NSW ACT Country & Freight Rail

[ozbob]

Daily Telegraph --> Country train stations will be left "unattended" as NSW Government cuts regional rail worker numbers

AT least 10 train stations in NSW will be unmanned and another 20 forced to operate with fewer staff and shorter opening hours as part of a massive shake-up of the state's rail system.

A review by NSW TrainLink, which runs regional and rural rail services, has raised concerns about the lack of ­security and shrinking customer service on trains to and from some of the state's ­biggest regional towns.

Griffith, Byron Bay, Lismore, Broken Hill and ­Murwillumbah will all be closed, allowing passenger pick up and drop off only.

And up to 60 fulltime ­positions on stations will be cut due to a drop in face-to-face ticket sales, patronage levels and staff workloads.

In meetings with the Rail Tram and Bus Union last week, TrainLink management said it wanted to ­"modernise" regional services and at least 11 stations would be unmanned.

Staff were also advised the government wanted to close down the Broadmeadow Travel Centre in Newcastle and cut staff and opening hours at the Sydney Booking Office at Central.

[ozbob]

Canberratimes --> NSW TrainLink staff at regional railway stations, including Canberra, to be slashed

[Gazza]

You'd wonder why they haven't done this sooner, and just have a local newsagent selling tickets.

Byron bay station is dead when I've stuck my head in to have a look, so you just have someone paid to pick their fingernails.

[SurfRail]

^ I expect that by far the greatest number of travellers would be arriving on non NSW TrainLink services anyway.

[ozbob]

Rail Express --> Greens accuse NSW of not respecting regional transport

[tazzer9]

Most people need to realise they are not closing the stations, just making them unmanned. 
It truly amazing how they even have staff at some places like the stops on the old murwillumbah branch.  Lismore is my personal favourite since the buses stop at the station and the tourist centre.

I do however question the reduction of staff at some stations.   It looks like a prelude to scrapping all trains and bussing everything.   

Grafton, Casino, Coffs harbour, goulburn, wauchope, cootamundra, armidale and bathurst are all fairly busy stations. 

[ozbob]

Fixing Country Rail >> http://freight.transport.nsw.gov.au/network/rail/fixing-country-rail/index.html

Pilot program

On 1 April 2016, the NSW Government announced $15 million in funding for Fixing Country Rail pilot projects.

Projects funded under the Fixing Country Rail pilot could include sidings, passing loops, overtaking lanes, and network enhancements that all lead to the use of faster, longer and heavier trains.

Applications for Fixing Country Rail funding will be assessed in two phases: a call for Expressions of Interest followed by a call for Full Applications.

All Expressions of Interest will be reviewed by a Technical Panel and assessed by the Infrastructure NSW Regional Independent Assessment Panel, which will compile a shortlist of projects to go through to the Full Application phase.

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Regional communities relieved as NSW Government abandons plans to leave railway stations unstaffed

The New South Wales Government says it has heard community concern about its plan to cut staff numbers at regional train stations.

Under a planned review that proposed to reduce customer service staff, eight stations were set to be unstaffed, which included Parkes, Broken Hill, Wellington, Griffith, Macksville, Yass Junction and Nambucca Heads.

Transport Minister Andrew Constance has abandoned the plans and said the eight affected stations would continue to be staffed to meet customers' needs.

The plan sparked concerns it would pose a safety risk to customers, and many community groups argued removing customer service staff would have a big impact on regional tourism. ...

[ozbob]

FCRail pilot round projects announced. Further details soon at: https://t.co/L0V5YTACM8 pic.twitter.com/7EbEbneCJg

— NSW Freight (@nswfreight) August 8, 2016

[ozbob]

FB Fix Country Rail --> https://www.facebook.com/fixcountryrail/posts/1141206765923073:0

[ozbob]

TfNSW Freight Fixing Country Rail

Pilot round: 2016-17

>> http://freight.transport.nsw.gov.au/network/rail/fixing-country-rail/index.html#

[ozbob]

Queanbeyan Station will be temporarily closed between 14 - 17 November for a platform upgrade. For more info visit https://t.co/eCoYaVMHi9 pic.twitter.com/zkX9duUdgG

— NSW TrainLink South (@TrainLinkSouth) November 5, 2016

[ozbob]

First train at upgraded burren junction site pic.twitter.com/VVl8KVp0cq

— NSW Freight (@nswfreight) November 29, 2016

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Freight limits imposed after defects found in Hawkesbury River rail bridge

Limits are being imposed on freight trains running over the rail bridge connecting Sydney with the Central Coast and Newcastle, after engineering reports found cracking in the bridge's concrete and "consistent defects" in its steel frame.

A "load rating and fatigue assessment report" prepared for Sydney Trains in July and obtained by Fairfax Media recommends strengthening of the upper sections of the Hawkesbury River rail bridge.

The emergence of the report comes after the Labor opposition helped expose crumbling in one of the concrete piers of the bridge, as well as the initial failure of Sydney Trains to conduct recommended repairs.

Fairfax Media subsequently reported transport authorities did not know the strength or carrying capacity of about a quarter of the state's rail bridges – a fact Transport for NSW and Sydney Trains first tried to deny.

