East-West rail link expected to re-open tomorrow

<p>Rail freight services between Adelaide and Perth are expected to resume tomorrow afternoon (Thursday, January 5) after the 1 km of line cut by flash flooding has been restored.</p> <p>The section of the track at Nurina, about 600 km east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, was washed away on Saturday.</p> <p>It had been hoped that the line could be re-opened today, but the ABC quoted Australian Rail Track Corporation chief executive Wayne James saying repair work was still progressing.</p> <p>"There have been work trains dispatched from Port Augusta &#8211 we are loading trains in Kalgoorlie to also go from the west to do repairs," he said.</p> <p>All train services have been suspended, with freight trains stabled at Port Augusta, Kalgoorlie and Perth.</p> <p>It is expected that there may be speed restrictions in place until the repaired line has bedded down.</p> <p>Trains normally travel at 115 km&#47h on the line but will be reduced to 20 km&#47h on the damaged section. </p> <p>Mr James said he expected the section would be completely repaired within three to four weeks, when the speed restriction could be lifted.</p> <br />