022. The city’s growing population has also added to congestion, though
The ACT Government is planning how to manage traffic disruption neither it nor public transport use explain all of the traffic changes.
in and around the city once construction begins. Whilst early works will In April 2021, Canberrans were driving about as much as they
cause some delays, the most disruptive period will begin next year. were back in “pre-COVID” 2019 but not in the same places. Transport
“Building light rail is going to be very disruptive during construction, Canberra measured traffic at more than 200 sites across the city before,
but the project will make Canberra a more connected, sustainable, and during and after the 2020 lockdown. As expected, more cars are now
vibrant city,” Mr Steel said. travelling along roads where buses and light rail were once popular, and
The ACT Government recently launched a virtual engagement where suburbs are growing quickly. However, fewer people are driving
room which will keep Canberrans up to date on the latest project to the town centres, and more Canberrans seem to be making short
developments for Stage 2 of light rail. The engagement room can be trips closer to where they live. Transport Canberra suggested this was
accessed at: www.act.gov.au/lightrailtowoden/virtual-room. linked to people working from home.
The ACT Light Rail Stage Two extension will run from Civic in ACT Transport Minister Chris Steel said he understood why some
Canberra to Woden in the southern suburbs, via the Parliamentary Canberrans had avoided returning to buses and light rail, but that
Triangle. This will provide an extension to Stage One, which runs from needed to change over time.
the Canberra CBD to Gungahlin in the northern suburbs, a distance “This has been a massive shock to the whole society … People have
of 12 kilometres. The new line will be 11 kilometres long, with 12 new formed new habits, particularly jumping in their private vehicles to get
stops along the route. around,” Mr Steel said.
Due to the significant planning approval process required to However, he warned that Canberra’s traffic — already heavier than
construct light rail through the Parliamentary Triangle, Stage Two has ever in some areas — would soon worsen due to construction projects
been split into two stages: and population growth.
Stage 2A: CBD to Commonwealth Park (1.7 kilometres), and “We don’t want to be in a situation like Melbourne, like Sydney,
Stage 2B: Commonwealth Park to Woden (nine kilometres) – where people are in gridlock, particularly in the morning and afternoon
including the Parliamentary Triangle. peaks,” he said. “That’s what we’re seeing emerge on the roads in
Stage 2A is expected to be completed in 2024. Canberra at the moment”.

New South Wales News

Reduction in speed limits for level crossings
To help increase safety at level crossings, Transport for NSW has NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole, said that
announced that road speed limits have been reduced from 100 km/h from 2001 to 2020, there were 154 crashes between trains and vehicles
to 80 km/h at level crossings controlled by boom gates and flashing at level crossings in NSW, resulting in 14 fatalities and 24 serious injuries.
lights to lower the risk of collisions. The reduced speed limit lowers the More than 30 per cent of these crashes occurred at locations where the
likelihood of a crash and should allow drivers more time to react and speed limit was 100km/h or greater. A positive outcome of the change
stop safely at a level crossing. This is especially important for heavy will be safer roads and less fatalities.
vehicles, which need more time to stop. Transport for NSW has advised that the changes will have minimal
Level crossings that have boom gates and flashing lights, rather than impact on travel times. For example, their modelling shows a sample
only ‘stop’ or ‘give way’ signs, generally have higher levels of traffic and individual trip of 286 kilometres from Parkes to Griffith (via the Newell
train use. The new speed limit of 80 km/h at level crossings must be Highway) would have a total time impact of 1.2 minutes over the entire
adopted unless: trip – approximately 0.25 seconds per kilometre.
• A lower speed limit would be appropriate in accordance with the The National Road Transport Association (NatRoad) has also raised
NSW speed zoning guidelines with Transport for NSW the need for more investigation relating to
• There are curve warning signs with an advisory speed plate of 45 km/h heavy vehicles on the physical approaches to railway crossings.
or less in which case a limit of 60 km/h or less is to be adopted For more information on specific locations and Frequently Asked
• The crossing is within 400 metres of a road terminating. Questions, please visit the Transport for NSW website.
These changes were implemented from April 2021 and will be in place NatRoad supports the implementation of measures that will improve
until 2023. the safety for all road users.

AUGUST 2021 9
News New South Wales

Above: On Wednesday 7 July, ST23 Sydney-Melbourne XPT powered by XP2009 and XP2008 leaves Goulburn, passing the 3-car Canberra
Xplorer set waiting in the Up refuge. The Xplorer was terminating at Goulburn due to the Covid-19 lockdown in Sydney. Brendan Winkler
Below: Pacific National 6422, also known as the north coast ‘pick-up goods’, had only cement wagons behind Clyde/EMD units 8216 and 8160
as it passed the steam era water tank at Telegraph Point on Saturday 10 July. Anthony Evans

10 RAILWAY DIGEST
New South Wales News
Inland rail preferred route between ARTC director of planning, communication and stakeholder directions,
Rebecca Pickering, said the route was unlikely to change now the

Illabo and Stockinbingal released preferred alignment had been confirmed.

Ms Pickering said the assistance of Mr Hermes and others over the
Five years after the federal government announced it would build nearly last five years was appreciated but there would not be any compensation
40 kilometres of new double track rail line through the New South in the short term.
Wales Riverina, a preferred route for the line has been announced. In an online update, available on the Inland Rail website, the ARTC
The 39 kilometre Illabo to Stockinbingal section of the multi-billion- said the alignment had been determined following an extensive
dollar inland rail project will bypass the townships of Cootamundra and design review, consultation with landowners and key stakeholders and
Bethungra and the winding, steep Bethungra Spiral on the NSW Main following additional ecological and cultural heritage investigations.
Southern line. The ARTC said the benefits of the route included a reduced impact
A two-kilometre wide study area has been identified and approved on vegetation, reduced earthworks and minimises impacts on local
by the Australian Government. It will mainly be built on undulating waterways. It also confirmed that the environmental impact statement
farmland used predominately for cropping and grazing. for the project would be lodged soon with the NSW Department of
Illabo landholder Ashley Hermes said the preferred route would Planning, Industry and Environment, with a public exhibition period
traverse his two farms in the area. expected late this year.
“It has to go somewhere, and I accept that the experts have A digital flyover of the project highlights the new section of track
determined that probably the best route is through my properties,” he will have a number of level crossings on both public and private roads,
said. “It’s been a long five years so far and they haven’t actually done as well as under and over bridges, including on the Burley Griffin Way
anything on the ground so I now have some certainty where it is and I which is a key freight route from the western Riverina to the Hume
can now start making plans for my business”. Highway.
Mr Hermes welcomed confirmation of the inland rail route but is The ARTC said it expected a principal contractor for the project to be
unhappy about a lack of transparency. He told ABC News on Wednesday appointed in early 2023.
16 June that he had been disappointed in the lack of transparency about A detailed map of the route can be found at: https://1worpv3xudf-
the project to date and said the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) c4dl40l1hi7fz-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/
had not offered any compensation for his cooperation. i2s-detailed-project-map.pdf

Aurizon UGL/GE locos 5026 and 5043, hauling a loaded coal train, come to a stop at the signal at the end of the Up relief line at
Rutherford on Sunday Anzac Day 25 April, as Pacific National’s empty wheat train 9537N from Bomaderry to Manildra’s terminal at
Pennys Road, Bellata, passes with Clyde/EMD locos 8165, 8231, 8113 and 8167 at the head. Bruce Gehrig

AUGUST 2021 11
News New South Wales

Above: On Friday 11 June, 24 hours after a big dump of snow on the Blue Mountains, the area around Bell station remains decently covered.
The sun is trying to see its way through the clouds as XP2012 and XP2003 power through Bell whilst working WT27 to Dubbo. Alistaire Harris
Below: Having spent most of the previous day loading, Rail First Asset Management locomotives VL 359, CM 3312, VL 354 and VL 358 prepare
to leave Narrabri West with loaded cotton containers, train 5148, en route to Port Botany at 8.45 am on Wednesday 16 June. Mike Martin

12 RAILWAY DIGEST
New South Wales News

It’s 4.09pm and there is a hive of activity on Platform 1 at Wollongong station as passengers board NSW TrainLink H set H54 on a wet afternoon
on Thursday 10 June. Bound for the southern Sydney suburb of Waterfall, where passengers may change to a suburban service to Sydney, the
train originated just over seven kilometres south of the city centre at Port Kembla station - terminus of the short branchline servicing the major
industrial suburb of the same name. The TrainLink H sets are colloquially known as OSCAR trains (Outer Suburban CAR). Lawrance Ryan

Patrick’s Port Botany industrial dispute director Paul Zalai told Grain Central he was planning to contact the
Federal Attorney-General to ascertain if a Fair Work Commission ruling

affects intermodal rail services could be obtained to reopen more rail paths to Patrick before 16 July. He
said some exporters were trying to book road freight but it was in tight
Rail services to Port Botany have become collateral damage in a dispute supply and more expensive than rail.
between Patrick stevedores and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) Ironically, Patrick is currently developing a fully automated rail terminal
over work practices. The MUA industrial action involves one-hour at Port Botany jointly funded by NSW Ports that will increase rail capacity
stoppages on each shift at 05.00, 13.00 and 21.00 and refusal to work at its terminal from around 250,000 TEU to over one million TEU a year
through meal breaks, which had been general practice. In response when fully operational. The Sydney AutoRail project Phase One was
Patrick reduced rail windows to its terminal by decreasing container lifts completed earlier this year and Phase Two, which involves increasing the
from 4,300 to 3,200 lifts a week for around three weeks from early July. terminal’s siding length to 600 metres, is expected to be completed by
Patrick Terminals CEO, Michael Jovicic, told Grain Central newswire his 2023. Patrick says the rail expansion project will improve rail turnaround
company had held meetings with the MUA over the past 18 months times, increase the number of rail windows available and reduce truck
in an effort to achieve a mutually acceptable outcome. Rail has been movements around the port by 900 a day, which equates to an estimated
hit by the dispute as it is the dominant mode for transporting export decrease in CO2 emissions of around 5,400 tonnes a year by using rail.
containers of grain, pulses, meat and cotton to Port Botany and Patrick
is the major terminal for export containers with Hutchison and DP World
playing a secondary role. Additional costs of at least $200 to $350 are
being incurred by rail operators to temporarily move containers to DP Subscribe to
World or Hutchison while awaiting handling by Patrick.
Kurt Wilkinson, commodities and intermodal division general manager
for rail operator and major sheep meat exporter, Fletcher International
Exports, told Grain Central Patrick had cancelled its rail slots for three
weeks to mid-July. Fletcher normally operates three trains a week from its
Dubbo terminal carrying a total of over 600 containers. He said due to the
problems at Port Botany Fletcher’s trains had missed windows resulting in and you’ll never miss an issue of
exports missing vessels. Pacific National’s head of agriculture, Hugh Cox, Australia’s leading railway magazine.
and Manildra Group’s logistics manager, Mark Owens, both expressed Go to www.railwaydigest.com.au
frustration over the dispute-related congestion and increased costs to subscribe online. For a digital
saying that there was a struggle to get windows to Patrick’s terminal and subscription, go to www.pocketmags.com
trains often took over ten hours to unload. Freight and Trade Alliance

AUGUST 2021 13
News New South Wales

Above: MM03 was formerly BHP locomotive 51

and was delivered new, by the builder A. Goninan
& Co in Newcastle NSW, on 3 November 1961.
There were six locomotives (based on the model
L80T or “General Electric 80 ton Switcher”)
known as the ‘37 class’ and delivered in that BHP
order numbered 48 to 53 and powered by two
Rolls Royce C6TFL turbo charged four-stroke
inline six-cylinder motors. The engines producing
423hp per unit, considered sufficient at the
time for the confines of the steelworks standard
gauge shunting requirements, 51 was based at
the Newcastle (Port Waratah) steelworks. BHP
withdrew the class on September 1999 and they
were laid up and for sale. In December 2002
Manildra Mills purchased 51 and sister 48 and
after an overhaul they emerged renumbered
as MM03 and MM04 respectively. On Tuesday
15 June, MM03 is seen stored at the top of the
Manildra Mills Yard at Manildra, where it hasn’t
seen active duties for quite some time. It has been
said that the unit is for sale “as is”. Behind MM03
is MM01, formerly NSW Railways Clyde/EMD unit
4907, which despite being in running order, sees
minimal use. The main shunting tasks at Manildra
are now undertaken by former NSW Railways
Goodwin/Alco 2,000hp locomotive 44208, which
Manildra purchased some time back from the
then CFCLA. Dave Haden
Right: On Thursday 6 May, a very clean EDI/
EMD locomotive SSR102 heads a northbound SSR
grain train through the hills near Towrang on a
wet, dreary day. Earlier that morning, the loco
was observed heading south, running “light”,
presumably to Goulburn to pick up this rake of
hopper wagons. Steve Munro

14 RAILWAY DIGEST
New South Wales News
Around Sydney
ARA welcomes new funding for Yagoona Station upgrade
Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 In early June, the NSW Government announced that, as part of the
Transport Access Program, Yagoona Station would be upgraded to
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has welcomed $50 million provide a station that is accessible to those with a disability, limited
in new funding to kick off Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 as part of the mobility, carers/parents with prams and customers with luggage.
2021-22 NSW Budget. On Tuesday 15 June ARA Chief Executive Officer The project is expected to be completed in 2023.
Caroline Wilkie said the funds for development and planning works was Key benefits will be:
an important step forward for the project. • replacing the existing station entry concourse, building and stairs
The announcement follows the release of the ARA’s latest research with a new station entry concourse from the Hume Highway
report on light rail The Renaissance of Light Rail (see July RD, page 6), including a new lift and stairs connecting the concourse to the
which confirmed the transformational impact of light rail projects. station platform
Meanwhile, the $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 is due to be • a new station building on the island platform for station facilities,
completed in 2023. including a new family accessible toilet and new male and female
On Monday 28 June it was announced that 50 per cent of the track ambulant toilets
for Stage 1 has been installed across the alignment. This milestone • additional platform canopies to provide continuous cover from the
includes more than 80 percent of track completed in Parramatta’s ‘Eat new lift and stairs to Platform 1 boarding assistance zone
Street’ and more than 60 per cent of the ballasted track laid between • two new accessible parking spaces in the Breasley Place commuter
Carlingford and Camellia completed. car park and upgrade of the two accessible parking spaces in the
Approximately 3.2 million hours have been worked across the project, Ritchie Road commuter car park
with additional work carried out during the July school holidays to complete • upgrade of pathways from both commuter car parks to the station
track work as quickly as possible while traffic volumes were lower. entrance
A celebration is planned from August as Parramatta’s Eat Street • new kiss and ride bay on Hume Highway
dining strip reopens following the completion of major construction • platform regrading and new tactile installation
along Church Street, between Market and George Streets. • relocating existing bike hoops
The 12-kilometre, $2.4 billion Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 will • upgrades to lighting, and CCTV.
connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD and Camellia Assuming it proceeds as planned, this project may provide some
and is expected to commence services in 2023. reassurance to those who fear that the conversion of the Bankstown line
Stage 2 will connect Stage 1 and the Parramatta CBD to Ermington, to a Metro operation could lead to the closure of Yagoona and Birrong
Melrose Park, Wentworth Point and Sydney Olympic Park. stations.

Work is now well underway on the

conversion of Sydney’s Carlingford
line from heavy to light rail as part
of the Westmead - Parramatta -
Carlingford light rail project. In this
Tuesday, 15 June view, looking north
from the Adderton Road bridge
at Telopea, concrete slab track is
under construction. The majority of
the line that is being constructed
on the former heavy rail alignment
is being laid with ballasted track
except for curves and at stations.
On the right a bikeway is being
constructed parallel to the line and
in the foreground Sydney-based
Anric Rail’s lifting equipment is
being put to work. The $840 million
contract to lay the light rail tracks is
being undertaken by a joint venture
of Downer and CPB Contractors. A
$536 million contract to supply and
operate the network and build the
depot, light rail stops and power
systems was awarded to the Great
River City Light Rail consortium.
The consortium includes Transdev,
the operator of Sydney’s Inner West
Light Rail, and CAF Rail Australia
– the latter supplying trams for
Sydney’s Inner West, Newcastle and
Canberra light rail networks.
John Hoyle

AUGUST 2021 15
News Queensland
First trains use GrainCorp’s Central Queensland Yamala terminal
GrainCorp’s Yamala terminal, 22 kilometres east of Emerald in Central Line and the train was propelled in to the terminal. Subsequent trains
Queensland, saw its first revenue train on Thursday, 24 June 2021 when were scheduled to serve the terminal on 30 June, 2 and 4 July. However,
Watco’s WRA Class locomotives, 007 and 004 and 42 DGWY wagons these dates were subject to alteration as grain cannot be fed by front
arrived at the terminal. The first train operated in Wired Distributed end loader and truck from bunker storage to the overline bins if it is
Power (WDP) mode with 007 leading the train and 004 at the rear. raining as it is essential the grain be kept dry. Each train was hauling just
The 1.6 kilometre siding in to the GrainCorp terminal is a dead end under 2,000 tonnes of sorghum destined to Gladstone’s export grain
arrangement so the distributed power arrangement avoided having to terminal where the grain will be positioned for export.
run the locomotives around to the other end of the train. The DGWY GrainCorp’s Yamala terminal is part of the CQ Inland Port, a 240 hectare
wagons are wired for electronically controlled pneumatic braking (ECP) industrial estate and proposed intermodal facility which is planned
and the wiring can be used for WDP. Watco says it worked closely with to include warehousing and storage, container packing/unpacking,
the WRA Class locomotive manufacturer, National Rail Equipment, who cleaning and repair facilities. Adjacent to the site is a cotton gin
collaborated with Wabtec Corporation to develop a WDP arrangement operated by Louis Dreyfus Commodities but at this stage GrainCorp is
that could operate using the ECP wiring. the only customer using rail from CQ Inland Port. GrainCorp’s $18.5
The second train arrived on 28 June with the same locomotives and million facility comprises bunker storage feeding two 1,000 tonne and
wagons but the two locomotives were leading. They were run around to two 100 tonne overline bins capable of loading around 540 tonnes of
the rear of the train at the nearby Yamala crossing loop on the Central grain an hour.