The latest report into the Hawkesbury River bridge, over which tens of thousands of people travel every day, examines the upper steel and concrete sections of the bridge.

The report, by engineering consultants SMEC, identifies defects through parts of the concrete, some of which indicate that "corrosion may have been initiated in some locations".

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Two-hour train ride between Canberra and Sydney on the cards

Canberrans could be nipping up to Sydney in just two hours if a new high speed railway project gets the green light.

Executives from Spanish train-building company Talgo arrived in Canberra on Wednesday to discuss running their high speed passenger trains between the two cities.

Commercial director Guillermo Martinez told The Canberra Times the state of the art trains would halve the current four-hour rail journey between Canberra and Sydney.

The trains would run on the existing tracks between the two cities with little to no modification needed to railway infrastructure, he added.

"We have looked at the current track between Sydney and Canberra and it was not as bad as we thought," he said.

"There is no problem running our trains on the existing railway tracks.

"For us, this is one of the main reasons to put in our train set. Because we don't need to invest as much on the tracks."

The full proposal would cost less than $100 million, Mr Martinez said, with Talgo understood to be seeking contributions from governments in New South Wales and the ACT.

Mr Martinez said if the government committed to the project, Talgo would have the trains up and running in "12 months or less".

Talgo would also lend a demonstration train to Australia free of charge just to prove their technology worked before the government committed a cent.

"There would be no cost associated with the trial," Mr Martinez said.

"All of the initial cost for the trial would be borne by us."

The Indian government is currently running trials of Talgo trains between the cities of Mumbai and New Delhi.

In initial trials, conducted last September, the trains shaved more than four hours off the typical railway journey time of 16 hours.

Project manager Salvador Flores said the primary reason the trains travelled so fast was because they used a "tilting" system that allowed them to maintain speed on corners.

"Mainly it's the passive tilting system that allows the train to run faster. It's a difference in technology," he said.

Mr Martinez said it was too soon to tell exactly how quickly the units could travel on Australian tracks, although Talgo trains are capable of reaching speeds as fast as 200 kilometres per hour.

They would have a similar passenger capacity to the trains currently running on the Sydney to Canberra line, Mr Martinez added.

Fenner MP Dr Andrew Leigh is expected to meet with the Talgo delegation to discuss the project on Thursday.

"Although it is early days, Talgo's visit to Canberra highlights the range of affordable options available for the NSW government to shorten rail travel time between Sydney and Canberra," Dr Leigh said.

"The current journey of four hours puts the train behind the Canberra-Sydney bus line, but with a modest investment from the Berejiklian government, Talgo high-speed trains could make the trip in two hours and be competitive with air travel."

A public meeting has been organised to discuss the project on Thursday evening. It will begin at 6pm at 1 Balmain Crescent in Acton and will include presentations from Talgo representatives.

[ozbob]

Canberratimes --> Andrew Leigh urges NSW government to support Canberra to Sydney high-speed train

Federal MP Dr Andrew Leigh is urging the NSW government to support a high-speed railway proposal between Canberra and Sydney.

The proposal, put forward by Spanish manufacturing company Talgo, could slash the rail travel time between the two cities from four hours to just two and a half hours.

In a letter to NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance, Dr Leigh stressed the importance of improving rail links between Sydney and the nation's capital.

"As you are aware, the current train time from Sydney to Canberra takes around four hours - considerably longer than the time to drive," read the letter, obtained by Fairfax Media.

"Many in the Canberra community and along the train route have expressed to me their concern that this is disadvantaging those who would prefer to travel by train, and leading to additional congestion on the roads."

Executives from Talgo travelled to Canberra last week to discuss the project with Dr Leigh, the opposition spokesman for competition and productivity.

It is understood Talgo have also met with representatives from territory, state and federal governments, who have expressed some interest in the project.

Talgo have offered to lend Australia one of their trains free of charge in order to test the feasibility of the project.

Their trains would run on the existing tracks between the two cities with little to no modification needed to railway infrastructure.

"[Talgo] are confident that with their system, the journey time could be reduced from 4 hours to 2.5 hours," Dr Leigh wrote in his letter to Mr Constance.

"I wonder whether your government might consider this, and at least see what the Talgo train could do?"

The full proposal would cost less than $100 million and could be completed in 12 months or less, Talgo commercial director Guillermo Martinez told The Canberra Times.

The Indian government is currently running trials of Talgo trains between the cities of Mumbai and New Delhi, where they have shaved four hours off the typical journey time of 16 hours.

Talgo project manager Salvador Flores said the primary reason the trains travelled so fast was because they used a "tilting" system that allowed them to maintain speed on corners.

"Mainly it's the passive tilting system that allows the train to run faster. It's a difference in technology," he said.

Mr Martinez said it was too soon to tell exactly how quickly the units could travel on Australian tracks, although Talgo trains are capable of reaching speeds as fast as 200 kilometres per hour.

They would have a similar passenger capacity to the trains currently running on the Sydney to Canberra line, Mr Martinez added.

