Work to deliver nine daily return services and faster journeys for passengers using Melbourne’s Shepparton station will soon be under way.
Coaches will replace trains between Southern Cross, Seymour and Shepparton from Saturday, September 4 until Sunday, September 12 to allow construction on the expanded crossing loop to begin, and for Stage 2 works to progress along the line.
Delivery of Stage 3 of the Shepparton Line Upgrade will be accelerated by expanding on the Stage 2 upgrades already under way, which will deliver modern VLocity trains.
The new stabling facility being built north of Shepparton to house the trains will be expanded to accommodate even more cabs and enable more services.
The Murchison East crossing loop will also be extended by an additional 1.1 kilometres, to enable a 1200 freight train and two six-car VLocity trains to pass each other, making services more reliable.
Signalling upgrades between Seymour and Shepparton will also be delivered to enable additional services, and track upgrades to allow trains to travel faster on the line.
Site investigations will also take place during the upcoming construction blitz to inform the design of the track and signalling upgrades needed to deliver nine return services on the line.
Construction of Stage 2 of the Shepparton Line Upgrade continues to ramp up and is targeted for completion in 2022.
The Shepparton Line Upgrade is being delivered as part of the Australian and Victorian governments’ combined investment of $4 billion in Victoria’s regional rail network, which is upgrading every regional passenger rail line in the state and creating 3,000 jobs.