On Monday 28 June, Watco operated its second train in to GrainCorp’s Yamala terminal, adjacent to the Central line and 22 kilometres east of
Emerald. The train, comprising NRE/EMD units WRA 004 and 007 hauling 42 DGWY wagons, was loaded with just under 2,000 tonnes of sorghum
destined for Gladstone’s export grain terminal. The locomotives ran around their train at the nearby Yamala crossing loop on the Central line and
reversed the train in to the loader seen in this view. It is capable of loading around 540 tonnes of grain an hour in to a train. John Hoyle

Driver dies in Queensland train collision

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is investigating the sustained minor injuries, one was seriously injured and one was fatally
collision between a light engine and a coal train at Westwood on Friday injured. The two drivers of the coal train were uninjured.
18 June. The ATSB deployed three investigators to examine the site and
The light engine, Aurizon 2470 class EMD GL22C unit 2471, was wreckage.
being used by Queensland Rail for driver tuition. There was a tutor Queensland Police advised the driver who died was a 49-year-old
driver and two other drivers on board, and the light engine was being man from Margate, north of Brisbane. Another driver, 43, suffered a
operated westbound with the long end leading. broken leg and was flown to Rockhampton hospital. The third driver, 41,
The empty Aurizon coal train, hauled by three 3800 class electric sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by road.
locomotives, was stationary at the Westwood loop (45.05 km from The Capricorn Highway was closed for two hours so the rescue
Rockhampton). helicopter could access the crash site.
At about 11.26am Eastern Standard Time, the light engine struck the Rail services on the Blackwater Line were temporarily suspended
stationary coal train. The light engine and five wagons of the coal train while investigations into the collision were carried out.
were significantly damaged. Of the light engine’s three occupants, one The ATSB investigation is on-going.

16 RAILWAY DIGEST
Queensland News
ETCS technology begins SEQ rollout ETCS will be rolled out in several stages starting with the suburban
Shorncliffe Line where work has already commenced and is expected to
The installation of European Train Control System (ETCS) signalling be operational in 2022. This will allow testing of non-revenue services
equipment on two Queensland Rail electric multiple unit trains (EMUs) to be carried out by the end of the year, away from the main line and
began in June. freight services.
On Wednesday 23 June Queensland Transport and Main Roads
Minister Mark Bailey said the first Queensland Rail EMUs to be fitted
with new ETCS technology had arrived at a specialised facility in Manufacturers shortlisted for
Redbank.
ETCS is a well-proven signalling system, already operating in cities Queensland train building program
around the world, including in France, the UK, Saudi Arabia, India and Three train manufacturers have been shortlisted to enter the next phase
China. It will increase capacity and enhance safety on the south east of the Rollingstock Expansion Program (REP).
Queensland rail network, an essential requirement when Brisbane’s The REP will include a single Design, Build and Maintain contract
Cross River Rail services commence in 2025. for a successful supplier to deliver the Rollingstock, Maintenance and
The ETCS system relays continuous information between the train Manufacturing Package (RMM Package).
and central Rail Management Centre via a radio system, trackside It is currently contemplated that the RMM Package will include the
technology and onboard equipment. This information reports the following key components:
position, direction and speed of each train and enables the system to • Initial Fleet of 20-six car EMUs and options for a further 45, six-car
calculate safe, maximum running speeds. EMUs (together the Rollingstock Fleet)
Knowing the exact position of each train along the network means • Manufacturing Facility; and
they can be scheduled to travel closer to each other while maintaining • Maintenance of the Rollingstock Fleet.
the highest standards of safety. It also makes it possible to automatically Train manufacturers Alstom, CAF and Downer Rail have been
update train schedules, which means more accurate real time shortlisted to manufacture the first 20 trains of the new fleet in a
information for passengers. purpose-built Maryborough manufacturing facility following an
This will involve ETCS equipment being fitted to trains and tracks, extensive Expression of Interest (EOI) process run by the Queensland
and in Queensland Rail’s Rail Management Centre. New cabling, Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
technology cabinets, marker boards and radio masts and antennas will The EOI Evaluation Panel was chaired by TMR and included members
also be installed to complement existing infrastructure. The majority from TMR, Queensland Rail, Queensland Treasury, the Department of
of work will be completed, and infrastructure installed within the rail Regional Development and Manufacturing and Water in addition to an
corridor and on Queensland Rail property to minimise impact on the independent panel member and a probity specialist.
visual landscape, the community and the natural environment. On Wednesday 16 June Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister
The train fit-outs at Redbank involve the installation of new Mark Bailey said “We made a $600 million election commitment for 20
technology to the trains, including axle sensors that detect the train’s new six-car trains to be manufactured in Queensland, and we are now a
speed and two new touchscreens added to the drivers’ cabin. There step closer to delivering. “Plus, there is a further option for an additional
are currently 12 workers fitting out the trains on site at Redbank. This 45 additional trains to be built down the track.
number will increase up to 30 by the end of the year when it will be “We’ve also got $1 million for a business case to build replacement
possible to work on four trains simultaneously. A total of 64 Queensland carriages for the iconic Westlander, Inlander and Spirit of the Outback
Rail trains will be fitted with ETCS over the next two years. long-distance services right here in Queensland”.

Aurizon Goninan/GE unit 2843 leads QR’s Mt Isa to Townsville Inlander service 3231 around the Townsville Fork Line on Monday 5 July. In the wake
of the fatal collision at Westwood (see page opposite) the rail union placed a ban on operating long end leading. As the single-ended QR 2170
class units normally used must run this way when picking up and dropping off the cars, the ban prevents their use on the Inlander. Luke Horniblow

AUGUST 2021 17
News Queensland
Carmichael mine rail construction update
By early July earthworks had been virtually completed for the 189-kilometre In other Central Queensland coal mining news Pembroke Resources
railway linking the Bravus Mining & Resources Carmichael mine, north has received a $175 million loan from the Commonwealth Government’s
west of Clermont, with Aurizon Network’s Newlands/Goonyella line. The Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund to support the development
junction for the two lines is 14 kilometres south of Havilah loop and around of the company’s Olive Downs mine in the Bowen Basin. The mine
one kilometre north of the Newlands mine spur junction, 54 kilometres site is located south of the rail junction of Coppabella and east of
south of Collinsville. The new railway parallels Aurizon’s line to south of the electrified “cross country” line that links the Aurizon Network’s
Leichhardt Range loop. A Bravus spokesperson told Railway Digest that track Goonyella and Blackwater rail systems. An 18- kilometre rail spur will
laying has started in several locations using various methods and equipment, connect the mine to the line. Pembroke Resources says Olive Downs will
such as an SMD-80G track laying machine and a high production sleeper ramp up from an initial production of 4.5 million tonnes of steelmaking
laying machine. Track is being laid at a rate of about 2.5 kilometres a day coal per annum with peak production forecast to produce up to 15
across two work fronts. Martinus Rail is the track laying contractor. million tonnes a year. The company says estimated mine life is 80 years.
On 24 June Bravus announced that it had exposed its first coal seam The coal will be railed to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal near Sarina
at the Carmichael mine. Bravus CEO David Boshoff said the company for export to key international markets like Japan, South Korea, Vietnam,
was on track to produce its first coal exports late this year with a secured and India. Construction of the mine, including its rail access, is expected
market for 10 million tonnes a year. to take around 18 months.

Track laying is now under way on the 189-kilometre railway being constructed by Bravus Mining & Resources to serve their Carmichael mine in
Central Queensland. In this Monday, 21 June view from the Collinsville - Elphinstone Road a section of new track can be seen in the background while
Aurizon Network’s Leichhardt Range crossing loop on the line linking the Newlands and Goonyella systems is in the foreground. At this location
an additional road overbridge is being constructed adjacent to the one over Aurizon’s tracks while another overbridge is being constructed north
of Clermont to take the Gregory Development Road over the railway. The Carmichael mine line leaves Aurizon’s Newlands line 14 kilometres south of
Havilah crossing loop and parallels the Aurizon line to south of Leichhardt Range crossing loop before heading south west to the mine. John Hoyle

Union concerns over Cross River Rail silica dust

Concerns over silica dust at Brisbane’s Cross River Rail Woolloongabba the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority and an investigation had been
station site led the CFMEU to stop work at the site in mid-June. The launched which resulted in additional dust mitigation measures being
union says dust was being emitted from the conveyor belt carrying implemented. The Cross River Rail Delivery Authority said a review by
tunnel spoil to the surface before being loaded on to trucks because Workplace Health & Safety Queensland had confirmed there was no
the contractor, CPB, was not using water pumps to dampen the spoil non-compliance relating to the issues raised. Union members said that
in an effort to lighten the load. CFMEU branch president Royce Kupsch while measures such as covers and screens installed above ground may
told the Brisbane Times the incident was an example of “dangerous help stop dust escaping from the site, the issue could return and might
cost-cutting” from a contractor whose list of total regulatory still be impacting workers below ground.
enforcement notices was approaching that of the trouble-plagued During July the two tunnel boring machines, Else and Merle, that
Toowoomba Bypass, on which work was forced to stop. have been operating north from Woolloongabba had passed under the
South Brisbane Greens MP, Amy Macmahon, whose electorate Brisbane River and were approaching Albert Street station in the CBD.
covers the site, said she had written to Transport Minister Mark Bailey The tunnels south of Woolloongabba are being mined by roadheaders
calling on him to halt work while an investigation into the presence of which had passed under the Pacific Motorway by early July on their way
silica dust was carried out. Mr Bailey said he had referred the issue to to the Boggo Road station site, under Park Road station.

18 RAILWAY DIGEST
Queensland News
Construction start closer for Burleigh Heads light rail, five additional trams ordered
The Queensland Government announced on 5 July that construction January this year, leaving Bombardier as a business jet manufacturer.
of the Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads light rail extension (stage Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said
3) on the Gold Coast is closer to starting with an agreement to get the project will create local jobs and opportunities over the next few
early works underway. The agreement will see GoldlinQ Pty Ltd, lead years for local contractors, workers and suppliers on the Gold Coast.
contractor to the Government for the design, construction, operations He said that since 2014 the Gold Coast light rail had provided 56
and maintenance of Gold Coast light rail and GoldlinQ’s design million passengers with an alternative way to move around the city and
and construction partner, John Holland Pty Ltd, undertake detailed encouraged a significant rise in people using public transport. Mr Bailey
construction planning, identify and inspect underground services and said over the next six weeks John Holland’s team will be on the ground
start establishing a site presence along the 6.7 kilometre corridor. engaging directly with the community and businesses to ensure they are
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said fast-tracking delivery of major informed before and throughout Stage 3 construction. John Holland will
infrastructure projects was central to the government’s COVID-19 also host a Local Industry Forum in September, presenting to potential
Economic Recovery Plan. Ms Palaszczuk said, “We’ll continue to invest local suppliers on upcoming work packages and answering questions.
in transport on the Gold Coast to take more cars off the road and cater Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said seamless public transport was
for growth in the future.” The extension will feature eight stations and crucial to the Gold Coast’s future with the light rail corridor – from
provide a journey time from Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads of 17 minutes. Helensvale all the way to Coolangatta – is seen as the public transport
Costing just over $1 billion the project is being funded by the Queensland spine and from that rapid public transport connections will be provided
Government ($538.3 million), Australian Government ($395.6 million) and both east and west. Councillor Tate said studies were now underway
Gold Coast City Council ($91.5 million). At completion of Stage 3 the light into these east-west connectors which may involve hydro buses, electric
rail line from Helensvale to Burleigh Heads will be 27 kilometres in length buses and even automated transport modes including driverless
with 27 stations serviced by 23 trams. Currently the tram fleet comprises systems. He said that during September a new round of community
18 Bombardier Flexity 2 cars cars, but in mid-July Alstom announced it consultation will start to canvass views on a future 13-kilometre Stage
would be supplying five additional Flexity 2 trams for the Burleigh Heads 4 extension of light rail between Burleigh Heads and Coolangatta, via
extension. It is expected these will be virtually identical to the existing the Gold Coast Airport. The NSW Government is funding a study to
Flexity 2 cars delivered by Bombardier Transportation. Alstom completed investigate a suitable five-kilometre corridor for extending light rail
its acquisition of Bombardier’s surface transportation operations in across the border from Coolangatta to Tweed Heads.

On Friday 11 June Aurizon YU55 Brisbane to Mackay intermodal freight passes Mount Larcom station, north west of Gladstone, behind
Goninan/GE unit 2810 and Clyde/EMD unit 2360. Anthony Evans

AUGUST 2021 19
News Queensland

NGR Set 712 works D111 Caboolture Service past Lawnton on the middle road on Thursday 20 May. Jacob Howard

Increase in SPADS on Brisbane suburban network

Queensland Rail (QR) data has revealed a significant increase in Signal installation on the Northgate - Shorncliffe line in preparation for its
Passed at Danger (SPAD) incidents on the south east Queensland installation on the Cross River Rail line linking Dutton Park to Normanby
network during this year. During a Parliamentary estimates hearing last and on other parts of the suburban network (see page 17, this issue).
December Queensland Rail Chief Executive, Nick Easy, said there was a The Brisbane area SPAD issues were highlighted by the release of
“slight increase” in SPADs over the past two months but in November, an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) report on 15 April this
the rate had dropped. However, media reports indicate that QR data year relating to an incident on 10 January, 2018 just north of Bowen
revealed SPADs did not drop in November, and in fact remained higher Hills station where a collision was narrowly avoided after a driver
for each of the seven months between September and March compared of an Airport-bound train misread a red light as a green light after
with the previous year. Incidents were almost 50 per cent higher in being distracted by a problem with his adjustable seat. The automatic
March this year compared with March 2020. warning system sounded an alarm which the driver acknowledged but
Opposition transport spokesman Steve Minnikin told the Brisbane the driver did not bring the train to a halt. An automatic alert to the
Times the whole system was “under pressure”. Mr Minnikin said the Control Centre prompted a controller to instruct the driver to perform
big increase in red light running over the past eight months showed an emergency stop. The train came to a stop about 126 metres short of
the Government was losing control of rail safety. Transport Minister where an inbound suburban passenger train was to cross over from the
Mark Bailey said SPADs were an industry-wide issue faced by rail Up suburban line to the Up Main line. The ATSB report indicated that
operators across the world. “Every SPAD incident is thoroughly the driver probably turned off the alarm as an “automatic response”.
investigated by Queensland Rail to identify contributing factors and The report can be accessed at https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/
areas for improvement,” he said. “Thankfully, none of the incidents investigation_reports/2018/rair/ro-2018-002/ Of interest, the signal
resulted in serious safety issues, but of course I want to see the numbers involved in the SPAD incident, ME 45 (located on the Down suburban
come down.” Mr Bailey said Queensland Rail began an internal staff line near the Ferny Grove flyover), was also involved in an incident in
awareness campaign in March this year to reinforce SPAD-prevention March 1996 when a suburban passenger train passed the signal at
techniques. He said the campaign supported other measures that QR stop and collided with a freight train, injuring a number of passengers.
had already taken, including more driver and train controller training The signal has been the subject of a signal sighting committee review
and engagement as well as toolbox talks, human factors profiling and and the signal (and an adjacent signal on the Down Main line which
using additional trackside visual aids. could be misread as applying to the Down Suburban line) had their
Mr Bailey said the installation of European Train Control System incandescent aspects replaced with the brighter LED equipment in 2014.
(ETCS) on the Brisbane suburban network would bring about a vast The current driver route map includes signal ME45 as a ‘Black Spot/Multi
improvement in rail safety. Hitachi Rail is currently installing a pilot ETCS SPAD signal’.