Last Thursday ANU Professor Clive Williams MG, who has no commercial interest in the initiative, organised a community meeting to discuss the proposal.

"We had about 100 people show up to the meeting, it went very well," he said.

"The attendance was a mix of people who were just interested in the proposal, and those who were ex-railway employees.

"There was a lot of support for it. Now it's just a matter of building up momentum."

The Canberra Times has contacted the NSW government for comment.

[ozbob]

Safety watchdog to hold inquiry after brakes fail on train south of Sydney https://t.co/hjqMy2riK1

— smh.com.au (@smh) April 23, 2017

[ozbob]

News report of XPT v. Car at a LX Kyogle.  Initial reports suggest XPT off the rails.

[ozbob]

News report of XPT v. Car at a LX Kyogle.  Initial reports suggest XPT off the rails.

Northern Star --> Car hit by train at Kyogle

EMERGENCY services were called to a Kyogle rail crossing at 8.10am where a train has collided with a car near the Kyogle CBD.

A NSW Ambulance media spokeswoman said the car was occupied.

Paramedics and police are at the scene now on the corner of Andrews St and Yongurra Rd, Kyogle.

UPDATE 9am: EMERGENCY services have converged at a devastating scene at Kyogle this morning where a car carrying single driver has been struck by a high speed XPT service.

It's unknown whether any passengers of the train were injured.

A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesman said the Kyogle Fire Rescue unit was called to the scene and arrived at 8.20am.

State Emergency Service and Rural Fire Service units are also in attendance alongside police and paramedics.

UPDATE 9.15am: A WOMAN has been killed after the car she was driving was hit by a southbound XPT passenger train service just after 8am this morning at a rural train crossing, NSW Police have confirmed.

The driver of the train has been transported to hospital in shock, while passengers of the train appear to be uninjured, a spokeswoman said.

The woman also had a dog in her car which has been badly injured and may not survive.

Emergency services are currently working at the devastating scene on the corner of Andrew St and Yongurra St south of the Kyogle CBD.

UPDATE 9.39am: POLICE media have released a statement about a fatal train crash at Kyogle.

Police are at the scene of a crash between a passenger train and a car at Kyogle, in the state's north.

About 8.10am (Wednesday 14 June 2017) a white Holden Commodore was hit by a train at a road crossing near Summerland Way and Andrew Street.

A 60-year-old female driving the vehicle died at the scene. A dog in the car was injured and was euthanized by a vet.

The train driver and approximately 33 passengers on board the train were not injured.

Police from Richmond Local Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident and is yet to give a statement to come forward.

[ozbob]

Andrews St and Yongurra Rd, Kyogle

LX, open with STOP signs.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x6b90af654b550e09%3A0xf131b630f4ec2ea&hl=en-AU

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/7NewsQueensland/status/874880673290571776

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Why does the Sydney-Canberra train stop in Kingston and not the CBD?

Most capital cities have a train station in the middle of town — that was almost the case for Canberra.

This week's question comes from Beck Pearse, an academic who lived in Canberra's north.

Beck travelled regularly between Canberra and Sydney by bus.

"Given that the train is four-and-a-half hours and only runs two times a day, adding the trip over to Kingston just makes it an untenable journey for me," she said.

It made her wonder why Canberra's train station wasn't more centrally located.

And like many Curious Canberrans who get in touch, Beck had done some of her own research.

"We found out that there actually was a station in Civic at one point or there was a plan for it?"

Many of you have asked about the rumoured Civic station, and after you voted for Beck's question in June we managed to find proof of its existence.

The train station in Kingston was never meant to be Canberra's main, or only, station.

"The original use of the railway line was not as a passenger line," said David Flannery, Chair of the ACT Heritage Council.

"It was to bring goods, particularly building materials, in for the early construction of the city and to bring coal to the [Kingston] Powerhouse."

The railway line was completed in 1914, and connected the newly-named capital to the existing railway line across the border, in Queanbeyan.

The station's proximity to the powerhouse explains its location but not how it came to be Canberra's only station. That's a slightly longer story, which starts with a disagreement.

Mark Butz knows the story well, he runs rail tours for the ACT Railway Historical Society and Engineering Heritage Australia.

"The people who originally thought about locating the city, which were surveyors mostly and some engineers, thought that would be the logical place to put the city — on the southside," he said

"That meant the [Kingston] railway station was in the perfect place to serve as the centre of the city."

Amy Lay, an exhibitions curator at the National Archives of Australia, had come across this too.

"Griffin had initially planned that his railway would go from the south to north ... whereas the bureaucrats thought it would be better if it went through the south," she said.

"This is a problem because there's different ideas about how the city should look."

She believes that this could have had an impact on how Canberra's railway was funded.

Records show that Griffin's proposed railway line — a permanent line that would travel through the city and connect to Sydney and Melbourne via Yass — was costed multiple times, by the engineer-in-chief and even by Griffin himself.

Bureaucrats then suggested alternative rail lines, some of which didn't go as far as Civic or travelled through the south, deviating from Griffin's plans.

"They had about five or six different options, and of course the one that was most favourable to the bureaucrats was the cheapest," Amy said.

