Adelaide-Darwin line still affected by December crash

<p>FreightLink said it planned to have the rail line between Katherine and Darwin tangle free by July as it battled the effects of several disruptions stretching back to December.</p> <p>Northbound passenger services on the Adelaide-Darwin were delayed for more than an hour last week because of the need for The Ghan to allow two FreightLink trains to pass at Katherine, 300 km south of Darwin.</p> <p>While last week’s delay was considered minor, Ghan employees said passenger service disruptions were a regularly occurrence at Katherine.</p> <p>There are no passing loops between Darwin and Katherine.</p> <p>FreightLink chief executive John Fullerton told <em>Lloyd’s List DCN</em> on Friday (April 13) that the problems were a result of earlier incidents.</p> <p>&#8220It’s an unusual circumstance,&#8221 Mr Fullerton said.</p> <p>&#8220We’re still actually feeling the effects of the flood damage we had near Adelaide River a few weeks ago and there are also track repairs still occurring as a result of the Ban Ban Ghan collision back in December.&#8221</p> <p>The repair work is expected to be completed in July, lifting a 20 km&#47h speed limit in place at Ban Ban Springs.</p> <p>A crossing loop will be built along the 300 km section in time for iron ore from Territory Iron’s Frances Creek project in July.</p> <p>&#8220That will certainly help us scheduling trains, but generally speaking our on time running has been good,&#8221 Mr Fullerton said.</p> <p>FreightLink maintained a perfect schedule between August and October last year before schedules were disrupted by several incidents, mostly involving level crossings.</p> <br />