20 RAILWAY DIGEST
Queensland News

Above: Watco NRE/EMD locomotives WRA 002 and WRA 005, head loaded grain train 6839 from Thallon in South-West Queensland to the Port of
Brisbane. The train is seen here heading eastwards through Lanefield (Grandchester to Rosewood) at 12.20 pm on Saturday 10 July. Mike Martin
Below: Pacific National EDI/EMD unit PN007 passes through the Mackay suburb of Paget with 8CP1 Brisbane to Cairns intermodal freight
as OneRail Australia EDI/EMD unit GWN003 is being provisioned. OneRail began operating in the Goonyella coal system in 2020 running to
Hail Creek Coal mine. As OneRail has no provisioning or depot facilities on the Goonyella network, it has leased sidings in Paget adjacent to
Mackay yard. AHCN coal wagons are now also making an appearance in Mackay, undergoing maintenance. It is unknown whether OneRail will
eventually build a locomotive and wagon facility on the Goonyella system. As reported on page 5, One Rail is for sale. Leon Harris

AUGUST 2021 21
News South Australia
will now be made available to other priority infrastructure projects with
10-year plan to remove priority level Minister Wingard asking the South Australian Department of Infrastructure

crossings across SA and Transport to fully investigate congestion busting solutions along the
Brighton Road Corridor to identify broader options to reduce travel times
A program to identify and decide on an order for the removal of South and improve safety along Brighton Road and the surrounding areas.
Australian level crossings will be developed to ensure resources and
funding are allocated to the highest priority projects. The Ten Year Level
Crossing Removal Program will prioritise locations based on potential Adelaide stations in line for upgrades
benefits, strategic importance within the network and affordability. Railway stations across metropolitan Adelaide will receive much-needed
Following extensive public consultation and after taking on board makeovers as part of a $111 million commitment (over 10 years) from
feedback received from the community, the South Australian Government the South Australian Government in the 2021-22 State Budget ($66.4
has made the decision not to proceed with the removal of the Hove Level million over the forward estimates).
Crossing (see March 2021 RD, page 20). Detailed analysis of both rail-over Fifteen stations along the Gawler Line, as well as other stations across
and rail-under Brighton Road found the least costly of the options would the network, will be upgraded providing a more enjoyable and safer
still be around $120 million more than the available budget. journey for Adelaide rail commuters and supporting 110 full-time jobs at
On Tuesday 22 June SA Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the peak of construction.
Corey Wingard, said the Ten Year Level Crossing Removal Program was South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said the funding will help
necessary, especially now level crossing removals have been elevated to to encourage more people to leave their cars at home and catch public
the Infrastructure Australia Priority List. transport
“The past six months of intensive work confirmed the rail-over option The upgrade works will include new shelters, seating and bins,
(for the Hove Level Crossing) would cost at least $290 million and lighting upgrades, painting and landscaping. The investment in the
rail-under, which was the preferred option for many in the community, station refresh program will complement an extensive cleaning blitz of
would cost close to half a billion dollars,” Minister Wingard said. “Under Adelaide Metro trains undertaken by operator Keolis Downer.
either scenario, the current budget allocation of $171 million falls far Stations to be upgraded between 2021 and 2025 include:
too short so it’s only prudent that we go back to the drawing board and • 14 stations along the Gawler Line ($20 million allocated 50:50
look in-depth at how we can remove level crossings across the state in a with the Commonwealth Government),
methodical and prioritised way”. • Ovingham station - also on the Gawler Line but funded separately
“We got it right with Oaklands (see June 2020 RD, page 49) in my ($10 million),
community and Ovingham in the city’s inner north (see June 2021 RD, • Woodlands Park station – located 9.1 kilometres from Adelaide at
page 22) and we can get it right across the rest of South Australia if we the Junction of the Seaford and Flinders line ($1.5 million),
prioritise the projects appropriately”. • Ethelton station – 13.1 kilometres from Adelaide on the Outer
The detailed planning will include developing options, community Harbor line ($5 million),
engagement, survey geo-technical investigations, constructability • Adelaide station ($6.4 million); and
assessments, design development, cost estimates and business cases. • Goodwood station – 5 kilometres from Adelaide on the Belair/
The $171 million earmarked for the Hove Level Crossing Removal Project Seaford/Flinders line ($5 million).

On Wednesday 28 April, One Rail 3AD1 Adelaide-Darwin intermodal freight approaches the Stuart Highway overpass near Glendambo behind
GWA010 and ALF18. Though it may look like a block ore train due to the large number of empty ore wagons, to be dropped off at Wirrida en-
route, there is in fact a considerable load of container wagons at the rear of the train, out of view to the right. Bob Grant

22 RAILWAY DIGEST
South Australia News

Above: Despite it being the depths of winter, a small blaze of autumn tones graces the railway precinct at Unley Park station on Wednesday 7
July. After 30 minutes in dynamic braking mode on the descent from Mount Lofty, heat haze rises from NRs 63 and 113 and banker G526 on
Pacific National’s 3MP5 service as the Adelaide Hills loom in the background. Malcolm Holdsworth
Below: SCT 008 and CSR 006 are in full flight as they pass through Pimba yard with a lengthy 2PM9 making time on a crisp Thursday morning,
24 June. Like most SCT trains, this one is near maximum length. Noel Potter

AUGUST 2021 23
News South Australia

Above: Making the most of a clear path, this 1800-metre Pacific National train (2PS7), comprising all single-deck 5-pack wagons, can operate at over
110km/h. It is seen approaching Mambray Creek, with its coastal views, on Wednesday, 31 March. The bright light to top right of frame is the solar
thermal tower on the Coles tomato farm. John Kirk
Below: One Rail Clyde/EMD unit 2260 and MKA/EMD unit 1303 lead an empty ore train through Whyalla Barson (a suburb of Whyalla) heading
out for another load of ore on Friday 23 April. Scott Mitchell

24 RAILWAY DIGEST
Victoria News

Above: As the shadows lengthen in the late afternoon of Tuesday 29 June, Clyde/EMD unit N469 approaches its destination of Warnambool
with a Down passenger service from Melbourne. Bob Grant
Below: On Monday 28 June, empty SSR grain train 2MC3 passes through Beveridge on its way from Docklands, Melbourne to Yarrawonga, on
the Oaklands line, behind 4911, S311, GM22 and CLP12. The Melbourne CBD skyline can be seen in the distance. James Chuang

AUGUST 2021 25
News Victoria
Around Melbourne
Disability advocates take legal action the Disability Discrimination Legal Service arguing their clients are being
discriminated against under Victoria’s Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

over ‘glacial’ pace of tram upgrades VCAT can make site-specific legal orders that could involve rebuilding
a tram stop to meet federal disability accessibility standards.
Commuters who use wheelchairs are taking legal action against the While traders and local councils have slowed the progress of upgrades,
Victorian government and Melbourne tram operator Yarra Trams over the department blames a lack of funding as the biggest obstacle to
their failure to keep pace with federal standards for accessible public delivering more stop upgrades, the watchdog’s audit shows.
transport. The 2017-18 and 2018-19 budget cycles included funding for just one
Five people with a range of disabilities have taken their case to the stop upgrade each. The cost of upgrading all Melbourne’s remaining
Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), in what could be the tram stops is $2 billion, according to the Victorian Department of
first of several discrimination cases levelled against the government and Transport’s calculations. Based on this, the cost of delivering accessibility
Yarra Trams over delays in upgrading Melbourne’s tram network. (via the practical enabler of a level-access stop) for a person living with
More than 1700 Melbourne tram stops must be wheelchair-accessible disability within 500 metres of a tram stop is $1,066 a head per year
by December 2022 and the entire tram fleet must have low floors by the for 30 years. (30 years is the conservative estimated useful life of an
end of 2032, under the federal Disability Standards for Accessible Public upgraded level-access tram stop.)
Transport 2002. Kerri Cassidy, executive officer of disability advocacy group Disability
According to the Victorian Auditor-General’s report Accessibility of Resource Centre said: “The government’s progress over the last 20
Tram Services – October 2020, 73 per cent of tram stops currently have years has been glacial, leaving people with disabilities deeply frustrated
non-level access and 62 per cent of trams are high floor making them and battling with systemic discrimination. Our community desperately
inaccessible to people using wheelchairs, mobility aids and prams. When needs to see a commitment to real change and urgent but achievable
these figures are combined the Auditor-General’s data analysis shows deadlines for implementing them”.
that only 15 per cent of all tram services in 2018–19 were accessible in a A government spokeswoman said $25.4 million was set aside in
meaningful sense for passengers with mobility restrictions. If upgrades this year’s budget for accessibility upgrades across the public transport
continue at the current rate, Melbourne’s existing 1,763 tram stops will network, which would support the design of seven tram stop pairs
not be fully accessible until 2066 and trams by 2045. linked to the Metro Tunnel project and a new public transport
While the first major deadline to upgrade tram stops is 2022, the accessibility strategy.
Victorian Auditor-General warned the government had already breached Since 2015 the government has invested in 50 low-floor, accessible
federal standards relating to tram infrastructure such as ramps, guard E-Class trams, which would take the fleet to 100 once fully delivered.
rails and lifts. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 17 per cent of the
The government lacks a clear plan to upgrade the network, despite population live with a disability.
facing the prospect of legal rulings against it that could put the state at The Victorian Auditor-General’s report Accessibility of Tram Services –
financial risk, the watchdog warned. October 2020 report is available at: www.audit.vic.gov.au/sites/default/
The first legal case was lodged at VCAT in late June, with lawyers from files/2020-10/20201015-Accessibility-Trams-report.pdf.

On Monday 14 June, an overhead inspection train, crewed by SSR and consisting of Clyde/EMD unit P18 long end leading, IEV102 overhead
infrastructure inspection vehicle and P17, is passing Jolimont station, having almost completed an inspection of the Mernda line. James Chuang

26 RAILWAY DIGEST
Victoria News

An X’trapolis set with 124M

trailing runs through the
rural scenery between
Eltham and Diamond Creek,
on Thursday 10 September
2020, with a Down service to
Hurstbridge. Martin Bennet

Upgrades for Melbourne tram Endangered butterfly sighting

network changes Hurstbridge line plans
The Victorian tram network has received upgrades to the busiest tram A new section of duplicated track promised by the Victorian government
corridor in the world. At the same time, a trial has commenced to expand in Melbourne’s north-east will no longer be built in order to save an
the successful Ridespace initiative online tool that allows commuters to endangered butterfly species. The $530 million track duplication project
see real-time passenger volumes on trains, to the tram network. of a section of the suburban Hurstbridge line was promised before the
During June and July, the Federation Square/Flinders Street station 2018 state election.
stop on St Kilda Road underwent upgrades including a larger platform, The project involved duplicating about three kilometres of a
improved disability access and new shelters – to reduce overcrowding and single-line section between Greensborough and east of Montmorency
improve passenger flow between Flinders Street station and the stop. station (located 21.5 and 23.5 kilometres respectively north-east of
Work crews also replaced nearly 600 metres of track on Swanston Flinders Street station), and a separate 1.5 kilometre section between
Street and St Kilda Road as part of the upgrade, providing a safety boost Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen (31.4 and 33.8 kilometres from
for passengers, quieter infrastructure and a reduced risk of derailments. Flinders Street).
The St Kilda Road upgrade is part of the Victorian Government’s Work started on the project in late 2020 but was paused after a local
maintenance and renewal program, which delivered $640 million of resident spotted the endangered Eltham copper butterfly in remnant
works across the public transport network this financial year. bushland near Montmorency station in January. This prompted the
The St Kilda Road business precinct and Shrine of Remembrance will Level Crossing Removal Authority to alert the federal Department of
be accessed by the new Metro Tunnel Project’s Anzac Station when it Agriculture, Water and the Environment about the discovery.
opens in 2025. The new station is strategically located to ease pressure The state government looked set to face a lengthy environmental
on the St Kilda Road/Swanston Street tram corridor and will include an approvals process to proceed with the works. Instead, the government
interchange with a tram super stop on St Kilda Road. has withdrawn a section of its planned duplication that would have cut
During the upgrade works, St Kilda Road was closed to vehicles and through the butterfly habitat. Under the revised plan, 950 metres of
trams between Flinders Street and Southbank Boulevard from Sunday, the Hurstbridge line will no longer be duplicated east of Montmorency
27 June until Monday, 12 July and Southbank Boulevard was closed station — where the butterfly habitat is located.
between St Kilda Road and Sturt Street. Detours were in place for road Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said the
traffic while tram routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 were impacted. government had to act quickly to ensure it was following federal
“This stretch from Southbank Boulevard through to Melbourne environmental legislation.
University is the busiest tram corridor in the world”, said Victorian The Eltham copper butterfly, which is nationally listed as endangered,
Minister for Roads and Road Safety Ben Carrol on Friday 25 June. “These is found only at several sites around Eltham and in isolated spots in
improvements will create a better travel experience for both commuters Castlemaine, Bendigo and Kiata, near Nhill. It was considered extinct
and people visiting some of Melbourne’s most popular attractions like from the 1950s, until it was rediscovered in Eltham in 1986.
Federation Square and the arts precinct”. Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the
As more passengers return to the network, the real-time arrival and government had to ensure no services would be sacrificed. “It certainly
passenger capacity indicator RideSpace, that was introduced in February does compromise the duplication and they do need to make sure the
2021 to allow commuters to see how crowded selected stations and trains rest of the project is optimised to reduce train delays,” he said.
are ahead of them taking their journey, has been expanded with trials The federal Environment Department said substantial civil or criminal
underway on tram route 59 which travels between Essendon and the city. penalties would apply to any person who carried out work that posed
Over the coming months, this tram trial will assess passenger counting significant impact to a nationally endangered species without the proper
technology and data accuracy before being rolled out to passengers. approvals in place.

AUGUST 2021 27
News Western Australia
Bellevue METRONET Railcar Facility The $1.25 billion railcar contract, awarded to Alstom, is the biggest
order of railcars in WA history and came in $347 million under budget.

opened Work on the new trains will commence later this year, with the first
anticipated to be on the tracks in late 2022.
Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita
Saffioti officially opened the Bellevue METRONET Railcar Facility on
Wednesday 9 June. Solar panels for Perth railway
A total of 246 new C-series EMU railcars (102 for METRONET projects
and 144 to replace aging A-series EMU railcars) and six new Australind stations and bus stops
diesel railcars will be built, tested and maintained at the new Bellevue The Western Australian government is rolling out solar panels at more
facility, which has been built over the last 17 months (see May 2020 RD, than 50 railway stations and bus stops across Perth. Over 1,000kW of
page 26) using 8,500 tonnes of locally fabricated steel. solar panels are being installed that once operational are expected to
The facilities include a 180 metre-long building with a railcar assembly produce enough energy to power 360 homes.
area, offices, workshops and storage areas, two overhead cranes able to By mid-June solar panels had been installed at East Perth (80x
lift 25 tonnes each, and a heavy maintenance track with a crane capable of 450W panels), Rockingham (74x 450W panels) and Currambine (88x
lifting 10 tonnes. The project returns rail manufacturing to the Midland area 450W panels) stations, with work scheduled to begin at Murdoch and
for the first time since 1994 when the old Midland Railway Workshops were Bull Creek stations. Solar panels were also installed on High Wycombe
closed. At least 50 per cent of the contract value will be delivered locally. station in 2020 as part of METRONET’s Forrestfield Airport Link.
With the facility handed over to operator Alstom, the first of WA’s nine A feasibility study to confirm the list of 50 railway stations is currently
current METRONET projects is now complete. underway, with the full rollout anticipated to be completed by mid-2022.
A number of local suppliers have been awarded contracts on the At the same time eight bus stops have had solar panels installed –
railcar project: Booragoon, Kwinana, Morley, Victoria Park, James Street, Mirrabooka,
• Australian company McConnell, which will establish a dedicated Henley Brook and Optus Stadium. The power generated at these facilities
facility in WA to manufacture railcar passenger seats; will power lighting, ticket machines, signage and driver facilities.
• Aerison, a WA company with fabrication facility in Forrestfield, to The electricity generated by the railway station installations will be used
provide cab structures, battery boxes and fuel tanks; for similar purposes but will also be used to power lifts and escalators.
• Knorr-Bremse, will supply air-conditioning and air supply equipment More than $1.8 million has been allocated to the program through
and brake components from its WA premises; the WA Recovery Plan, which aims to support the economy and local
• Pyrotek, will be supplying insulation and floor panels; jobs through COVID-19.
• Austbreck, will be supplying pantographs from its Kewdale facility; The first tranche of stations to receive solar panels through the WA
• Hofmann Engineering will be delivering bogie frames from their Recovery Plan are:
existing WA premises; Joondalup line (distance from Perth station)
• Vector Lifting, based in Cockburn, delivering bogie turntables and Leederville - 3.2 km
lifting jacks; Edgewater - 23 km
• Kulbardi, a WA indigenous company which supplied furniture for Currambine - 29.2 km
the facility; Clarkson - 33.2 km
• Parker Hannifin, which will supply piping from their Welshpool facility; Butler - 40.7 km
• Camco, based in Canning Vale, which provides jigs and fixtures for Mandurah line (distance from Perth station)
Bellevue; Bull Creek - 11.7 km
• Unique Metal, a Wangara sheet metal fabricator which will provide Murdoch - 13.8 km
metallic components; Rockingham - 43.2 km
• Dellner, will procure components from WA suppliers and assemble Midland line (distance from Perth station)
the couplers in Australia; East Perth - 1.9 km
• Chess Engineering, from Welshpool, which is assembling the fitting Thornlie Line (distance from Perth station)
stations at the facility. Thornlie - 17 km

Left: Clyde/EMD units G511 and

GL104 at Leonora silos on Monday 12
July, loading nickel for Watco service
2472 to Hampton smelter, south of
Kalgoorlie. Watco, in partnership
with Qube, took over this traffic from
Aurizon in April 2021 (see next page).
Nick Clarke
Above right (page 29): On Saturday
1 May, a two-car Prospector set rolls
across the Swan River at Guildford,
nearing the end of its journey from
Kalgoorlie to East Perth Terminal.
Larry Zanker