"The plan was, by 1915, not to bother with these permanent lines, temporary ones were decided upon."

What was built in 1920 was a temporary line that went from Kingston station, across the Molonglo River and onto Civic, terminating in Braddon.

Like the early Kingston line, it was designed to aid construction, this time in the city's north.

"Unfortunately, it [the train] crossed the Molonglo River on a fairly flimsy timber bridge," said David.

"About 18 months after it was constructed, a flood came down the Molonglo and wiped the bridge out."

Its destruction marked a turning point in Canberra's rail history.

"That event of the bridge going over really was the end of any hope of the railway line being extended to Kingston across to Russell and to Civic, and beyond," David explained.

A decade after the Kingston station was built, it became a "bona fide passenger line".

A longer platform was built in 1924 to accommodate passengers, and by 1927, a new station building was ready to welcome parliamentarians who were relocating from Melbourne to Canberra.

Many Canberrans have asked whether there was ever a train station in Civic, where Garema Place is today.

The answer is yes, and no.

"It certainly wasn't a railway station," said Mark Butz.

"It was simply an open platform that was at the height of the carriages that transported people and goods — so they could step out safely instead of clamouring down onto the ground."

If it still stood, Mark believes it would be in the middle of Garema Place, roughly where the concrete chess board is today.

The line didn't match Griffin's plans exactly because its primary function was to transport workers and building materials.

It picked up workers from a platform in Russell and brought them into Civic.

"This one here in Garema Place, that was very much a temporary thing," Mark said.

"In Griffin's plan, we would have a number of stations, including one here in Civic, which would be right in the middle of the Canberra Centre ... that was going to be Civic station."

But Civic station wouldn't have been the city's central station.

"The actual railway itself was intended to go much closer to Mount Ainslie ... with a big station under his big market building, which is pretty much where the Australian-American memorial is now."
High-speed rail?

On hearing the story of Canberra's railway lines, Beck couldn't help but laugh.

"I'm from Sydney originally, so I'm not surprised by any bad development decisions!"

Still, she wanted to know whether rail was still being discussed today, especially high-speed rail.

Earlier this year, the ACT Chief Minister called for a train service between Sydney and Canberra that would take less than three hours.

Even if a new rail project gets the go-ahead for the capital, a station in the CBD isn't guaranteed.

"The way the city's evolved now, I can't see anyway that there could ever be a full railway station in the city," Mark Butz said.

"If there was a rail link to the north, it would be much closer to the airport ... where we've got the parkway and that transport infrastructure."

[ozbob]

Newcastle Herald --> Newcastle to Sydney trains may lose an hour under fast rail plan

TRAINS between Sydney and Newcastle could be an hour faster if a business case the federal government has pledged to help pay for pans out.

The state government has won a share of $20 million in federal funding to help them investigate improvements to the link between the Hunter and the state's capital. It is one of three rail projects from around the country chosen to be analyzed in greater detail by the Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities.

The line crossing the Hawkesbury joins a link between Brisbane and the regions of Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast, plus a proposal corridor linking Melbourne to greater Shepparton in those revealed on Friday to be progressing.

In a joint statement with Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Hunter business case cash would be combined with funding from the state government to explore the upgrade's feasibility.

"Once the business case for each proposal is complete they will then proceed to independent assessment by Infrastructure Australia," the statement said. "If these proposals prove to be viable, they offer the potential to significantly reduce journey times on these key corridors—meaning better options for people who want to have the lifestyle of a regional centre but access to the job opportunities of a big city."

Documents detailing the NSW government's proposal for a business case indicate changes including better segregation between passenger and freight services, removal of level crossings and realigning the track to make trips faster between Newcastle and Sydney could save the hour on a trip that regularly reaches three hours.

"The NSW government has indicated that travel times between Sydney and Newcastle could be reduced from approximately three hours to two hours," the document states.

An estimated cost is listed to "be confirmed in coming weeks". Comment has been sought from Transport Minister Andrew Constance's office.

The Property Council of Australia welcomed the inclusion of the Hunter's link to the state capital.

"Both Newcastle and Sydney have growing populations and faster rail will mean people can move more easily between the two," Property Council Hunter committee chair Neil Petherbridge said.

"A shorter travel time is critical to opening up housing and business opportunities for the Hunter region and means people who work in Sydney but live in Newcastle will face an easier commute.

"Faster rail will also make the Newcastle area more appealing for people to move to the region.

The NSW government proposal highlights the faster intercity link's potential to "unlock housing supply and job growth" between the two cities as one of its main benefits.

Newcastle lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the business case, which also suggests a freight rail bypass for the region, was a piece of infrastructure the region deserved and one the council had affirmed its support for several times.

But she said she was wary of discussing the link as a commuter route, arguing instead it should bolster the Hunter's own economic growth and help attract major organisations to headquarter here. 

"We shouldn't be aspiring to be a commuter suburb," she said. "It's about increasing the connectivity to conduct our own business."

Cr Nelmes said any freight rail bypass planning, including the business case, should plan the concept in conjuction with extending the M1 and the Richmond Vale rail trail.

