Upgrades to the freight network in Victoria’s north-west are continuing as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project, with track recently installed for important passing loops to provide greater network flexibility.
Track works were completed earlier this year at Elmhurst, with more than 2000 metres of rail and 7000t of ballast installed for track and turnouts to connect the 900 metre loop to the main rail line.
Drainage and signalling works are continuing at the site before the loop is operational later this year.
At Tourello, track and turnouts have also been installed to re-establish a 960m passing loop on the Maryborough Line, including 5650t of ballast, 1600 sleepers and 1950m of rail.
The loop will accommodate 52-wagon grain trains and create an important passing point for passenger and freight trains once operational.
The new loops at Tourello and Elmhurst are among three being delivered by the project, to allow more options for trains to pass each other on the freight network, with work on a passing loop extension at Emu to begin later this year.
Site investigations, design work and planning approvals are continuing on further upgrades, including signalling upgrades at the Ouyen and Maryborough yards and a mobile refuelling station at Ouyen.
The Murray Basin project includes:
- re-sleepering, adding ballast and adjusting track on the Ouyen to Murrayville Line (complete)
- track upgrades from Ararat to Maryborough (complete)
- new or upgraded sidings at Donald and Merbein (complete)
- new and extended passing loops
- upgraded signalling at Ararat and Maryborough junctions and the Ouyen yard
- new turnouts at Dunolly junction
- re-sleepering from Sea Lake to Dunolly (complete)
- planning and assessment work for further upgrades.