28 RAILWAY DIGEST
Western Australia News

Preparation begins for Perth’s Arc Infrastructure supports WA

biggest public transport shutdown Goldfields rail development
Work has begun on preparations for the temporary partial closure of Arc Infrastructure has completed more than $3 million of works to
the Mandurah Line for up to 25 days in late December, due to major support Watco and Qube with their new Goldfields rail operations.
construction on the METRONET Thornlie-Cockburn Link. Watco and Qube were recently awarded the freight logistics contract
This will be the biggest ever shutdown of Perth’s public transport for the BHP Nickel West transport task, which will see various products
network with the Mandurah line, which services up to 60,000 journeys being transported between multiple Goldfields locations, and the ports
a day, to close completely between Aubin Grove station (located 24.3 of Kwinana and Fremantle via the Arc-managed WA freight rail network.
kilometres from Perth station) and Elizabeth Quay station at the southern To facilitate the transportation of this task via rail, Arc, in conjunction
end of the Perth CBD. In addition, services will run at a reduced capacity with Qube and Watco, completed the preliminary stage works on a new
between Aubin Grove and Mandurah (70.1 kilometres from Perth). rail and intermodal terminal at the Hampton ballast siding (located 19
From Monday 7 June, the Public Transport Authority of WA began kilometres south of Kalgoorlie) on the Esperance line ahead of operations
surveying commuters at stations along the Mandurah line, including at commencing last March to serve the nearby Hampton Nickel smelter.
Perth Underground, to help understand potential impacts of the closure, Arc Infrastructure’s General Manager Commercial and Development,
how to best target the bus replacement capacity and how to best Nathan Speed, said the business welcomed the opportunity to work
communicate shutdown travel options with passengers. with Qube and Watco to ensure rail remained a key part of BHP Nickel
Other travel options will be considered, including encouraging West’s supply chain. “There was a very real risk a large part of this task
commuters to travel along the Armadale Line and fast replacement could have moved to road but thanks to the hard work of our people,
bus services. This will be undertaken alongside engagement with key and Watco and Qube, we were able to demonstrate the continued
stakeholders. competitiveness and flexibility of the rail supply chain, compared to
Work is also being undertaken by the Public Transport Authority to road,” Mr Speed said.
arrange replacement bus services for affected commuters and specific The works to date have included the development of two new rail
services for key workers, including at Fiona Stanley Hospital, a state sidings, container storage and transfer facilities and rail provisioning
government hospital and teaching facility in Murdoch. services, which will sit alongside Arc’s existing ballast storage and works
More information about replacement services and the timing will be delivery operations.
made available closer to the shutdown. Whilst the preliminary stage works are now complete, a program of
Major works will be undertaken on the Thornlie-Cockburn Link, from ongoing works is planned to future-proof the Hampton site for expected
where the Thornlie Line enters the Kwinana Freeway through the Glen growth in the Goldfields region.
Iris tunnel down to Cockburn Central station. The project will also turn its focus to Leonora (terminus of the Kalgoorlie
A number of options to deliver the required work were assessed and to Leongatha line – 259 kilometres north of Kalgoorlie), where similar
this was considered to be the safest and least disruptive. To limit the new rail infrastructure will be required to facilitate increasing rail freight
disruption time, significant supporting works will be delivered outside from the north of the region. This will see further investment in the
rail operating hours. network by year’s end.
The Thornlie-Cockburn Link will be Perth’s first east-west cross line The Hampton Intermodal Terminal was officially opened on Monday
connection, linking the Mandurah and Armadale lines and making travel 21 June at an event attended by WA Member for the Agricultural Region
through the southern suburbs quicker and more flexible. Darren West MLC and Mayor of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder John Bowler.

AUGUST 2021 29
Melbourne Suburban
Railway Report
David Campbell

30 RAILWAY DIGEST
T
his article is intended to give readers an introduction to combination which saw them withdrawn as soon as could be arranged).
Melbourne’s suburban railway network, showing the routes and Newer trains were introduced from 1972 (Hitachi), then the Comeng
train types in use as at the date of publication, and provide a trains from 1982. The last few of the ancient swing-door trains were
reference for railway enthusiasts. Technical details and specific finally withdrawn with the arrival of the initial batch of Hitachi trains,
dates are outside the scope of this article; rather I am aiming to provide while the Tait trains were withdrawn as more Hitachi trains came into
a starting point for visitors and perhaps a reference for future historians. use, until the introduction of the Comeng trains finally saw the end of
the wooden-bodied trains (by then having provided 70 or more years of
HISTORICAL CONTEXT service), while the Harris trains continued into the mid-1980’s with the
Melbourne’s suburban railway system commenced operating in completion of the Comeng order.
September 1854, with the opening of the railway from what is now In respect of preservation, a five-carriage Tait set is being
Flinders Street station to Sandridge (later Port Melbourne), importantly re-commissioned for main line heritage trips, while almost all swing-door
being the first steam powered railway in Australia. A second suburban sets have disappeared. Only three Harris carriages are known to survive,
railway opened to St Kilda in 1857. excluding the carriages heavily upgraded as “H” sets for short distance
Many of the early suburban lines were privately built and operated, loco-hauled regional services.
however various financial failings and/or inadequate construction or The Hitachi trains were mostly massacred by the arrival of the
operating standards of these railways saw them progressively absorbed Siemens and first delivery X’trapolis trains, most disappearing as soon as
into the Victorian Government Railways by the 1880’s. replacement trains were delivered (on a one-for-one basis); a few trains
By the start of the 20th Century, Melbourne had the most extensive managed to survive for a few more years, their survival being due to the
suburban railway network in Australia, and electrification from 1919 massive increase in patronage at that time. By 2014 the last sets were
(Australia’s first suburban network so upgraded) was based around the withdrawn, their continuing operation having caused some headaches,
best available technology, using the then state-of-the-art 1500v DC as their mild steel frames were showing severe corrosion by then. None
for overhead power supplied over tracks that had just been expanded remain in serviceable condition, nor are any preserved serviceable.
with major grade separations, duplication or even quadruplication of One four-car double-deck train was introduced into service in 1992.
tracks, and introducing new signalling systems. The system at that time Based on Sydney’s Tangara trains, the train was designed to allow it
incorporated the Victorian Railway’s own power station, built on the to operate seamlessly with the existing Comeng trains, and for some
banks of the Yarra River in Spotswood. time would run coupled to a 3-carriage Comeng set. The quiet and
Having achieved such technological superiority, Melbourne and the comfortable train was popular with crews and customers alike, and it
State then seemed to relax, with suburban rail investment being ignored was used for around 10 years before the decision was made to retire
by successive governments over several decades. The opening of the it, apparently mostly because only the one train was delivered and the
Glen Waverley line in 1930 was the last new railway built for suburban non-standard train became more trouble than it was worth. The train
trains until the Underground Rail Loop opened in 1981; even then, the was finally stripped of parts and scrapped in 2006. No other attempts to
majority of trains on the network were either the wooden “Tait” trains introduce double-decked trains have been made, although this train did
dating back to 1910 (originally hauled by steam locos), or the “Harris” at least demonstrate that it is feasible to operate double-deck trains on
trains (built from 1956 of mild steel and insulated with asbestos, a nasty the Lilydale, Belgrave, Pakenham and Werribee lines.

Left (page 30): On Friday 11 June, a Comeng set led by 342M is seen at Richmond Junction running the 15:56 Down service to Cranbourne.
342M is a former M>Train set – identified by the presence of the large destination indicator. Martin Bennet
Above: Near the Altona Loop junction on Saturday 15 May, a former Connex Comeng set passes the restored Tait set, doing mainline testing
between Newport, Laverton and Werribee, under its own power for the first time since early 2004. James Chuang

AUGUST 2021 31
 The Victorian State Government continued to own and operate the
system as it grew until changes in political ideology saw the system
divided into two portions (“business units”) in 1997, before private
operators gained control of the networks in 1999 under franchising
arrangements. The network at this time should be thought of as
composed of four Groups, and we will continue to look at the network
today through the perspective of being those same four Groups, which
will be described later.
The private operations commenced on 29 August 1999, with
M>train (part of the U.K.’s National Express) taking over the North
Melbourne and the South Yarra Groups, while Connex Trains (part
of the French Veolia business) took over the Clifton Hill and Burnley
Groups. The reasoning of providing two separate Networks was to
provide “competition”, however observers remarked that in reality
customers had no choice as to which Company’s trains to travel on, as
each “network” only serviced their own Groups.
M>train suddenly withdrew from its Victorian obligations in
December 2002, forcing the State government to take control of the
South Yarra and North Melbourne Groups again until those operations
were transferred to Connex from April 2004. Connex then operated
the entire Network until their franchise ended in November 2009, after
which all operations were undertaken by Metro Trains Melbourne,
a joint venture between the Chinese-owned MTR Corporation, John
Holland Group, and UGL Rail (the same Partnership which incidentally
operates Sydney’s Metro network).

NETWORK DESCRIPTIONS
The central point of suburban services is the famous Flinders Street
station. This iconic landmark might be thought of as the hub of the
network, from which lines radiate out similarly to the spokes of a wheel.
In describing the Network, it remains convenient to refer to trains
running to/from here.
Complicating things somewhat is the City Underground Loop. More
precisely described as four individual balloon loops, each with a portal
into either Flinders Street or nearby Southern Cross station. The balloon
loop configuration is completed with the six tracks between Flinders
Street and Southern Cross, known as the Flinders Street Viaduct.
Regional (V/Line) trains operate from Southern Cross, minimising
mutual disruption between suburban and regional services, although
many trains pass through both stations.

North Melbourne Group

This Group is easily described as referring to those lines running through
North Melbourne. Trains run to Upfield, Craigieburn, Flemington
Racecourse, Sunbury, Werribee, and Williamstown, and inbound trains
can run from North Melbourne through the Northern Underground
Loop to Flinders Street (turning around in the process to face the
opposite direction), or via Southern Cross and the Northern Loop
Viaduct line or the Through Suburban Viaduct line to Flinders Street.
Six tracks exist between Flinders Street and North Melbourne, with
separate V/line tracks on either side from Southern Cross to just prior
to North Melbourne. The six suburban tracks continue to Moonee
Ponds Creek, from where two swing around at ground level towards the manual signalling (Double Line Block to Fawkner, then Train Staff
Kensington, with the remaining four continuing through South and Ticket beyond), and numerous level crossings protected by hand
Kensington to Footscray. Another two tracks junction just past North operated gates then in use. A review in the mid-1990’s determined
Melbourne station, crossing above the Footscray lines and swinging that the line would be retained and upgraded, and the introduction of
around to connect with the Craigieburn line at Kensington, while the power signals and boom barriers at all level crossings allowed a massive
Upfield line branches off immediately after North Melbourne station, reduction in operating costs, while duplication from Fawkner to Gowrie
then crosses over the remaining tracks at ground level. Stabling yards allowed for more services and better frequencies. Improved frequency
are provided at North Melbourne between the other suburban lines, as of trains and the introduction after the upgrade works of evening and
well as at Melbourne Yard, on the site of the old goods arrivals tracks, Sunday trains drove a huge leap in passenger loadings, and where once
tucked between some of the regional tracks. a 3-car train was plenty, now all trains run as 6-car sets. The section
The Upfield line junctions from North Melbourne, and runs through from Gowrie to Upfield remains as single track. Usually only suburban
the Royal Park gardens past the Melbourne Zoo, then parallels Sydney passenger trains use this line. The railway once extended to Somerton,
Road to its destination. A stabling yard and light repair facility is linking (indirectly) with the Craigieburn line; this section served several
provided just past North Melbourne Junction (referred to as Macaulay industrial sidings but has been out of use for over 20 years. Trains usually
Stabling Sidings), and more stabling sidings are provided at Upfield, operate all the way to Upfield, but may terminate at Coburg.
around 19km from Melbourne. This railway had been under threat for The Craigieburn line also junctions at North Melbourne, and is
several years by the 1990’s, with operating costs unusually high due to double track throughout. A stabling yard is provided at Broadmeadows,

32 RAILWAY DIGEST
and another stabling yard with a major maintenance facility is provided The current official map of the Victorian train network, showing all
at Craigieburn (26km). A siding at Kensington serves a flour mill, metropolitan and regional railway stations within the state.
which sees several grain trains weekly operated by Southern Shorthaul Courtesy Public Transport Victoria
Railroad, and is one of the few inner suburban factory sidings still
using rail. The first electric passenger trains in Australia ran along this The short (2km long) Flemington Racecourse line diverges from the
line to Essendon from 1919. Suburban trains usually run all the way to Craigieburn line at Newmarket (4km). This line was once busy with
Craigieburn, with some peak-hour trains terminating at Broadmeadows, livestock trains delivering for the saleyards and abattoirs back in the
while Essendon retains the capacity to terminate trains if required. The “meat and two vegies” days; those factories with their certain smells are
line is also used by V/Line services to Seymour and Shepparton, and long gone and the area beautified. Trains run out regularly for stabling
by freight trains running to Kilmore East (the Hanson Quarry “APEX” between the morning and afternoon peaks, while special events such as
Siding), as well as the Tocumwal line; most freight trains diverge at Melbourne’s Spring Racing Carnival allow passengers to ride this line.
Broadmeadows onto a freight-only line to Albion, avoiding interactions The Showgrounds platform also sees trains for special events, including
with suburban services, although if you’re lucky you might see a freight senior school exams, music concerts, and of course the Show, an event
train running along the passenger lines down Oliver’s Hill (between extending for close to two weeks every September. This double line
Pascoe Vale and Glenroy). The standard gauge line to Seymour/Albury/ track always seems somewhat relaxed, and well worth a ride if you can
Sydney parallels this line north of Broadmeadows, but is completely arrange one. Trains may operate to the Showgrounds only, or continue
isolated from the suburban lines. all the way to Flemington Racecourse.

AUGUST 2021 33
A service to Watergardens, led by Siemens unit 752M, heads west out of Sunshine station on Saturday 8 May. Peter Reading

The Sunbury line follows the route of the original Main Line Operators place their vehicles for repairs or other works to this day;
(Melbourne – Bendigo). Usually the junction is at North Melbourne this is also the base for main line Heritage operations by Steamrail, 707
Junction, with the four tracks to Footscray seeing Sunbury line trains Operations, and by DERMPAV. This is the only stabling yard provided
running parallel to the Werribee/Williamstown line, although the for suburban trains along this corridor. The standard gauge line to
crossovers at South Kensington allow for some flexibility. South Adelaide/Perth/Darwin runs beside the broad gauge tracks, but is
Kensington only has platforms on what are usually the Newport lines, completely separated from them.
so Sunbury trains almost never stop there, providing a little express The Werribee line heads south-west beyond Newport, and while
running. V/line services use the Regional Rail Link tracks, running the main lines are duplicated, the “branch line” through Altona to
alongside to Sunshine, although suburban trains cannot use those Laverton is single track, with a crossing loop provided at Westona.
unwired tracks. Trains may either run directly from Newport to Laverton, or via the
The line beyond Footscray is duplicated in its entirety. Stabling Altona track before re-joining the main lines at Laverton. The Mobil oil
yards are provided at Sydenham (latterly re-named Watergardens refinery at Altona Junction has retained its siding, but since the loss of
for a nearby shopping centre), Calder Park, and Sunbury. This line oil traffic from rail this siding has only been used as required for track
is expected to become part of the new Metro Tunnel (more below), maintenance purposes. The main line continues beyond Werribee to
which will see significant changes to its operation. Regional passenger Manor Junction, converging with the Regional Rail Link tracks; usually
and freight trains share the tracks beyond Sunshine, while connections only a couple of broad gauge freight trains use this line daily. Werribee is
at the Up end allow them to use the RRL tracks, or freight trains may 32km from Melbourne, another couple of kilometres longer via Altona.
use the Independent Goods Lines to run via Tottenham yard, largely Suburban trains may terminate at Newport, Laverton or Werribee.
by-passing the intensely used suburban tracks. Sunshine can be quite a The Williamstown line was part of the first Victorian Government
busy place, with freight trains using the unwired track through Brooklyn Railway, opening in 1859. This line is now double track until just before
towards Newport, and Ballarat/Geelong trains diverging at the Down the terminus, terminating in a single platform. Once this railway was
end. Standard gauge trains along the Seymour/Albury/Sydney line are busy with international shipping traffic, which was effectively lost
completely separated from the suburban lines. Sunbury is 39km from once ships started specialising in bulk or containerised products; little
Melbourne. Suburban trains may terminate at Sunshine or Sydenham as remains of the once substantial goods sheds and areas which dealt
well as at Sunbury. with this traffic. The line once extended to Williamstown Pier, but that
The Werribee/Williamstown line parallels the Sunbury line to short section closed in 1987. The Williamstown line passes the Newport
Footscray, then veers south toward Newport. Newport is another busy Workshops, allowing enthusiasts some glimpses of various rolling stock
junction which mostly sees trains heading towards either the Werribee activities, and much of the short journey is surprisingly interesting.
or Williamstown lines, while freight trains from Brooklyn can access the Through services operate during the day until after the evening peak,
suburban tracks here to continue through Werribee toward Geelong when services are run as 3-car shuttles to Newport. Williamstown
or beyond. The ancient Newport Workshops is located in the space is 14km from Melbourne. No intermediate terminating facilities are
between the Werribee and the Williamstown lines, and sees several provided.