Lake Macquarie mayor Kay Fraser said there were already strong commuter connections from her area that would strengthen with a quicker trip.

"We already have strong commuter connections with Sydney, particularly from  southern parts of the city such as Wyee and Morisset, so faster rail has the potential to significantly improve work/life balance by reducing travelling times and allowing people to spend more time at home," Cr Fraser said.

"It will also encourage entrepreneurs to look to Lake Macquarie as a business location. They can set up here for a fraction of the cost of operating out of Sydney, and the improved rail link would allow them to draw employees from a larger catchment."

Infrastructure Australia lists preserving a corridor for a future Newcastle freight rail bypass as a high priority initiative, indicating no business case yet exists for an opportunity potentially of national significance. 

The Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities said it would take between a year and 18 months to develop the Sydney to Newcastle upgrade's business case, which will need to demonstrate how the upgrades would result in faster travel times.

"Completed business cases will be considered in the context of the government's wider infrastructure priorities and future budgets, and any future funding commitments will take into account state and private sector financial support."

Mr Petherbridge said he was hopeful the business case would be a step towards a concrete financial commitment towards upgrading the train line from both tiers of government.

"We would like a solid commitment from both the federal and state governments to fund improvements to the Newcastle and Sydney rail line and add some hard and fast timeframes to this project," Mr Petherbridge said.

"Our only concern is that the proposal currently is for a business case only.

"Once the business case outlines the well-known benefits from improvements to travel times, we hope long-term financial commitments will be on the table.

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the investigation would consider "opportunities for integrated transport and land use outcomes for the Central Coast and Hunter".

"The business case will also examine opportunities to maximise benefits from fleet upgrades, now and into the future," he said. "At this stage we will consider the feasibility of a range of options to achieve faster travel times and assess them in the business case." 

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/PaulFletcherMP/status/993354247763705857

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/PaulFletcherMP/status/993360543405633536

[ozbob]

Central Western Daily --> Full steam ahead: Petition calls for better train services

A push to introduce direct morning train services from Orange to Sydney has been strengthened after a petition was launched on Tuesday.

The Orange Rail Action Group is hoping that if 10,000 people sign the petition it will lead to NSW parliament taking action and introducing new direct train services at times when most people want to travel.

Action group chairman Dr Peter Bilenkij said the group wants one or two morning services running from Orange to Sydney.

Dr Bilenkij said ideally the Bathurst Bullet would be stabled in Orange and depart at 5.30am if tracks were upgraded.

However, without track upgrades he said it would have to leave at 4.30am.

He said the group would also like a new morning service from Dubbo as well as a return service in the afternoon, rail infrastructure upgrades to support fast passenger rail, which isn't possible now due to some of the bends, and early commissioning of the new Regional Rail Fleet on the Main Western Line.

"We the community want fast passenger train services between Sydney and the Central West. We hope to see the new regional rail fleet in the Central West as soon as possible," Mr Bilenkij said.

He said people including students, professionals and the elderly want changes to train services as do people who have moved from the Sydney to Orange but still want to go back for visits.

Member for Orange Phil Donato joined the action group members at the launch at Orange Railway Station and threw his support behind the initiative.

Mr Donato said he wanted to encourage population growth in the region and travel between Orange and Sydney was important when it came to encouraging more people to make the move.

"To achieve sustained population and financial growth we need improved passenger rail services to support decentralisation, tourist visitation and regional-metropolitan connectivity," Mr Donato said.

Mr Donato said current travel options for travellers wanting to get to Sydney early in the day were not efficient and often involved people driving or catching a bus to Bathurst so they could catch the Bathurst Bullet.

He said this could be an issue for people with movement issues, luggage, children and people who want or need simple travel.

Dr Bilenkij said there were others who also drove and left their car at train stations in the Blue Mountains or transfer services in Lithgow if direct services did not run at the times they needed.

The petition can be signed at Mr Donato's office in Byng Street during business hours and members of the action group will also be networking and taking the petition around to businesses and community groups.

[ozbob]

^

https://twitter.com/Britt_Hughes9/status/1024180175460651008

[ozbob]

Mailtland Mercury --> Coal train derailment closes Hunter line, buses between Singleton and Scone

Buses are replacing trains between Singleton and Scone on the Hunter rail line after a coal train derailment between Singleton and Muswellbrook.

Australian Rail Track Corporation confirmed an incident occurred on its Hunter Valley rail network at about 12.25pm on Wednesday.

"Wagons from a coal train have derailed (these have largely remained upright) and another coal train running in the opposing direction has struck these resulting in damage to the locomotive," an ARTC spokesman said.

"Some wagons are on their side. There have been no injuries reported.

"Track damage has occurred, and repairs will be required, but the extent of these will be subject to further investigation as well as recovery and removal of the wagons and locomotives."

The incident has been reported to independent transport safety investigators and the incident site is currently quarantined.

ARTC is unsure of when the line will begin re-operating.

Transport for NSW is advising regional train delays on its Sydney to Armidale XPLORER service and Moree to Sydney XPLORER service.

Passengers on those trains, which are stopped at Singleton and Muswellbrook, are expected be bused between the two stations and placed on the opposite train to continue to their destinations.

