Freight Rail, Passenger Rail

Interstate network remains closed following NSW wild weather

Fallen trees and debris, power failures and fallen power lines contributed to the suspension of services on the Interstate Network.

A SECTION of the Interstate Network between the New South Wales centres of Telarah and Grafton remains closed following inclement weather across the region.

According to the Australian Rail Track Corporation, “high rainfall, strong winds, fallen trees and debris, power failures and fallen power lines and power poles are all concerns which led to operations being halted”.

““Weather events such as these have the potential to damage to our network and increases risks to all those involved in the transport operations,” an ARTC spokesperson said.

“Continued periods of rain caused significant impacts on the network at approximately 60 sites along the network, where significant restoration works will be required.”

According to the ARTC, with better weather forecast, they had moved into the restoration phase.

“Ensuring the safety of the community, our customers and staff remains our highest priority,” the spokesperson said.

“ARTC will provide further updates as the situation progresses.”

Hunter Valley

As reported in Rail Express, the ARTC has resumed full rail operations on the Hunter Valley Network between Newcastle and Maitland following a closure due to localised flooding.

“As part of the full return to service, coal services that were running in a limited capacity have returned to standard operations and passenger trains have resumed operations on the network,” the spokesperson said.

“The network between Narrabri North and Moree remains closed due to continued flooding in the north west of the Hunter Valley Network.”

The spokesperson thanked the community and ARTC customers “for their continued patience and cooperation as we worked to recover operations as quickly and safely possible”.