34 RAILWAY DIGEST
South Yarra Group Trains leaving Caulfield pass a couple of sidings on the right before
This Group comprises the lines running to Sandringham, Frankston Glenhuntly; these sidings are mostly used to stage trains. All trains
and Dandenong. Up to 12 tracks are provided from Flinders Street have to slow at Glenhuntly to cross one of the three surviving at-grade
to Richmond, although by then the tracks have merged into 10. Six tramway crossings. Rail movements at Frankston are still controlled
tracks continue to South Yarra, where the tracks to Caulfield veer by a traditional signal box, complete with mechanical interlocking
left while the Sandringham line continues ahead. Up trains can run and even a few disc signals, although this wonderful anachronism will
directly into Flinders Street, or access the Caulfield Underground Loop soon be replaced with electronic points and signals, operated remotely
from Richmond via one of two portals (the tracks combining within the from a new signal control centre at Kananook. Trains may stable at
tunnel), this Underground Loop curves around and returns to ground Mordialloc, Kananook, and Frankston, and may terminate at Moorabbin,
level at Southern Cross, after which trains run via the Caulfield Loop Cheltenham, Mordialloc and Frankston. Two freight trains run daily in
Viaduct line to Flinders Street, having completely changed direction. each direction, heading down to the Long Island steelworks complex.
By the time any Down train reaches Richmond, it is committed to run to Overhead electrical traction wiring ends at Frankston, after which
either Sandringham, or on one of two pairs of track to Caulfield; these Metro Trains Melbourne operate services to Stony Point, using Sprinter
destinations are set by the time trains pass the Melbourne Cricket Ground. railcars on loan from V/Line. Stony Point (74km) terminates adjacent
The double track to Sandringham (19km) gives passengers some nice to Westernport Bay, and is a nice walk to the jetty, and this semi-rural
views of inner Melbourne suburbs, complete with a terrific run beside Port branch line makes a change from the usual hustle of the City. This track
Philip Bay at Brighton Beach. Stabling sidings are provided at Sandringham is single line, with a junction prior to Hastings allowing freight trains to
and Brighton Beach (the signal box there is worked by an historically diverge into the Long Island steel works.
important GRS “pistol grip” electro-mechanical interlocking machine, the The line from Caulfield to Dandenong (31km) is duplicated throughout,
machine, signal box and station dating back to the electrification days). with much of it now placed on the once-controversial “Skyrail” (elevated
Trains run frequently through the day, and this line is usually operated tracks eliminating numerous level crossings). The “Skyrail” viaduct
separately from other tracks, individual trains often running on this line for sections provide travellers with long-range views across the Melbourne
several days before perhaps being transposed for maintenance. suburbs, from where you can really appreciate just how relatively flat
The four tracks to Caulfield were reconstructed from the original Melbourne is. A large stabling yard with a small repair workshop is
two immediately prior to the 1919 electrification, the opportunity also provided at Westall (beside the unloading point for the Hanson Quarry
being taken to provide new stations and remove all level crossings, trains, which use this siding on most weekdays), and another stabling
leaving a huge legacy of good design that still functions well to this yard is at Dandenong. Trains may terminate at Oakleigh, Westall and
day. The railway runs through cuttings to Malvern then on an elevated Dandenong. Dandenong is also the junction for the Pakenham and
embankment to Caulfield. Crossovers are provided at Caulfield, allowing Cranbourne lines.
trains to be switched to the Frankston or Dandenong lines as necessary. Trains departing Dandenong swing to the right to head to Cranbourne
The line to Frankston (44km) runs through Melbourne’s bayside (45km). This segment is the sole surviving portion of the Great Southern
suburbs, and some nice views of the Bay are seen along the way. Railway, which once ran to Alberton/Yarram/Woodside/Barry Beach/
When I was a suburban train driver I always enjoyed the views of Wonthaggi and many short branch line to various coal mines. Cranbourne
the Bay and shipping movements around Carrum, now with a grade was once a quiet country station but now is quite a busy little place,
separation project those views are even better. Three tracks are with two platforms and six stabling sidings. The line was opened as a
provided to Moorabbin (the centre one is signalled for bi-directional single line, but thankfully now much has been duplicated, with further
running), while two tracks are then provided all the way to Frankston. duplication works underway in conjunction with level crossing removals.

At Dandenong, on Tuesday 27 May 2020, a Cranbourne-bound Siemens set passes Clyde/EMD locomotive B74, which with sibling unit B80, is
in the process of shunting the Qube Cement Train. Brian Hastings

AUGUST 2021 35
The Frankston to Stony Point line is worked by Sprinter railcars, on loan from V/Line. On Sunday 25 October 2020 a two-car set, led by 7012 –
the first Sprinter to receive the new PTV livery, as well as various minor upgrades – departs Baxter, bound for Stony Point. Tim Sutherland

Soon after leaving Dandenong, the line passes several sidings, serving having changed direction in the process. Freight trains do not operate
the Bombardier/Alstom plant which is currently building V’Locity DMU on this Group, although if you are lucky you might get to sight locos
trains for V/Line, E class articulated trams for Yarra Trams and a second hauling plant trains or hauling trains between workshops.
order of EMUs for the Adelaide suburban network in conjunction with Burnley station is the junction for the Glen Waverley line, which
electrification to Gawler. The line also passes the sidings used by QUBE’s Down trains access via a flyover across the tracks to Ringwood. A
cement trains which usually seem to run sporadically. This corridor serves small stabling yard is located after the junction between the railway, a
a busy growth area, and various groups are striving to have parts of the freeway, and the Yarra River, after which trains proceed on their way.
railway beyond Cranbourne re-opened to serve these developing suburbs. Heyington station is the first stop; this is noteworthy (for the wrong
The railway to Pakenham (58km) is part of the Bairnsdale line. Once reasons) as it is the only station in the Metropolitan network lacking
electrified to Traralgon, the L class electric locos were withdrawn in disability access. More conventional railway interest is found at the next
1987; a few daily suburban electric trains continued to Warragul for station, Kooyong, as this is the site of another tramway level crossing.
several more years before the remains of the overhead line electrification A relatively uneventful run follows to Glen Waverley (22km) on double
was removed in conjunction with the Regional Fast Rail project 15 years ago. track, with crossovers at Darling allowing trains to terminate. The final
Suburban trains were very much running to Pakenham by then, and this few stops from Holmesglen feature 1:30 hills, the equal steepest in
has continued. This line is duplicated throughout, with a trailing crossover Victoria. A few stabling sidings are located at Glen Waverley. The railway
at Berwick allowing trains to terminate if needed, while Pakenham has originally opened here in 1930, however the last couple of hundred
a stabling yard opposite the platforms. The area adjacent to the railway metres were removed soon after to allow for construction of a shopping
from Dandenong has seen large increases in population, generating centre and car park.
substantial demand for more trains. The High Capacity Metro Train Three tracks run from Burnley to Camberwell, junction for the
project has set up a large yard at Pakenham East (62km), complete with Alamein line. This is the only portion of the famous/notorious Outer
train wash, workshops, balloon loop/test track, and numerous stabling Circle railway continuing in use (that railway originally linked Fairfield
sidings. The track through the platforms at Pakenham and out to through East Camberwell and East Malvern to Oakleigh). The double
Pakenham East is signalled for bi-directional running, and the place can track section to Ashburton managed to survive, and the extension to
get quite busy at times with frequent V/Line services as well as QUBE’s Alamein (16km) re-opened in 1948. Melbourne’s third tramway level
daily intermodal train heading to/from the Maryvale Paper Mill. crossing is located at Riversdale, where trains can also terminate, after
which a pleasant run follows through some leafy suburbs to Ashburton
Burnley Group (end of duplication), then a short run along a single track down the
Four tracks from Flinders Street running through Richmond carry trains hill to Alamein, the line ending abruptly just past the platform. If you
running on the Burnley Group. These four tracks continue to Burnley stand on the platform on a quiet evening, it is quite possible to hear
(junction for the Glen Waverley line), then three continue through trains running through East Malvern on the Glen Waverley line, and
Camberwell (junction for the Alamein line) to Box Hill, then two even trains running near Oakleigh on the Dandenong line, while the
continue on to Ringwood. Ringwood is the junction for the Lilydale embankment leading down towards Gardiners Creek and a couple of
and Belgrave lines. Up trains departing Richmond can run directly into overhead wiring structures remain. Camberwell has a small stabling
Flinders Street, or run via the Burnley Underground Loop to Southern yard, and shuttle trains running from here to Alamein provide most
Cross, then via the Burnley Loop Viaduct line to Flinders Street, again services apart from some peak hour through trips to Melbourne.

36 RAILWAY DIGEST
Above: On Sunday 16 August 2020, as Melbourne gets used to a Stage 4 Lockdown, X’Trapolis 87M has arrived at Alamein Station and will
shortly head back to the junction at Camberwell working the weekend shuttle service. Woodrow Stevenson
Below: On the Hurstbridge line, an X’trapolis set catches the afternoon winter sun as it crosses the Darebin Creek Viaduct, with the 15:57 Up
service from Greensborough, on Thursday 24 June. Martin Bennet

AUGUST 2021 37
 The line towards Ringwood (26km) continues from Camberwell as Clifton Hill Group
three tracks to Box Hill, then is duplicated through to Ringwood. Box Hill This Group has survived a chequered history of openings, closures,
station has four platforms and is constructed beneath a shopping centre, and and re-openings. Clifton Hill is the junction between the Hurstbridge
even includes a “platform 1”, although trains have never used this platform and the Mernda lines, and trains originally arrived from the north end
since construction around 1980. Trains may terminate here, as well as at having travelled via North Melbourne and Royal Park before reversing
Blackburn (using the centre of the three platforms provided). Ringwood also direction to head toward Eltham; the direct route from Jolimont opened
has three platforms as well as a fair sized stabling yard, located in the area in conjunction with the electrification project in 1910, after which
beyond the station between the diverging Lilydale and Belgrave lines. the Royal Park route (known as the Inner Circle) became redundant
The Belgrave line runs up and down several hills on its way across the and closed in stages by 1980. Trains may terminate and even stable at
foothills of the Dandenong Ranges. A small workshop and stabling yard Victoria Park. Trains may also terminate at Clifton Hill.
are located at Bayswater, and the line is duplicated to Ferntree Gully. Turning right at Clifton Hill, we travel to Hurstbridge (38km). This
The railway continues to Upper Ferntree Gully, where another stabling line opened as a single line, and was then duplicated in fits and starts
yard has obliterated all traces of the once busy goods sidings and of the over the next 120 years, the most recent section being through the
old narrow gauge area, after which the line climbs at 1:30 to Upwey, Heidelberg Tunnel, opened in 2018. The line remains as single line
then through to Belgrave (42km), where three trains can stable at the beyond Greensborough, although further duplications are underway
platforms or the siding, while passengers can change for a ride on Puffing between Greensborough and Montmorency, and also between
Billy. Crossing loops at Upper Ferntree Gully and Upwey, and the use of Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen. Stabling yards are provided at
the two platforms at Belgrave, allow a reasonable service, as frequently Macleod, Eltham and Hurstbridge; trains may terminate at any of these
as every 10 minutes during the peak hours. Trains running to/from the locations, as well as at Heidelberg and Greensborough. The section
Bayswater yard usually run as empty car movements to/from Ringwood. beyond Rosanna passes through nicely treed areas, including some
The Lilydale line has less severe grades, but is equally scenic. The floodplains and remnant vegetation, with wildlife including kangaroos
line is duplicated to Mooroolbark, then single line to Lilydale (39km). often sighted, and is popular with crews as a break from the usual
Trains can stable at Lilydale in a reasonable sized yard. The grand timber intense metropolitan areas.
station building is soon to become redundant in conjunction with a The Mernda line also has been variously opened and closed over
level crossing removal project at the Maroondah Highway, although the the years. The line originally ran to Whittlesea, the section back to Lalor
station building itself may be retained due to its historic significance. closing in 1959. The short section to Epping re-opened by 1964, and over
Trains may terminate at Mooroolbark, usually only a few during the peak the past 10 years has been duplicated from Keon Park, and extended
periods, minimising congestion on the single line to Lilydale, otherwise initially to South Morang, and then later to Mernda (33km). A major
most trains continue through to Lilydale. yard and workshop is located at Epping, and another stabling yard at
The last freight services on the Burnley Group ceased in 1991 with Mernda. This track includes a series of particularly sharp curves between
the end of the fertiliser trains to Coldstream (a few kilometres beyond Rushall and Merri, reflecting the original alignment via Royal Park, these
Lilydale); B75 hauled the last four empty wagons back, ending freight curves being the sharpest on a Victorian main line. Trains may currently
traffic on this once busy corridor. terminate at Reservoir, Epping, South Morang and Mernda.

Just before dawn on Wednesday 30 June, the 06:27 Up service from Eltham departs the well-lit platform at Clifton Hill, on the Mernda and
Hurstbridge lines. X’Trapolis set 964M is incorrectly displaying white marker lights, as it brings up the rear of the train. Martin Bennet

38 RAILWAY DIGEST
 At Victoria Park Station on the Mernda Line on Monday morning 7
December 2020, although the signal on the Up track is indicating
that that the X’Trapolis set, with 85M leading, can proceed toward
Flinders Street, it will actually run wrong road briefly as it heads for
the stabling road. With no empty roads in the Epping Sidings, this set
will be stabled here until its return to service for the afternoon peak.
Meanwhile, a Down Mernda service is arriving with 136M in the lead.
Steve Munro

Trains usually operate directly into Flinders Street, then via the City
Circle Viaduct track to Southern Cross, then through the Clifton Hill/
City Circle Underground Loop to Jolimont. A connection exists from
Parliament station back to Flinders Street, referred to as the City Circle;
this has seen little use over the last 25 years.

ROLLING STOCK
Most services are provided by three main train types, plus the High
Capacity Metro Train currently being commissioned into service (as
seven-carriage trains); all other trains are in operated in 3-car sets,
mostly with two sets coupled to form 6-car sets.
3-car sets are mostly confined to the Camberwell – Alamein, and the
Newport – Williamstown shuttles.

Comeng Trains
Introduced in 1982, these were the first suburban trains that featured
air-conditioning. The trains were built at the then Comeng plant in
Dandenong (which became part of the Bombardier business, and more
recently has been taken over by Alstom). Their bodies are nice and
spacious and still give passengers a comfortable ride, however their
electrical and mechanical components were not the latest technology,
even back in 1982. 190 sets of 3-carriages were built.
From introduction, failures plagued the fleet, many probably due to the
components becoming overworked, struggling to do all that was required.

On 17 January, HCMT train set 4 carried out Type Approval testing on the Mernda line, testing the behavior of couplers and other components on
the tightest curve in the system, between Merri and Rushall. Set 4 is seen crossing Merri Creek on a test run, which proved successful. Bruce Payne

AUGUST 2021 39
The traction equipment was mostly from GEC, although one 3-car set indicators situated above the former guards’ window, while the former
used AEG equipment; despite its good performance further orders for M>train sets have a large headboard located above both windscreens.
this equipment did not follow. Later trains incorporated disc brakes and These are the only suburban trains with the capability to operate
different motor alternators, while the last four 3-car sets used chopper on all suburban tracks, although their appearances on the Burnley and
traction equipment, however most passengers would be unaware of Clifton Hill groups are rare these days.
these changes. In more recent times some work has gone into enhancing their
During the early horrors of the privatisation era, the network was reliability. Some of the works have been quite simple, such as modifying
divided into separate “companies”; as part of this process the Comeng air-conditioning ducting to create better air flow and cooling, thus
trains were shared between the two different operators, who then reducing the load on both the air conditioning units as well as the motor
proceeded to upgrade the trains in two different ways. When the alternator. Most of the one-off trains (especially the Chopper and AEG
network was re-combined, it was found that the two sets were now sets) have now been withdrawn, and the introduction of newer trains
incompatible, forcing an expensive program to alter the electrical lately has allowed some of the older sets to be withdrawn. It seems likely
components to allow them to operate together unrestricted. that the remainder will disappear in coming years, although patronage
Former Connex trains can be identified by the small destination growth may delay that.