Transport for NSW is advising passengers to allow extra travel time, listen to announcements and check indicator boards for travel on the Hunter line.

Buses are replacing trains between Singleton and Scone.

Extensive delays are expected.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Faster rail services on the agenda for state and federal elections

The Berejiklian government is expected to commit to a feasibility study to identify the best route for faster rail services to connect regional areas to Sydney.

With the Liberal-National coalition entering campaign mode ahead of the state poll in March, the government is understood to be set to announce as early as this week that it will consider the feasibility of as many as four routes for high speed, or faster rail services.

The most likely routes to be considered include Sydney-Canberra via the new $5 billion-plus airport at Badgerys Creek, and Sydney-Newcastle.

A commitment to a feasibility study will place the prospect of faster rail on Australia's east coast on the agenda for both the federal and state elections next year.

Three business cases for faster rail on the country's east coast – one of which will consider the viability of a line between Newcastle and Sydney – are also due to be completed early next year after the federal government set aside funding in March.

Transport sources said the most viable route for a faster train line was Sydney-Goulburn-Canberra.

"But you can't build it without federal funding," one said.

The state government is already committed to new transport projects, such as a metro line from Sydney's CBD to Parramatta and a second motorway tunnel under Sydney Harbour, whose combined cost will run into the tens of billions of dollars over the next decade.

A new line for a fast train from Sydney to Newcastle is likely to be prohibitively expensive because the terrain would require a significant length to run through tunnels.

In July, NSW Labor promised to commit funding for a study into reducing the four-hour train journey time between Sydney and Canberra if it is elected to government at the state election next March.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said several months ago during a trip to Japan that she would "love to see high-speed rail servicing" the state but noted that it would need to go beyond NSW and would require federal funding for it to become viable.

The Premier's office declined to comment on Monday.

But NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro, who holds the marginal seat of Monaro, said last month that part of the funds the state received from the sale of the Snowy Hydro scheme will go towards identifying a new rail corridor for a fast train line between Sydney and Canberra.

A report by Infrastructure Australia last year said high-speed trains could be running between Canberra and Sydney within 15 years.

However, the country's peak infrastructure body said governments needed to act quickly to buy land along any proposed rail corridor to avoid potential cost blowouts.

Federal Labor's transport spokesman, Anthony Albanese, has long been a proponent of high-speed rail on Australia's east coast. He has been pushing for a high-speed rail authority to be set up to oversee planning, a business case and the options for private sector investment.

A $20 million study commissioned by the Rudd government and completed in 2013 estimated the cost of a high-speed rail line from Melbourne to Brisbane via Sydney at $114 billion.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/GladysB/status/1069718060456497152

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https://twitter.com/abcsydney/status/1069782408151486464

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https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/1069851531145433089

[Stillwater]

Election stunt, as much as people would like it to happen.  Always be wary of states proposing projects that they say need to be funded by the federal government.  That's a bit like saying my neighbours need to fund the pool room extension to my house.

[ozbob]

ATSB - Runaway of grain train 8960, Dombarton to Unanderra, NSW, on 22 April 2017

https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2017/rair/ro-2017-001/

What happened

On 22 April 2017, Qube Logistics (Qube) grain train 8960, travelling from Bogan Gate to Inner Harbour, Port Kembla, New South Wales, ranaway as it descended the Illawarra Mountain between Dombarton and Unanderra. After passing Dombarton, the driver realised he had lost control of the train. At 1248, the driver contacted the ARTC network controller who, in conjunction with Sydney Trains' train controller, cleared a pathway for 8960. The maximum allowable speed for the Dombarton to Unanderra section was 30 km/h; however, the train reached a maximum speed of 107 km/h. At 1255, the train stopped, assisted by a shallower gradient near Unanderra station. There were no injuries or damage because of the incident.

What the ATSB found

The ATSB's investigation found that as train 8960 was operated down the Illawarra Mountain, the train management actions by the driver did not conform to train handling procedures. After passing Summit Tank, the driver made ten brake applications and in doing so did not allow the train's pneumatic brake system to fully recharge. This resulted in a loss of necessary braking capability to be able to control the train's speed on the steep continuous descent. The incident was further compounded when the driver's actions caused the locomotive's dynamic braking system to be rendered inoperative, further reducing control of the train.

The braking system was operating within specification and were loaded below the maximum allowable payload. However, the train was loaded by approximately 10% more than that recorded on the train's consist record. It is probable that the additional mass placed an extra load on the braking system and affected the handling characteristics of the train.

After the incident, the train controller in Sydney directed the driver of train 8690 to move the train from the rail network to Inner Harbour Terminal without any formal inspection following the runaway event. The Pacific National yard train controller in Inner Harbour did not alert ground personnel of the emergency event or of a runaway train being directed into their terminal.

What's been done as a result

Immediately following the incident, Qube withdrew the QBX locomotives and CGSY wagons from this route pending testing and inspections. They have since been cleared to return to operate on this route. Qube also changed the requirements for competency assessment on the Moss Vale to Unanderra section, from a single initial assessment to every six months. If a train driver has not been rostered over the corridor within six months he or she must be reassessed on this route. Qube also implemented other more stringent requirements for the training of drivers and weekly auditing of train operations between Moss Vale and Inner Harbour.

