Three Day Track Shut Down

NEXT Tuesday the new 120 stone Loram grinder will be used for the first time on the Hunter rail network, with 1,200 rail employees working on 120 maintenance jobs, during a three day rail shut down.

Buses will replace train passenger services, check the Transport NSW website for details: Timetable.

The maintenance jobs include:

• removing and replacing almost 14 kilometres of rail;
• upgrading approximately 1.5 kilometres of track subgrade across six sites;
• continue ongoing signal upgrade work between Islington and Sandgate, and
• routine maintenance and defect removal and various other major upgrades.

Wayne Johnson, Group Executive Hunter Valley for the ARTC said the work was needed to ensure the track remained safe during extreme heat.

The 120 stone Loram grinder will be used on Hunter rail lines for the firsts time next week. Photo: AR

“As days of extreme heat can have an impact on the track, such as causing signal faults, circuit breaks or track buckling due to intense heat conditions, we need to carry out this work to ensure the track remains safe, particularly in recent extreme weather conditions,” said Mr Johnson.

“We continue to also carry out spot maintenance as required, to ensure the safety and reliability of the track and limit ‘hot works’ on these days, such as welding or rail grinding to reduce  risk,” he said.

“Similar to other recent maintenance programs, a scheduled shutdown is required to allow us to access the track for maintenance and upgrades that cannot be done safely when trains are running,” he said.

“The work will generally start at 6.30am on Tuesday 11 February and is expected to be completed about 6.30am on Friday 14 February.

“We thank our customers, commuters and motorists across the network for their patience while we carry out this important planned maintenance program.

“We remind residents to remain vigilant as there may be more vehicle movements in and out of work sites in residential areas around the work sites,” Wayne Johnson said.