Above: Former Connex Comeng

set 527M races north from
Broadmeadows with a service to
Craigieburn, on Saturday 8 May.
Peter Reading
Right: A Siemens set, bound for
Flinders Street, makes a stop at
Southern Cross on Wednesday 25
November 2020. Stephen Miller

40 RAILWAY DIGEST
Siemens practically monopolise services on those Groups. Additional testing and
Built in Austria, these trains were supplied to the order of M>train, and infrastructure alterations were required to enable them to operate on
were introduced from 2003. 36 trains of 6-carriages were supplied, with the remainder of the Network, however this work has progressed slowly.
all trains arranged into 3-car permanently-coupled sets. Trains usually These units may now be found on the Newport/Williamstown/Werribee
operate as double consists (6-car sets), although some 3-car running and the Frankston lines.
can be found on the Newport – Williamstown shuttles. The trains Though these trains are rather “minimalist”, they perform very reliably
provide an outstanding ride, feeling pretty much the same at 15km/h in service.
or 115 km/h. The trains were known for braking issues during adverse A new batch of X’trapolis trains have been approved, designated as
rail conditions, with a large portion of the fleet being withdrawn around “X’trapolis 2.0”. The 25 trains in this batch (150 carriages) are intended
15 years back pending investigations; subsequent works including to be used on the Craigieburn, Upfield and Frankston lines, and are
installation of sanding gear seems to have overcome these issues. The expected to enter service from 2024. These trains are intended to
demise of M>train saw Connex eventually take control of the network, allow retirement of older Comeng trains, which by then will be over
and further orders of these trains have not eventuated. 40 years old. The design is an advance on the original X’trapolis trains
The trains were confined to the former M>train network, and (designated as X’trapolis 100), and apparently shares similarities with
this has not fundamentally changed since the two Networks were Perth’s under-construction “C” series suburban trains. The X’trapolis
re-amalgamated, apart from empty car transfers between Melbourne series has proven to be quite a successful design of train for Alstom to
and Epping for workshops or related attention. With further trains of build. Trains in the X’trapolis series are in use in Chile, France, Portugal,
this type unlikely to be ordered, we presume that there will not be any Germany, Denmark, South Africa and Spain.
extension of their operations.
High Capacity Metro Train (HCMT)
X’Trapolis These trains have been manufactured in China by CRRC Chanchung with
Built initially in France and fitted out in Australia, these trains were the finishing works at Newport Workshops overseen by Downer Rail prior
choice Connex made for its new trains. The initial order of 29 trains of to transfer (loco hauled) to the new facility at Pakenham East for final
six carriages (each comprised of two 3-car sets) performed very reliably, commissioning. 65 train sets of seven carriages are under construction, and
although their ride quality is inferior to other train types (Comeng, provision has been made to extend these trains into 10-carriage sets, the
Siemens). A further eight orders have been delivered, with the fleet now longest configuration used in Melbourne. To date, three trains have entered
comprising a total of 212 units of 3-carriages. The latter orders were limited service, with the Project delivery apparently delayed by various
partly constructed in France, Poland and Italy, with a significant amount factors (pick your preferred rumour). One notable variation compared to
of work occurring at Alstom’s site at Ballarat North (the old Victorian other train designs is that these sets are effectively permanently coupled as
Railways workshops). The first trains commenced service in 2002, and 7 car sets, with only the outer two carriages incorporating drivers cabs.
subsequent batches have been delivered between 2009 and 2020. These new trains are intended to operate at closer headways using
The original design was based on operating on the Burnley and limited self-driving features in certain areas, and as such the increased
Clifton Hill Groups (the original Connex network), and these trains now frequency is an important element of increasing network capacity.

HCMT set 11 runs along the ‘Skyrail’ section approaching Murrumbeena station on the Pakenham/Cranbourne line, while doing MTM driver
training on Saturday 10 October 2020. James Chuang

AUGUST 2021 41
These trains will in most areas have to share tracks with other trains not METRO TUNNEL
so equipped, including other suburban trains as well as V/line passenger The Metro Tunnel Project aims to create a new connection between the
trains and freight services operated by private companies, hence the Sunbury line and the Dandenong line (and beyond to Cranbourne and
limited use of the self-driving feature. Pakenham). The project is constructing a pair of tunnels, commencing just
These trains are expected to be used primarily on the Dandenong on the Down side of South Yarra, and concluding near South Kensington.
– Sunbury corridor, including the under-construction Metro Tunnel The tunnel takes a new route, by-passing the existing rail corridors, and
(see right), where their high passenger carrying capacity is anticipated will effectively cut across the City Underground Loop at a lower level.
to enable the network to carry the massively increasing passenger The corridor will serve areas not currently served by trains, and will include
numbers along these corridors, hence easing the over-crowding. At this five new stations.
stage they are used only on the Dandenong/Cranbourne/Pakenham The first station heading north-west from Caulfield to Footscray
to Melbourne lines, with operation to Sunbury anticipated after the (named Anzac, appropriately given it is near the Shrine of Remembrance),
completion of the Metro Tunnel (see below). is located beneath the Domain Interchange on St Kilda Road, and will
allow connections with much of the busy Swanston Street tramway
INFRASTRUCTURE corridor. This station will also serve various office, accommodation and
All trains run on 1500v DC power, supplied from overhead wiring. Most entertainment precincts, in a busy area not previously served by heavy rail.
tracks are now laid with concrete sleepers, although some sections of The next station is named Town Hall, and is located beneath the
timber remain. Track gauge is 1600mm. “Skyrail” sections of viaduct southern end of Swanston Street. This station is close to the well-known
track (typically used to replace former level crossings) see the rails directly Flinders Street station, allowing for interchange between trains.
fastened onto concrete bearers. Heading north roughly beneath Swanston Street still, the next station
Signal safety protection is provided by train stop equipment, is State Library. This will serve a similar area to Melbourne Central
designed to activate against a trip valve on the lead vehicle should a underground station, and passengers can interchange between trains
train over-run a signal or exceed certain speeds. TPWS equipment is there. It is expected that passengers from most parts of Melbourne can
being progressively installed on corridors shared with V/Line trains, change at either Town Hall or State Library stations for services to places
which are not equipped with trips. Virtually all signals are 3-position not currently served by rail.
type, based around the Pennsylvania Rail Road of the USA, termed Parkville station is located beneath Grattan Street, and serves major
“speed signalling”, in that with the use of two lights a signal shows the hospitals and universities. Rail passengers travelling into this busy precinct
status of the track ahead, indicates the aspect of the next signal, and until now have had to change from trains to trams to reach this area.
stipulates a maximum speed for that section. Arden is located near the North Melbourne Football Club grounds,
All stations apart from Heyington are fully DDA compliant, allowing at the corner of Arden Street and Laurens Street. This area is well away
ready access for wheelchairs, etc. Wheelchairs are usually carried behind the from heavy (or even light) rail, and is currently experiencing significant
driver inside the leading pair of carriage doors, and drivers where necessary growth in accommodation.
use portable ramps to assist special needs passengers. Several locations Works associated with this Project include upgrades of the Sunbury
have small raised areas and bridging “fingers” towards the departure end of line, extending stabling sidings at Sydenham, Calder Park and Sunbury,
the platform to allow special needs customers to board or alight unaided. station access improvements, extension of platforms, and enhancing
All trains run as driver-only, with guards having been removed from traction power supplies. The outcome expected is an increase in track
1994. CCTV cameras and large mirrors are provided at curved platforms capacity to support an additional 113,000 passengers weekly. Signalling
and some other places to enable drivers to positively view passengers systems require substantial alterations above ground to enable trains to
boarding and ensure their safety prior to closing doors and departing blend with the new arrangements.
the train. Traction interlocks prevent accidental departure of trains with
saloon doors opened. OTHER PROJECTS
Another other major project that will change rail travel use in coming
TRAIN FREQUENCIES years is a new connection to Melbourne Airport. Trains will run from
Train frequencies typically vary according to time of day and weekends. the airport to parallel with the existing freight lines (Albion – Jacana),
Trains effectively operate overnight on Friday and Saturday nights, then run west of these tracks toward Albion, from where elevated
otherwise usually the last train leaves Melbourne around mid-night, connections will bring trains across Ballarat Road and the existing
while the first trains arrive into Flinders Street around 5:30am. suburban lines to Sunshine. Trains will then run into the Metro Tunnel.
Most lines have numerous additional trains during the morning and This Project is expected to begin construction works next year, with
afternoon peaks; the morning peak usually runs from around 6:00am further details to be reported as this Project progresses.
until after 9:30, while the PM peak usually seems to start around Level crossing removals are continuing apace, with 46 removed since
3:00pm (catering to school traffic) until after 7:00pm. Changing work 2014, and another 30 locations well underway. A Level Crossing Removal
patterns seem to slowly be extending these hours, particularly during Authority was formed to manage these Projects, which have usually delivered
the evening, while it seems that many commuters are taking advantage new stations for the passengers, typically with better car parking and
of Melbourne’s famous cafés and arriving into Melbourne early to start amenities, while massively reducing road congestion in the suburbs affected.
their working day well. Whether improvements for “railways” have been achieved are debated; some
Outside the peaks, trains operate roughly every 20 minutes to Upfield, reduction in track flexibility such as turnbacks and sidings have occurred
Craigieburn, Sydenham, Werribee, Laverton locals, Williamstown, Eltham (notably at Oakleigh and St Albans), track speeds have sometimes been
and Mernda. Alternate trains extend to Sunbury from Sydenham, and lowered, while the works have rarely amplified track capacity. In some cases
from Eltham to Hurstbridge. the works will make future track enhancements more difficult.
The Sandringham, Glen Waverley, Alamein and Ringwood lines Longer term, planning and investigative geotechnical drillings are
see trains every 15 minutes, with alternate trains beyond Ringwood advancing on the “Suburban Rail Loop”. Stage 1 will link Cheltenham
continuing to either Lilydale or Belgrave. (Frankston line) with Box Hill (Ringwood line), via Clayton (Dandenong
Frankston and Dandenong trains operate every 10 minutes, with line, and finally serving Monash University), Glen Waverley and East
alternate Dandenong line trains extending to either Cranbourne or Burwood. Later stages will link Box Hill to the Airport via Doncaster and
Pakenham, giving each destination a service every 20 minutes. Bundoora (both areas not served by rail). Services will ultimately reach
Evening and weekend trains usually operate every 20 – 30 minutes, Werribee, forming a 90km long link between various suburbs while
apart from Hurstbridge line (hourly beyond Eltham). avoiding the central Melbourne area.
Stony Point trains run about every two hours, with eight services The current project activity in the Melbourne suburban railway system
Monday – Thursday, 10 on Fridays, eight on Saturdays and seven on is unprecedented, with its significance probably proportionately exceeding
Sundays. even the massive projects in the years 1910–1919 leading up to electrification.

42 RAILWAY DIGEST
A night scene looking over North Melbourne station as rail activity gradually quietens down on Monday evening 10 May. Peter Reading

PATRONAGE AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE forced passenger numbers down massively, to the point that peak-hour
Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, patronage of Melbourne’s rail system had trains were almost empty. Where once people lived in suburbs and
doubled since 2000. Regional cities within a two hour travel time of travelled to the city centre for work, now many people can work from
Melbourne have shown strong growth, with population in this area also home, and in some cases both the employer and the worker benefit
expected to double within 20 years. Current daily patronage is in the from this arrangement.
vicinity of 450,000. Just prior to Victoria’s COVID shut-down in late May 2021, passenger
Ticketing is based on the use of “MYKI” cards. Passengers purchase loading had returned to around 80% of pre-COVID levels, particularly
a card from various outlets (including many stations), add a value to the in off-peak times and weekends. Just whether, and to what extent
card, then “touch on” when boarding and “touch off” when leaving, patronage will return to the growth levels of recent years cannot be
the system then calculating the lowest applicable price fare. predicted.
Bicycles are carried without charge, with cyclists particularly asked not That said, the major projects seem likely to continue for some time
to use the leading doors of a train, as these are made available for special yet. The level crossing removals have been popular in local communities,
needs customers. Many stations have facilities to lock bicycles safely away. and have seen a big reduction in congestion of those roads and
Most stations have at least some car parking available, although in their surrounding areas. The Melbourne Metro Tunnel is well under
many cases the parking is fully utilised by 7:00am on weekdays, so arrive construction, being really too late now to stop, while the Airport Rail
early! Additional car parking is being constructed, yet seems to be filled Link (some would remark being already 40 years late) looks likely to
as quickly as it is completed. proceed. The Suburban Rail Link project is in early stages of planning
Bus and tram services connect with trains at many stations. Given the and design; whether this proceeds is unclear at this time.
frequency of services, one service will not usually wait for a late-running The future of Metro Trains Melbourne itself appears to rest with
connecting service provided by a different mode. the current franchise until 2024, with a likely extension until 2027.
Punctuality is regularly monitored and Metro can be fined for late Whether the privatisation/franchising model provides value for money
running or excessive cancelled services. The targets are set by the State, is debateable. Privatisation originally occurred for what could be fairly
and currently require 98% reliability (in effect, only 2% of trains may be called political reasons, yet both major political parties have maintained
cancelled), and 90% punctuality (deemed as being on time to within this form of privatisation when opportunities arose to bring the network
4 minutes and 59 seconds). Metro Trains Melbourne usually seems to back into Government control.
meet or exceed these expectations. Unfortunately there seems to be no way to directly compare costs/
The Network includes 222 stations, and it is possible to travel on all benefits between Government and private control, so consequently it is
lines on one day, apart perhaps from the Stony Point. I will be interested impossible to independently determine which model gives the greater
whether it is possible to cover all lines including Stony Point, although value to the ultimate customer, the tax-payer. A little like comparing
am unlikely to personally take up the challenge. apples and oranges, with the massive patronage increases seen since
privatisation making comparisons impossible. While it could be argued
LOOKING AHEAD that privatisation drove the patronage increases, it seems that external
Had this article been written 18 months ago, the future would have pressures such as higher petrol costs and population growth played their
been easy to predict. Patronage was steadily and rapidly increasing, role. As such, I leave it to others to make their own judgements.
and there seemed no way that this would end. The arrival of COVID has
changed the reliability of this prediction, with the need for travel having The author extends sincere thanks to Ken Date and John Hoyle for
been challenged by the new circumstances. COVID lockdowns have their suggestions and input to this article.

AUGUST 2021 43
Geraldton area grain trains
Text and images by Phil Melling
Around the Geraldton area Aurizon has continued to run grain trains
and, for example, on Wednesday 30 June it ran three: Tallering Peak
To Wiluna
• One with two P’s and 42 wagons
• One with one P and 15 wagons
• One with one P and 13 wagons l Pindar
Ruvidini
In addition several P class locomotives (stored since the ceasing of Northern Gully l Mullewa
l l
Mount Gibson iron ore trains) have been reactivated. Bringo l l Eradu Tenindewa
The grain trains initially had a pool of three P class locos, two painted Geraldton l l Narngulu
l Canna
in the latest Aurizon yellow (P2503 and P2515) and one in ARG yellow l Bootenal
(P2514).
More recently, several reactivated P class locos – one in ARG orange Tilley Junction l l Karara
(P2516), two in original Aurizon (P2504 and P2505) and a further P in Dongara Morawa l
l l Mingenew
ARG yellow (P2508) – have appeared.
Aurizon utilises the previously stored XT grain wagons that it has ▲ l Perenjori
Three Springs l
reactivated. There was originally 76 XT wagons built and 71 are available Extension
Hill
l Carnamah l Latham
❂

for use, this means the third set can vary in length up to a maximum of N
14 wagons. l Eneabba
Coorow l
Grain trains run from Geraldton Port to many of the CBH grain l Iluka South l Maya
bins in the Geraldton Zone, as far as Perenjori and Marchagee (the Marchagee l
southern limit of the Geraldton Zone). CBH Watco also run a single
McLevie l
double-headed grain set in the Zone. Kalannie
l
Miling
l l Burakin
©2021 BB/RailwayDigest To Perth

l
44 RAILWAY DIGEST
l
 OP E R ATIO N S
Left (page 44): Aurizon Goninan/GE units P2516 and P2515 on 3751 loaded grain train from Carnamah CBH arrive at Geraldton Port
on Wednesday 30 June.
Above: P2504 is on 7733 loaded Mullewa grain just west of Bringo on Saturday 26 June. This was P2504’s first day of operation since
reactivation, having worked the empty train out early in the morning to Mullewa.
Below: P2516 and P2515 are on 5751 loaded Aurizon grain train from Coorow CBH heading to Geraldton Port via Narngulu, seen at
Bootenal just south of Narngulu on Tursday 8 July.

l
AUGUST 2021 45
O PE R ATIO N S

Above: P2508 and P2514 on 3751 loaded grain train from Carnamah CBH are seen just south of Narngulu, neraing their destination of
Geraldton Port on Wednesday 30 June.
Below: On Tuesday 13 July, P2505 hauled 3735 loaded grain train, consisting of eight XT grain wagons, from Mullewa CBH to Geraldton
Port and is seen passing through Grants crossing loop.