A review between the various rail infrastructure managers was conducted regarding the plans and procedures enacted in emergency events, and the decision-making process to move trains from the rail network to Inner Harbour.

Safety message

In order to minimise the risk of runaway events, freight operators should ensure that train drivers receive regular training and competency assessment for steep continuous gradient routes. The standards that apply to these routes should ensure that the locomotive and wagon braking ratios are suitable for the terrain the train will encounter on its route. Contingency plans and procedures to accommodate runaway trains in this area should be continually reviewed and tested by rail infrastructure managers.

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Transport for NSW --> Contracts signed for $1.26 billion Regional Rail Fleet

The NSW Liberals and Nationals Government today signed a contract with Momentum Trains for the $2.8 billion project to design, build, finance and maintain the new regional rail fleet, along with a new purpose-built maintenance facility in Dubbo to help stimulate regional economies.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro, along with the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance visited Dubbo today to announce the project, which includes capital costs of $1.26 billion for the new fleet, the new maintenance facility in Dubbo, network enabling works and other project delivery costs. The contract also includes maintenance services for the first 15 years.

Mr Barilaro said the Liberals and Nationals Government is delivering on its commitment to build a first-class rail fleet for passengers travelling in regional NSW.

"This is a new era for regional rail in NSW," Mr Barilaro said.

"This government is following through on its commitment to replace the old rail fleet with a new modern fleet that passengers can use to travel in comfort with all of the facilities expected of modern rail transport.

"This investment will inject billions of new dollars into regional NSW, creating local jobs during the fit out and commissioning of the new fleet and building a new industry in Dubbo to service and maintain that fleet.

"This is one of the most exciting transformations of passenger rail in NSW for decades, improving how people travel in regional NSW and making sure that investment goes straight back into regional economies.

"If it were up to the Labor party, regional NSW would be stuck with 20th century trains that are housed and maintained in Sydney while regional passengers are left behind," he said.

Some of the new features will include more comfortable, reversible seating, window blinds, charging points for electronic devices and overhead luggage storage similar to what is available on airlines.

They will replace the existing XPT, XPLORER and Endeavour trains, some of which are close to 36 years old and nearing the end of their lifespan.

Mr Constance said the new regional fleet will comprise 117 new carriages to form 10 regional intercity trains, 9 short regional trains and 10 long regional trains.

"For trips on the regional network, we'll be introducing new economy and premium classes. Economy class will have a two by two seating layout while premium class will feature an increased number of seats, set in a two by one layout," Mr Constance said.

"Trains for longer regional journeys will also feature buffet cars and will be more comfortable for those who require wheelchair access.

"The trains will be powered by engines which produce fewer emissions than the current fleet, reducing the impacts on air quality."

Momentum Trains will also maintain the trains for 15 years and will be responsible for designing and building the new fleet maintenance facility in Dubbo, which will be where the final fit out and commissioning of the trains will take place.

"Building the new maintenance facility in Dubbo is a major boost for regional economies. Some 200 jobs will be created during the construction phase, around 60 jobs during train completion works, and around 50 permanent jobs during ongoing operations, including a number of apprenticeships and traineeships," Mr Constance said.

NSW TrainLink will operate the new regional fleet with the first trains to be progressively introduced from 2023.

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Lithgow Mecury --> A second daily Bathurst Bullet rail service to Sydney announced

A SECOND daily rail service between Bathurst and Sydney will be up and running next year, Bathurst MP Paul Toole has announced.

The Bathurst Bullet #2 will depart Bathurst around 7.30am each weekday and leave Sydney for the return trip around 3pm, getting passengers back into Bathurst by 7pm.

It will run in conjunction with the existing Bathurst Bullet service that leaves town at 5.46am and does not return until 9.32pm.

Mr Toole confirmed there would also be a second weekend service to and from Sydney but timetable details were still being finalised.

He said the announcement was not an election promise with work to start immediately on sourcing carriages for the extra services and employing new train drivers.

"When I got into politics eight years ago one of the big issues for me was that Bathurst did not have good rail links to Sydney," Mr Toole said.

"Alongside Rail Action Bathurst, we worked hard to have a daily return rail service delivered for this community and it has proved to be a great success.

"This announcement today takes it to a whole new level."

More to come ...

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Goulburn Post --> They should've been tilt trains says STRUG

The Southern Tablelands Rail Users Group (STRUG) is disappointed the state's new rail fleet will not be tilt trains.

On February 14 the State Government said it had signed a contract with Spanish company Momentum Trains for the $2.8 billion project to design, build, finance and maintain the new regional rail fleet at a new purpose-built maintenance facility in Dubbo.

STRUG president Greg Price said the government had missed an opportunity to upgrade to tilt trains and that it would be "more of the same" as the current 40-year-old fleet.

"By not buying tilt trains, the State Government has condemned regional NSW residents to a continuation of the same slow timetables that we have now," Mr Price said.

"They have given us the same trains in a new dress."

