Boost for Hunter Valley coal chain with opening of Bylong loop

By Rob McKay

Construction of the $11m loop was brought forward following joint funding between the ARTC and the Australian Government as part of December's Nation Building package.
The two kilometre passing loop between Gulgong and Denman will help boost the size of trains operating on the line, ARTC chief executive David Marchant said.
Using longer trains reduces above-rail operating costs and enables more coal to be transported in a more cost effective manner with fewer trains, he said
This new passing loop at Bylong will increase capacity on one of the most important coal lines on the east coast.
ARTC partnered with TEJV and Ansaldo to build the loop and introduce new signalling and was part of the 2007-2012 Hunter Valley Coal Network Capacity Improvement Strategy.
Demand for Hunter Valley coal is set to increase dramatically by 2012 and although Australia and the world is experiencing difficult economic times, infrastructure investment must continue, Marchant said.
"The new Bylong passing loop is part of the investment by ARTC to stay ahead of future demand.
Source: Lloyds List Daily Commercial News www.lloydslistdcn.com.au