46 RAILWAY DIGEST
 PRESERV ATIO N & T OU RI ST
Above: On Saturday 10 July, Steamrail’s A2 986 steams through the existing Mooroolbark station on the second steam shuttle of the day
in the final week before the original station building is to be lifted, historically refurbished by students at Box Hill Institute, teaching them
important technical skills, before it becomes the new Tarrawarra Station on the Yarra Valley Railway. Mooroolbark is halfway through
its new station rebuild as part of the removal of Manchester Road level crossing. The new station will feature elevated platforms above
the modern waiting and service area, a clock tower, and a new multi-deck car park with 900 car spaces. The steam trips, using E type
carriages, were being run as part of Steamrail’s ‘Lilydale Steam Shuttles’ before Lilydale station is closed and replaced with a new elevated
station as a result of level crossing removal. Stephen McLachlan
Below: Steamrail’s K153 (assisted by A2 986) leads the second of the Lilydale Steam Shuttles through the distinctive bucolic surroundings
of Cave Hill and the David Mitchell Quarry site. Sadly the paddocks and quarry that surrounds Lilydale to the south are giving way to
further residential development at Cave Hill, with a new station proposed to be built to service the new suburb. Stephen McLachlan

AUGUST 2021 47
Rail Motors, Rhinos and Relics
The ARHS June Long Weekend Tour 11-15 June 2021
Text and images by Neville Pollard

A
n air of excitement was evident when 48 passengers boarded another great source of knowledge. In the evenings, back at the motel,
rail motors CPH 1, 3 and 7 at Broadmeadow for a rail cruise Andre Phillips entertained with overviews of the night sky. Uncooperative
to Binnaway and Dubbo, returning through Orange and clouds prevented observations initially but on the second evening clouds
Lithgow with liberal portions of coach travel along the way. cleared to unveil the universe in all its glory. The Milky Way and the
Would there be snow on the Warrumbungles? What is the present constellations Centaurus Crux (Southern Cross) and Scorpio were especially
state of the long-closed line from Binnaway to Gwabegar? What does prominent and admired by all.
the Diprotodon creature look like? What will we see at Siding Spring The Warrumbungle mountains scenery was unfortunately shrouded
observatory? These were some questions travellers wanted answered. in thick fog preventing any view of the surrounding grandeur
It seemed as though ARTC traffic controllers were from either Siding Spring Trig (where pockets of
anxious to help solve these inquiries; the trip to Binnaway, snow remained) or Whitegum Lookout where the
for a tour train, was nothing short of spectacular; Given that there were Breadknife can usually be observed. Picnic lunch was
the big fellas (90 wagon coal trains) gave way to our about 20 coal, grain enjoyed at Canyon Picnic Area where the Apostle
diminutive train on more than one occasion. Given and general freight birds entertained with their noisy antics arguing
that there were about 20 coal, grain and general over food scraps. Despite fog, ravages of the 2013
freight trains between Broadmeadow and Werris Creek,
trains between Broad- bushfires were all too evident with many trees burnt
to not get stopped while another train passed won’t meadow and Werris with no possibility of regrowth. The guide at the
probably be repeated on a tour for a long time. On the Creek, to not get stopped Warrumbungle Visitors Centre commented that koalas
cross-country line between Werris Creek and Binnaway, while another train appeared to have been wiped out throughout the
creeks were flowing strongly, luxuriant growth was National Park as a result.
observed everywhere, sheep and cattle looked in prime
passed won’t probably A reconnaissance of the Binnaway to Gwabegar
condition. The line, however, was subject to speed be repeated on a tour for line, beyond Coonabarabran, took most of Sunday.
restrictions in many locations. a long time. The railway opened to Coonabarabran on 11 June
There were four distinct experiences encountered 1917 with services withdrawn on 15 November 1989.
during the tour; astronomical understandings, exploration Here the passenger platform with nameboard and
of the Warrumbungles and the closed line between Binnaway and Gwabegar ‘out of’ shed is still extant with goods shed, 6500 tonne bulk shed
and meeting nonliving and living animals. and yard crane–silent sentinels guarding a lonely goods yard. The
Siding Spring is the home of the Anglo-Australian telescope, Australia’s bridge over Castlereagh River with its 20-metre steel girder and timber
largest, along with many small observatories owned by other countries approaches remains. Coonabarabran was once quite busy with four
dotted around the summit. Siding Spring is not now as significant as when fuel sidings, freezer and mill sidings, The Sunday market at Bugaldie,
opened because of new telescope technology. Donna, the Astronomer, north Coonabarabran, was just opening and gave opportunity to
Burton was our guide; she was absolutely passionate about the universe; inspect a number of vintage cars and tractors. The timber facing of
skilfully answering any questions put to her. The Exploratory Centre was the goods platform was evident with a bulk shed a few metres north.

48 RAILWAY DIGEST
Left (page 50): On the return
to Sydney on Tuesday 15 June
passengers detrained at Tarana
for a classic country pub lunch at
Tarana Hotel complete with log fire.
Because 3801 was not far behind
the rail motors proceeded to Rydal
to refuge. Here CPHs 1, 3 and 7 are
seen returning to Tarana to pick up
the well victualled passengers.

PRESERV ATIO N & T OU RI ST

Right: 9303, 9314 and 9318 haul
a 9000 tonne coal train through
Murrurundi enroute to Newcastle,
while passengers take refreshments
on the platform admiring freshly
fallen snow on the Liverpool Range.
Following lunch, the rail motors will
proceed to Werris Creek and onto
the branch to Binnaway.

Left: Some of the many small observatories

dotting the landscape at Siding Spring Trig.
Unfortunately thick fog denied any chance of
seeing the surrounding vista at both Siding
Spring and Warrumbungle National Park.

Right: The former ‘out of’ shed is the only building

now remaining on the former Coonabarabran
station platform. Rail services concluded there in
November 1989. The goods shed, bulk grain store
and bridge over Castlereagh River are basically all
that now remain.

Left: A collection of classic motor vehicles became a real

drawcard at the Bugaldie Market, visited on the way out
to Gwabegar.

AUGUST 2021 49
At Baradine the station nameboard was lineside. The railway yard was
bereft of any infrastructure except three bulk storages totalling 42,150
tonnes. Here half a mile of line had been pulled up around the station
precinct. Locals are fighting for a connection with Inland Rail planned
to pass five kilometres north of the town. The original plan was for the
new line to incorporate the old right of way towards Gwabegar but
this has been shelved. Kenebri’s location was marked by a roadside
station sign. The terminus at Gwabegar was opened on 10 September
1923 with the last train on 28 February 1992. Rails remain, including
a triangle at the Sydney end. Interestingly white pines are growing
profusely inside the four foot, more so than in other parts of the yard.
The home signal remains, as does a bulkhead of 26,600 tonnes capacity.
The location of the SM’s residence was marked by a forlorn clothes line.
The town, on the edge of the Pilliga Scrub, is marked by a post office,
school and handful of houses, many in a poor state of upkeep. There
was opportunity to learn more about the Pilliga Scrub at the Baradine
Visitors Centre. Above: The Baradine Hotel was another great opportunity to enjoy a
At Coonabarabran Visitors Centre, the previous evening, the Tambar Sunday roast dinner in an authentic country pub atmosphere. After the
Springs Diprotodon was viewed, one of the finest fossil specimens of the meal there was an opportunity to learn more about the Pillaga Scrub
species found in eastern Australia. Diprotodon was a solidly-built plant at the visitor’s centre across the road.
eater about the size of a rhinoceros having the appearance of a large Below: The Bugaldie General Store is now permanently closed.
wombat. The store would once have been a meeting place for the locals
while purchasing household needs. Now they have to drive to
Coonabarabran, half an hour away, for even the most basic goods.
How country life has changed!

Above: The discovery of a diprotodon optatum, the largest known

marsupial, similar to a giant wombat, was made in 1979 at a
property near Tambar Springs. The fossil bones were inspected at the
Coonabarabran Visitor’s Centre.
Below: The critically endangered black rhinoceros is native to southern
Africa. Most of the time males live solitary lives. Males have an ability
to squirt urine backwards so it is not advisable to stand too close
behind them. This specimen weighs around 1,200kg and lives at
Dubbo zoo.
Right: A quick stop was made at Orange on the return journey. 3801
and its entourage are standing on an adjacent track and will follow
the rail motors to Rydal. Both were at Lithgow at the same time but
this time 3801 was given precedence for the return to Sydney.

50 RAILWAY DIGEST
 l


l


The fourth lstrand of the tour revolved around an afternoon tour


Departure from Dubbo on Tuesday morning was on time
with a rendezvous with 3801 at Orange. After the lunch lstop at

to Dubbo Zoo. This was undertaken on Monday afternoon after
l

our arrival from Binnaway. A highlight of this section was Fletcher’s Tarana time was lost, taking 2½ hours to travel from Lithgow to
massive grain storage and abattoirs just east of Dubbo. The siding Penrith. Despite this, the rail motors were able to leave Central two
there is about two kilometres long and three long trains depart from minutes early for their home base at Paterson, arriving back half
there for Port Botany each week. an hour ahead of schedule. Thanks especially to Spencer Ross for
It was not possiblelto view all zoo animals in one afternoon. Travelling his usual excellent itinerary and organisation and to The Rail Motor
around by coach, stops were made at the Black Rhino, meerkats, Society crew for safety, smooth running and excellent hospitality.
elephants (that had gone to bed), hippo, l

deer and the Galapagos Noticeable was the pleasing number of women who booked on the
tortoise enclosures. One of the tortoises was over 100  years old.
 l
tour. Some tour patrons joined ARHS as a result of the experience.
l

PRESERV ATIO N & T OU RI ST

l
 Barraba

Pilliga State Armidale 

l
Conservation
Area
Pilliga West
l

Gwabegar

Pilliga East
Boggabri l


Kenebri l
Route of future
Inland Rail
l Baradine
l
Gunnedah l


Westdale ll

l Bugaldie Tamworth
Coonabarabran
l
l


Siding Spring
Observatory l
 Werris Creek

 Quirindi
l
Binnaway l


l Willow Tree
l Gilgandra Ardglen l
l
Murrurundi
 Merrygoen
l l
 Coolah

l


Dunedoo l Craboon Junction



l Ballimore l
Merriwa
l
Ulan Muswellbrook
Dubbo l
 l


Gulgong l
 l
l

Denman
l Geurie Sandy l

Bylong l

Yarrawa Dungog l
Hollow
l Maryvale

l Wellington Singleton l
Mudgeel


▲ Paterson l

l
Maitland
❂

l Stuart Town l Rylstone

N
l Kandos Newcastle
Broadmeadow l l
Fassifern
l
Kerrs Creek l
l Toronto
l Molong Morisset l

l 0 25 50
Manildra
l Orange Wyong l

Kilometres

wra Bathurst l 
Wallerawang Gosford l
l
l Millthorpe l Rydal
Blayney Tarana l l
l
 l Lithgow
Richmond
l Canowindra l
Newbridge l Mount Victoria l PACIFIC
Hornsby
l OCEAN
l Penrith
l Katoomba l
Oberon
l
 Parramatta l
Cowra
l SYDNEY
Liverpool l
l Port Botany
l


l
 Koorawatha

Campbelltown l ©2021 BB/Railway Digest

l l l
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AUGUST 2021 l 51
l

C Set Last Word Although Transport Heritage assessed the C Set fleet (without
sector consultation) and did not consider them as being of sufficient
significance, the previously reported lobbying by the Sydney Electric
Chris Walters Train Society (SETS), following its Expression of Interest submission
Further to the last report in (see Curtains on Sydney Trains’ C Sets, page to see a set retained, has proven successful. A four-car set consisting
50, April 2021 issue) and after a couple of ‘life extensions’, the last of C3584, T4266, T4274 and C3608 is now part of the SETS fleet.
of Sydney Trains’ C Set fleet has been formally decommissioned. As It is this four-car set that will operate the group’s Great Northern
reported previously, two four-car sets were retained by Sydney Trains as Chopper Tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of SETS. The tour is
stand-by assets following their withdrawal from regular service in late scheduled to operate from Olympic Park to Newcastle Interchange
February. Also as reported previously, a handful of operations called for via Bankstown and Gordon on Saturday 28 August (COVID-19
one or both of these sets to be returned to service, primarily to cover restrictions permitting), with this run set to be the first operation of
a shortage of available M Sets and pending the delivery of the final a C Set in preservation (see https://www.sets.org.au/tours/ for more
sets in the second series B Set order. The last reported use of these was information).
the operation of set C1 on Lidcombe-Olympic Park shuttles during With the commissioning of the final Waratah second series train,
the last week of April, with the final day of operations being Friday 30 set B41, during early-July, any need for the remaining C Sets ended.
April. Over ensuing months, a number of positioning runs between On Monday 12 July, the final batch of 12 disposed cars were towed
Flemington Maintenance Centre and Maintain Auburn have operated by a pair of Pacific National 81 Class locomotives from Flemington to
to enable parts salvage and the consolidation of four cars to be retained Chullora for scrapping. Their destruction will leave the SETS four-car
for preservation. During this time, motor car C3581 and trailer T4272 set and the pair of carriages with Fire & Rescue as the only remnants of
were acquired by the Fire & Rescue NSW Emergency Services Academy, this once 56-car fleet.
and transferred to their Orchard Hills facility during early May. There, With sincere thanks to Mick McGinty for assistance in preparing this
the pair will be used for staff training and emergency drills. update.

Above: Seen from the Telarah Street bridge in Telarah on Friday

morning 25 June, Baldwin 2-8-2 5917, and Goodwin/Alco units 4836
and 852 have arrived with the Cruise Express ‘Great Northwestern Loop’
steam tour, which began in Sydney that morning and would be visiting
Werris Creek, Tamworth, Premer, Binnaway, Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst
and back to Sydney. The 1.2km detour to Telarah was for locomotive
servicing. Robert Rouse
Left: Having detached from the train and run forward into No.2 Stock
Siding, near the access gate from John Street, 5917 has its tender topped
up with a load of good northern coal. Robert Rouse

52 RAILWAY DIGEST
 PRESERV ATIO N & T OU RI ST
Above: 3801 is running full steam ahead through Locksley bound for Blayney on Friday 4 June on its 10 day, 2250km NSW Central West
Tour. James Gregory
Below: At Victoria’s Alexandra Timber Tramway and Museum, early on Sunday 11 July, 1909-vintage John Fowler 0-6-0T number 5
(ex- Doolbi, Isis Central and Gin Gin sugar mills, Qld) is slowly raising steam while taking water from a garden hose. Ewan McLean

AUGUST 2021 53
Above: On Wednesday 23 June, 4702 and 4204 slowly lead the Vintage Rail Southern Aurora train into the Rail Motor Society depot past CPH1,
721 and CPH19. The train would stable overnight before leaving for Kempsey the next morning. After alighting from the train, passengers were
taken by bus for tours of either Maitland or Morpeth. Bruce Gehrig
Below: At the Australian Sugar Cane Railway, Bundaberg Qld, on Wednesday 30 June, 1914-vintage Orenstein and Koppel 0-4-0T Germany
(ex- Millaquin and Qunaba sugar mills) recently returned to service following a lengthy overhaul, was in action. Darren Tulk

54 RAILWAY DIGEST
 PRESERV ATIO N & T OU RI ST
Above: The southbound Ghan service that departed Darwin on Wednesday 26 May, behind Ghan-liveried Goninan/GE units NR74 and
NR75, has arrived at Manguri Siding in northern South Australia on Friday morning 28 May, and will soon transfer its load of tourists to
the waiting road coaches for a tour of Coober Pedy, 42km distant. Jeffrey Cantamessa.
Below: On Sunday 13 June, the Archer Park Rail Museum’s restored Purrey steam tram, built in Bordeaux, France, in 1909, was in
operation giving rides along Denison Street, Rockhampton, adjacent to the QR north coast line. Anthony Evans

AUGUST 2021 55
Above: At the Victorian Goldfields Railway’s Maldon loco depot on Thursday 17 June, ex-Victorian Railways oil-burning J class 2-8-0 J549, built
by Vulcan Foundry in 1954, has diesel locomotives Y133 and F212 for company as it rests between assignments. Ewan McLean
Below: The Seymour Rail Heritage Centre’s standard gauge fleet, consisting of Clyde/EMD units S303, C501, T357 and P22, are seen parked
together in the standard gauge sidings at the depot on Wednesday 30 June. S303 and C501 were being prepared for level crossing testing
between Seymour and Longwood on 3-4 July. Grahame Ferguson

56 RAILWAY DIGEST
 Victorian Government support for heritage rail operators
The Victorian Government is supporting tourist and heritage rail The allocation of the funding follows the release earlier in the
operators recover from the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic year of Preserving our rail history – a blueprint for the future, which
with $1 million in funding. The support is to help the operators provides a strategy to help ensure that Victoria’s tourist and
re-establish their operations and cover costs after they were heritage tram and railway sector has a sustainable future and can
unable to run their services for periods in 2020 and 2021. continue its important work.
Following an assessment process by VicTrack and the Victorian The blueprint includes actions the government will take over
Department of Transport, the funding has been allocated to 15 the coming years to support organisations with expanding their
groups that applied for financial support based on an assessment volunteer bases, increasing visitors, improving coordination between

PRESERV ATIO N & T OU RI ST

of what they needed to help them restart their operations. The groups, and gaining access to equipment, resources and rollingstock.
funding should help the groups recover, so they can focus on A new voice for the sector, the Sector Coordinating Board, is
expanding their operations and attracting visitors on to the many already helping organisations share information and support each
heritage train and tram services throughout Victoria. other through the changes occurring in the system.
On Saturday 19 June Victorian Minister for Public Transport Ben On top of the $1 million being allocated to the rail operators,
Caroll said that Victoria has the largest tourist and heritage tram a further $1.2 million of funding and grants is being provided to
and railway sector in the country, making it an important driver for the sector to support the implementation of the blueprint. This is
the state’s tourism economy. in addition to the over $20 million in state government funding
“Operators rely on the revenue they receive from running support made available to the sector over the past five years.
services and unfortunately like many tourism operators their The government is also working with tourist and heritage rail
operations were severely impacted last year. groups whose operations were badly impacted by storms across
“We are now directing much needed funding to the groups, so central Victoria, the Dandenong Ranges and Gippsland in June.
they can pay their immediate costs and ensure their infrastructure For more information, including access to Preserving our rail
is in good shape as their services get back up and running”. history – a blueprint for the future, visit victrack.com.au

