Freight Rail, Passenger Rail

Newcastle, Moree rail connection restored

The ARTC has thanked the community for its patience while the Hunter Valley rail line was impacted from wild weather.

THE Australian Rail Track Corporation has resumed full rail operations on the Hunter Valley Network between Newcastle and Moree following a closure due to localised flooding.

This includes a resumption of services on the network between Narrabri North and Moree in the north west of the Hunter Valley Network.

“Coal services have returned to standard operations and passenger trains have resumed operations on the network,” an Australian Rail Track Corporation spokesperson said.

“We would like to thank the community and our customers for their continued patience and cooperation as we worked to recover operations as quickly and safely possible.”

The spokesperson said that the Interstate Network between Telarah and Grafton had resumed operations for rail traffic, with some restrictions following bad weather.

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

“While trains have resumed at usual capacity, there will be temporary speed restrictions where works have been carried out.

“High rainfall, strong winds, fallen trees and debris, power failures and fallen power lines and power poles were all concerns which led to operations being halted.”

The spokesperson said weather events such as these had the potential to cause network damage.

“Ensuring the safety of the community, our customers and staff remains our highest priority as we work toward a full resumption of service,” he said.