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The capacity, efficiency and reliability of the freight rail line between Tahmoor and Aylmerton will be enhanced thanks to a $4 million upgrade in signal technology by the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
ARTC have successfully replaced old electro-mechanical signals with modern Colour Light LED signals and coded track circuits in the Tahmoor to Aylmerton section on both the Up and Down Main lines.
The commissioning brought 14 new Colour Light LED signals and 15 new track circuits into use and allowed the removal of 22 electro-mechanical signals and 61 old track circuits.
Despite heavy rain and strong winds leading up to and during the commissioning work the teams powered on, overcoming all hurdles successfully completing the project on schedule.
ARTC CEO David Marchant said the work was important for increasing capacity on the line.
“By improving the signal technology, ARTC has been able to remove seven temporary speed restrictions on the line which will enable us to increase the number of train paths.”
“Overall this will increase the capacity of the line allowing more goods to be transported. For ARTC the continued upgrade of freight rail infrastructure marks a resurgence in rail.”
“This is particularly important as the amount of goods to be transported doubles over the next few years. However it’s also good news for motorists as every train can replace 100 trucks.”
As part of the project work was also completed between Moss Vale and Campbelltown including routine repairs of the Menangle bridge as well as routine maintenance on the track.