Right: Hand firing the 42 square

foot grate of Steamrail Hudson R761
after climbing the 1 in 52 Warrenheip
Bank out of Ballarat, then turning off
the mechanical stoker, on Thursday
evening 20 May. Dave Richards

AUGUST 2021 57
 No Smoking appears that not even the most then other methods must be in the middle of the Nullabor
I would like to take this time to efficient four-stroke engines will sought to provide the necessary Plain defies description. It would
thank Colin Butcher and Kerry give adequate fuel economy to clearances, even shifting the line make a wonderful Noel Coward
Hortop for their respective survive in the future. or roads at these locations. The comedy. My heart goes out
letters, which appeared in RD The most recent revelation necessary clearances exist west to the entire crew (drivers and
June 2021. I must stress that by the State Government is that of Parkes to Perth, and Adelaide cabin crew) should this insanely
I feel rather humbled by their they have proposed to electrify to Darwin. Level Crossings stupid operation eventuate.
corrections to my error about all public transport in NSW should be eliminated as much My solution; three 12-car
camshafts in two-stroke engines. by 2025. How they intend to as possible, with necessary trains a week (Syd-Perth return),
One of my biggest regrets is achieve this proposal is anyone’s protection methods where they employing more staff and
that I never had the opportunity guess. Notwithstanding, judging can’t be avoided. raising revenue. But then, what
to fulfill my childhood desire by discussions at the recent G7 On page four it is mentioned would a demented 77 year-old
to work in the rail industry, Conference regarding the future that ARTC are going to construct know? And don’t get me started
which would have given me a of fossil fuels will undoubtedly a dual standard and narrow on the 6,000 passenger cruise
more nuanced understanding have serious implications for coal gauge line from the NSW border liners; a nightmare at sea, with
of diesel-electric locomotives. trains and dieselisation. This may to Gowrie. This is a backward Disneyland on top… yet another
Incidentally, I have just recently seem incongruous given the step, and more expensive to desk-bound creature’s fantasy
learnt that Fairbanks-Morse scale of the nation’s coal mining construct and maintain. It come true.
opposed piston engines, which sector, yet the decision to phase would be better to convert the
were employed in models such out fossil fuels may not be narrow gauge line to Thallon Noel Robertson
as the C-Liners and Trainmasters determined by an administration to standard gauge. Most of the Nambucca Heads, NSW
in the USA, were also two-stroke in Australia. traffic off this line would go to
R EA DE R S W R IT E

engines. Unfortunately, they There are an increasing the Brisbane Port facilities, which Geraldton and Albany
weren’t nearly as successful number of corporations that the standard gauge line will passenger services
as their EMD counterparts, are withdrawing any form of end at. It is hoped that a long In reference to the report (in
resulting in their withdrawal sponsorship from any project standard gauge tunnel will be Railway Digest June Edition),
from locomotive production. or initiative that supports the constructed under the range at to re-open a rail service to
Conversely, I still maintain fossil fuel industry. Moreover, Toowoomba. Geraldton and Albany has been
that assuming that all things are there are even rumours that ARTC should also rethink suggested many times but has
equal, four-stroke engines are on some countries may even be where they are to put the line in always had a negative response
the whole, more efficient than penalised for failing to eradicate Narromine, Macquarie River, and from the WA government in
two-stroke engines. This is one fossil fuels from their respective Dubbo area with consideration power. One reason is cost,
of the main reasons that they economies. I understand that of suggestions mentioned by as it would be a very costly
are virtually extinct in the road some universities have axed others and myself. project and take many years to
transport sector and contributed their geology departments complete.
to General Electric’s domination from their campuses, because Richard Bowman At some point beyond
of the locomotive market after their don’t wish to be viewed Parap, NT Midland in Perth’s East, the
1980 in models such as the as ‘pro-coal’. It may be difficult rail line is privatised and access
Dash 8s & 9s. This does not to believe, but I think it’s only a A 35-Car Chaos on would have to be gained to use
mean that two-stroke engines matter of decades before diesel Wheels it. The Geraldton Line would
do not possess any virtues. locomotives completely vanish John Beckhaus’ detailed feature have to be upgraded, new
Prior to 1980, General Motors from the rail scene altogether, on a 35-car Indian Pacific required railcars would have to be built,
dominated the rail industry more than one reading by me. stations on the Great Southern
during the early years of Stephen Miller How or why the service was sold Line from Northam would have
dieselisation, because they were Rutherford, NSW to British or Canadian companies to be re-opened or rebuilt,
a robust product that performed to operate the train, instead of though that would bring new
reliably under most conditions. What is the matter with leaving it with AN, is beyond life into country towns along the
However, factors such as the the Directors of ARTC? my comprehension. The idea of line. Rail travel time would be a
fuel shock during the 1970s and In the June 2021 edition of someone seated behind a desk, big issue, the current travel time
improvements in GE models, Railway Digest, near the top of deciding that this highly envied by road coach between Perth
led to their decline during the page 7, it mentions that ARTC and patronised train should be and Albany is around 6-7 hours.
forthcoming decades. will receive Federal Government reduced in size and frequency over The suggestion of re-opening
One of the purposes for my funding to provide container the decades, defies reasoning. a service from Pinjarra to
letter (RD April 2021), was that double stacking clearances in Mr Beckhaus’ explanation Boddinton, Williams and Narrogin
if fuel economy is imperative Victoria as part of the Inland of the monumentally complex would be like building a totally
to surviving in this current Rail Project. On the top of page marshalling requirements to not new rail line. The line from
age, why are there still several 25, it mentions that ARTC are only assemble the train in Sydney’s Pinjarra to Etmilyn, where the line
veteran EMD units in operation rethinking raising the clearances inner western suburbs, then pretty much ends, would have
that could be replaced with at three locations on the North re-assemble, in reverse at Sydney to be upgraded from heavier
EL Class, which are currently East line in Victoria, due to Central, made my head spin. traffic. Pretty well all of the line
in storage? Moreover given local narrow-minded pressure He touched on the complicated from Etmilyn to Narrogin would
that the cost of a brand new thinking. fiasco regarding the train’s linen have to be re-built, with new
UGL Model C44aci would be The ARTC must create but failed to even mention the bridges, new signalling, etc. The
prohibitive for most smaller container double stacking unbelievable logistics required cost would be enormous. Such a
operators, is it be possible to clearances on all major lines for to cater for hundreds of paying budget would have to be sought
retrofit some existing models the future long-term benefit of passengers in god knows how from the current government.
such as the C and G Class with the Nation’s rail system. If they many dining/lounge/café cars.
engines that comply with EPA are not able to create the required The present practice of serving Frank Cherry
regulations? Nonetheless it clearances at these three locations, dinner to hundreds trackside Southlake, WA

58 RAILWAY DIGEST
Gauge follies broad and standard gauge would narrow gauges coming down million by this year. About 13
Donald Horne was being sarcastic be too expensive and in 1865 the centre of Ellen Street. There million trips would be for the
when he called Australia the “lucky they adopted the 3ft 6in gauge. is a picture (probably from the full distance with the Sydney/
country” and the folly of failing Queensland did not become a 1930’s or early 40’s), shown in Canberra contribution not far
to have a single railway gauge is separate colony until 1869 and it many antique shops, of a T Class behind. The biggest number
just one example of this luck. was not until 1871 that they had loco on the narrow gauge tracks of trips would be south of the
About 125 years ago Mark a need to decide the gauge to outside the Port Pirie Town Hall, border with smaller contributions

READ ERS W R ITE

Twain was baffled by the need to adopt. Out of the three potential hauling a load of lead into what from Melbourne/Canberra and
change trains at Albury due to the candidates they chose narrow was then the BHAS smelters. trips within NSW.
difference in track gauge between gauge for much the same Immediately past the Town Hall How much of this travel
the neighbouring colonies. His reasons as WA. and out of picture was Port Pirie would be captured by high-speed
remark “Think of the paralysis It was inevitable that the railway station (now an excellent trains has been the subject of
of intellect that gave that idea separate systems would expand railway museum). Broad gauge several reports including three
birth” is just as valid today. and meet each other creating the passenger trains, often hauled by for the VFT joint venture and
The gauge problem might need to transfer passengers and a 520 or 620 class locomotive, in each of the comprehensive
never have happened if the freight from one train to another. then still used the station. Alas reports funded by the Federal
advice given by the Colonial It took more than 100 years for no more, now leaving alone government. Over 30 years ago
Secretary, Earl Grey, had been Australia’s two largest cities to be Wycheproof and Rockhampton the predicted patronage was
followed. In 1848 he wrote to the connected by rails of the same with their main street railways. sufficient to provide an internal
NSW Governor, Charles Fitzroy, gauge and considerably longer As a reminder of Port Pirie’s rate of return that was well
advising that the Stephenson to complete the same gauge link three gauges, the pathway up to above the so-called hurdle rate.
4ft 8½in gauge should be used to all mainland capitals. the newish library in part of the Steady growth in travel over
throughout Australia. At this time As Wallace Shields points out replacement, now closed, new the past three decades would
NSW covered the whole of the in the June edition of Railway station has tiling depicting the have made the project even
eastern part of the mainland, Digest the piecemeal approach three gauges from the town’s more attractive. Combine that
including what are now the to standardisation continues historic railway past. with historically low interest
States of Queensland and Victoria. to this day. It is little wonder rates, lower train costs and
In 1850 South Australia that road transport of freight Peter Willis productivity improvements in
became the first State to define dominates along some of the Coal Point, NSW the construction industry and it
the gauge for any future railway busiest corridors. seems reasonable to assume that
and followed the advice from The Second Age of Rail a high-speed railway could be
London. The next year the Colin Butcher In his letter about high-speed commercially viable.
southern part of NSW became Razorback, NSW trains, John Bevan uses a simplistic This may appear to be highly
the new colony of Victoria. In analysis to claim that we have optimistic, but this result has
1852 the Irish engineer employed Southern Steam no chance of having high speed been achieved elsewhere as
by the Sydney Railway Company Spectacular trains operating in Australia. documented by Murray Hughes
ignored the original advice and Thanks for the excellent article He overlooks the fact that in his commendable book.
decided to adopt the Irish 5ft by David Campbell on the domestic air travel along the Sadly, our State and Federal
3in gauge. South Australia and Southern Steam Spectacular. We Sydney/Melbourne corridor governments only pay lip
Victoria followed suit and started were privileged to travel on that is one of the busiest in the service to the idea of having
construction. Had these decisions trip and SteamRail, organisers, world. FORBES rated it number high speed trains linking major
stayed in place the whole of the volunteers and crew all helped two, reaching about 10 million cities along the east coast. They
Southeast of Australia would have to make it a memorable journey. passengers per annum prior to have adopted the conventional
had a uniform gauge, but the When we watched the the pandemic. This provides wisdom that it can only be
Irish engineer was sacked and the movement down the centre of an indication of how much delivered out of taxpayer funds
English engineer who replaced the main street of Wycheproof, Australians like to travel. An over far too many years. We
him decided to comply with the it took my thoughts back to analysis based on hard data deserve better!
original recommendation from my first visit to Port Pirie, in predicted the total number of
London. On the far side of the 1964. There, we had not only trips within the corridor by all Colin Butcher
continent WA decided that both one gauge, but both broad and modes would have been 59 Razorback, NSW

Available monthly in Print and Digital

This month includes: from leading newsagents and specialist
bookstores or by subscription at:
48 page special to celebrate arhsnsw.com.au/australian-railway-history
Railways of Western
Australia – 150 years Connect with us:
@AusRailHistory #ausrailhistory
An Express Passenger Train

AUGUST 2021 59
3801 steamed over the Blue Mountains on Thursday 3 June on the way to its 10-day NSW Central West Tour, and is seen here climbing the
grade between Springwood and Faulconbridge on a soft, atmospheric Blue Mountains day. Basil Hancock

Shop online at arhsnsw.com.au/shop

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60 RAILWAY DIGEST
 ARHS
BOOKSHOP
NEWS
Using photographs from the ARHS Railway
Archives, many never published before, this
book celebrates the 38 Class locomotives,
from their wartime introduction through
to 1954.
The 38 Class represented the zenith of the
NSWGR in the steam era. This was a golden
age of rail travel, before the dominance of
the motor car and aeroplane. It was also
the peak of the railways as an industrial
powerhouse with the capacity to design and
build almost anything.
Over 100 colour and black-and-white images.

New stock received just

in time for FATHERS’ DAY!

on Monday 25 January,
trip to Thirroul and return stabled
After a successful light-enginethe following day. The locomotive was It boasted a 42-stall
modern in Australia.
a load trial was undertaken at this stage. The nominal loads hauled
were , and one of the most since January that year,
the southern hemisphere it had been in operation
Depot images by as the largest depot in te 57 class engines. Although in service for just a month at that stage.
Seen
at Enfield Locomotive return to Enfield. These 1947 and was regarded
and 640 tons on the at Junee was opened in arranged to accommoda which had been Motor
350 tons to Thirroul engine in Enfield Marshalling The new locomotive depot of the roundhouse specifically of the opening was locomotive 3817 rail motor off No.6 Griffith
stop there - in fact it
didn’t stop until CC Singleton show the ft. turntable and one-half of the photo shows the
evening ‘Flyer’ did not (then) ARHS President turned on the 90 ft. turntable at Thirroul roundhouse with a 100 29 September. The centrepieceCoat of Arms and flags. Close examination would have been the
engine which brought
dash to Strathfield. The and being Officer, so was held on Monday the NSW due at 11.30 am. 3817 cleaning and
on its eleven-minute Yard prior to departure Works Branch Liaison a special opening ceremony the roundhouse, 3817 is decorated with Express from Albury attention, most importantly
No.31 Newcastle Express ARHS Archives 165158 Singleton was Way and for Locomotive for with No.36 Up Riverina the usual mechanical Minister Maurice
we see 3811 accelerating from Sydney. D Buckle, is intent on Locomotive Depot. that day! Engineer here departing the station at 11.14 am to connect the roundhouse , receive well as Transport
During 1953 at Redfern, minutes after departure The driver, an old hand, to travel with the train as well. This arrived at Junee had time to run into that short journey. As of Junee
two hours and twenty-six on 22 August, 1952. had an official reason in the cab for that trip Train behind the engine. morning. It would have in the engine cab for Horace Chicken Jnr.
reaching Newcastle Station with the Newcastle Express an ARHS Member) was to Junee at 7.59 am that It must have been crowded under control of Driver
on the dash to Strathfield Tests CA Cardew (also No.23 South West Mail station for the official party. Engineer), the engine was
Archives 781225
3826 watches an electric
train pacing his engine
ARHS Archives 215734,
215740, 215733 positioned back at the Young (Chief Mechanical the engine as well. ARHS
Right: The Fireman of decoration, before being ner for Railways) and Commissioner to ride
7 Archives 745331 Messrs. Hartigan (Commissio who was invited by the
the road ahead. NF Reed,
ARHS O’Sullivan MLA and Horace Chicken Snr.
well-known retired Driver
Depot and his Father,
76
10 64

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AVAILABLE ONLINE ON ARHSNSW.COM.AU/SHOP

AUGUST 2021 61
 W HIS
IL TO
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ARHSnsw

FOR 2021
N W AY HI S T

IC
UPCOMING TOURS
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VALID

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Two Day Weekend Tour,

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DIVISI

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AU

FOR ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED IN RAILWAYS

PONED Lines of Newcastle and its

Y
Inner Suburbs with Ed Tonks
2021 Tour Calendar postponed to a date to be advised
A re-creation of
Our year ahead in Tours is shaping up to be the Orange Day Train,
a very exciting year with plenty 16 travelling in Heritage Carriages
OCT
of variety on offer. hauled by 42101. NEW!

It is important to get in early and book A look at Recent Historic

as tours do sell out quickly. Railway Footage in
a presentation at the
Our Tours brochure and booking forms 23 Auchmuty Library at
are available on the website or by OCT Newcastle University and
contacting the office. a William IV Newcastle
Harbour Cruise.
NEW TOUR DATE!

LATE 402 Club, 5 Day Rail Tour

NOV to Cobar. NEW!

MAR Reverse 10 Day Grand Circle

2022 3 State Tour in 621/721. NEW!

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Note - All Minors need to be accompanied by Parents or Guardians on all Tours.
ARHS (NSW) is not responsible for last minute change of locomotives or rail motor or destination by the train operator.
In the event of cancellation due to any variations to imposed COVID-19 restrictions, you will receive a full refund.
ARHS tours will comply with all COVID-19 social distancing requirements and conditions.
Refunds: up to 30 days prior – 100%; less than 30 days to 7 days – 90%; less than 7 days- Regret NO REFUND
On Saturday 3 April, ICE 158/152 crosses from the Down to
Up tracks as it departs Northgate heading for Banyo Yard.
Anthony Evans