Inland Rail leaders visit ‘future proofing’ works in NSW

Australia’s Inland Rail leadership inspected work activities as $2m of Inland Rail “future proofing” upgrade works neared completion between Parkes and Narromine in NSW’s Central West.

In one of their first actions at the helm, recently appointed Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) Inland Rail Chief Executive Officer Richard Wankmuller and new ARTC Chairman Warren Truss joined ARTC Managing Director John Fullerton to view bridge upgrade works at Goonumbla.

The upgrade work will support ongoing delivery of Inland Rail when construction begins on the project’s Parkes to Narromine section in the middle of 2018, following the necessary environmental approvals.

John said ARTC took advantage of planned operational rail line shutdowns to build four new concrete bridges to Inland Rail engineering standards. The concrete bridges replace four timber top bridges that have reached their end of operational life on ARTC’s existing network. “The concrete bridges are stronger, which will provide productivity benefits for the local rail network,” he commented.

“Importantly, once Inland Rail is approved and constructed, the bridges will support the longer, heavier and more efficient trains that will carry the lion’s share of domestic freight between Melbourne and Brisbane.

“The Inland Rail standard allows for a significant increase in axle loads, which means regional producers can get more of their payload on each train using the line. One 1.8km long train with ‘double stacked’ container capacity using Inland Rail will support the movement of about 2,500 tonnes of freight in a single trip, which will slash freight costs by around 30% compared to road.

“That’s good for all Australians as it will lead to safer roads. It’s also good for Australian businesses as it boosts productivity and makes us more competitive as a nation. Locally, the Central West region will benefit by a $480m injection into the economy through the Inland Rail project.

“Some of the nation’s biggest companies are supporting Inland Rail as our future freight solution and ARTC will deliver this benefit to all Australians for generations to come.”

Bridge upgrades at Goonumbla and Mickibri took place from 29 April to 1 May 2018; while another bridge at Goonumbla and at Tomingley West were upgraded last month. Further bridge upgrades were completed at Tomingley and Narwonah last year.

For more information, visit www.Inlandrail.com.au

7th May 2018