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Another milestone has been reached in increasing the capacity of the freight rail line between Dry Creek and Outer Harbor with the completion of the ‘Bishop’ crossing loop at Wingfield SA by Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC).
The $2 million ‘Bishop’ crossing loop was named after Mr George Bishop, oneof the longest serving and hard working rail workers in South Australia’shistory. Mr Bishop worked for just under 50 years on the railways, his lastpost as a network controller for Australian Rail Track Corporation.
Sadly in his final years, Mr Bishop contracted cancer. Refusing to stop work,he continued on, undertaking light duties for ARTC. Mr Bishop passed awaybefore the loop could be completed, but the infrastructure stands as amemorial to his service.
ARTC CEO David Marchant said it was only fitting that a brand new piece of infrastructure in the Adelaide Hills be named after such a dedicated rail worker.
“George Bishop’s dedication to his job and the rail industry is symbolic of thetrue spirit of all hardworking Australians. I am proud that ARTC is able torecognise this with the commissioning of a new rail loop in his name.”
“George Bishop’s dedication to his job and the rail industry is symbolic of thetrue spirit of all hardworking Australians. I am proud that ARTC is able torecognise this with the commissioning of a new rail loop in his name.”
“Over the next decade there will be increasing demand from the transportlogistics market for efficient freight solutions.”
“Crossing loops such as the ‘Bishop’ loop are an essential part of theinvestment by ARTC to stay ahead of future demand,” Mr Marchant said.
“This passing loop will increase the capacity of the line by adding anotherpassing point to the corridor. It will also improve train management on the DryCreek to Outer Harbor corridor.”
The construction of the crossing loop involved the installation of 2250sleepers and 1500m of standard gauge rail.