One thing they had got right in the new design is the new trains have dual-powered technology, he said.

"It is dual powered - diesel and electric - so once it gets to Macarthur they can run on the overhead lines and turn the diesel off," Mr Price said.

"This means less diesel fumes as these trains run into Sydney and also particularly at Central Station."

STRUG also pointed out that if the Southern Line ever was electrified, these trains could run all the way to Canberra on electricity, not diesel.

Other benefits of the new design include that commuters will be able to charge their phones and devices at their seats and that there will be more stable tables for people to work on their laptops. It is believed the new trains also will have WiFi.

Mr Price said STRUG, along with other Regional Rail Action NSW partners, was awaiting a briefing from Transport for NSW on further details about the new trains.

In the meantime, from the artist's impressions, the seats appeared to be hard-moulded foam, he said.

"The photos with the media release appear to show the new 2X2 seats moulded in a hard foam like the current Endeavour trains. We feel these would not be comfortable on long journeys," Mr Price said.

"There is also no mention of floor level luggage space for heavy or large passenger bags and inadequate floor level luggage storage is already a problem in the Xplorer and Endeavours.

"The overhead luggage racks are in the airline-style, so they may not have the same storage capacity as the current trains do.

"The doors may also interfere with access if not maintained."

In a statement, Transport for NSW said the new fleet would feature two classes, premium and economy, with about 40 per cent of seating allocated for premium class.

"The intercity trains and economy class on short and long regional trains will have a two-plus-two seating configuration," they said.

"The new fleet's Premium Class offers considerable improvements over the current First Class. The shift from current two plus two to a two plus one seating configuration will allow for significantly wider, more spacious seating."

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https://twitter.com/PRIME7NewsCW/status/1106453769062092800

Millthorpe railway station > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millthorpe_railway_station

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Western Advocate --> Bathurst Rail Action Group welcomes spring launch of second Sydney train

Bathurst Rail Action Group chairman John Hollis has welcomed the announcement that the city's second daily service to Sydney will commence in the spring.

State Member for Bathurst Paul Toole announced last Tuesday that the second Bullet service will be fast-tracked for a spring release after funding was made available in the NSW Budget.

Mr Hollis said the early release of the second Bullet service reflects the urgency of answering a growing demand for regional services to Sydney.

"The new service will provide more options for residents in the region who wish to visit Sydney," he said.

"With the addition of Tarana and Rydal as stops, the new service will be easier for communities east of Bathurst to access."

The second Bullet service is scheduled to leave Bathurst at around 7.30am each weekday and return at 7pm.

Mr Hollis said the new service is a step in the right direction for the continued development of rail operations in the Central West.

"As technology continues to improve, we need to investigate every avenue possible in order to advance the Central West's rail link to Sydney," he said.

"The Bullet has grown in popularity over the last seven years, and it's tremendous to see the service continue to expand."

Western Advocate --> Bathurst Bullet 2.0 rail service to Sydney to start in the spring

THE start of Bathurst's second daily rail service to Sydney has been fast-tracked to the spring after money was made available in the NSW Budget on Tuesday.

The Bullet 2.0, an election promise from Bathurst MP Paul Toole, was due to start in early 2020 but will now be up and running well before the end of the year.

While timetable details are yet to be finalised, Bullet 2.0 will depart Bathurst around 7.30am each weekday and return about 7pm. It will also run on weekends, with stops planned at Tarana and Rydal.

Mr Toole said the new hours would be attractive to many commuters.

"People love the Bullet for being a fast, comfortable way to take a day trip to Sydney," he said.

"But leaving at 5.46am and getting back at 9.32pm is not convenient for everyone.

"This new service doubles the options, making the journey more appealing to more people."

But while the budget had good news for Bathurst rail users, it was a different story for Orange commuters whose calls for a return daily service to Sydney have again fallen on deaf ears.

A petition of 10,000 signatures supporting an Orange rail service will be tabled in parliament this week but Mr Toole said getting the Bullet 2.0 up and running was the government's priority.

"There's still a lot of work that needs to be done on the line between Bathurst and Orange but there will be an opportunity to look at it again in the future," he said.

Roads funding was the other big-ticket item in the budget for Bathurst.

Mr Toole, who also serves as the Minister for Regional Roads, welcomed an allocation of money to begin an upgrade of the Great Western Highway from Kelso to Raglan, the next stage in a continuing project to improve the eastern approaches to Bathurst.

Tuesday's budget set aside $19 million of the anticipated $30 million to complete this latest stage.

"This is critical work when we're talking about a growing city and looking at people coming into town from Sydney for major events," Mr Toole said.

"That section of road already needs an upgrade so this is a good opportunity to build for the future of the city.

"The plans should be out for public comment soon."

[ozbob]

This month we are introducing more Regional train services for Bathurst from Monday 16 September and Griffith from Wednesday 18 September.

Check out all the details here: https://t.co/0PunCFDAjd
Plan your trip now: https://t.co/h3szjuXmsd
📷 Zach Dray pic.twitter.com/zHwCOHA0w3

— Trains Info (@TrainsInfo) September 1, 2019