Since re-launching as an online publication with a new website and newswire, Rail Express has reached more than 60,000 users and handled more than 200,000 page views. Here are the top ten stories in that time.
Rail Express launched under its new-look website and newswire in March 2015.
In the six months since then, the site has been visited by 61,928 separate users, a year-on-year increase of 24%. Page views have increased by 57% to nearly 217,000, while total user sessions have increased 55% to just under 122,000.
As the official publication, and major media partner for AusRAIL Plus in Melbourne later this year, we’re anticipating a strong six months ahead. Limited spots remain on the website and on the daily email newswire for those looking to advertise. Contact our national advertising manager, Joseph D’Albora at joseph.dalbora@informa.com.au, or call him on (02) 9080 4108 for more information.
We’d like to thank the readers for making the first six months of the new format so successful. Here are the 10 stories you clicked on the most:
Is this Australia’s weirdest railroad crossing?
August 24, 2015
PHOTOS/VIDEO: This drawbridge style cane train crossing over the QR main line near Bundaberg is a site to behold.
“The cape gauge main line is used at speeds of up to 160km/h,” photographer David Gubler said on the popular online forum Reddit, “hence they replaced the diamonds by this strange solution.”
Controlled blast clears NSW’s impromptu suspension bridge
April 29, 2015
WATCH: ARTC contractors have cleared a section of rail on the damaged North Coast network with a controlled explosion, which was filmed and shared by Tocal College.
Last week’s extreme weather and flooding in northern and central NSW left many sections of track on the North Coast rail network damaged, with ballast washed away in several locations, and entire sections of land washed away in some places.
Details on Intercity Fleet revealed
July 28, 2015
The contract to supply NSW with a fleet of new intercity trains is being contested by four shortlisted parties. A Transport for NSW spokesperson shared more details with Rail Express.
The spokesperson confirmed the new Intercity Fleet will replace the “aging” V-set trains.
Hunter network to remain closed; North Coast significantly damaged
April 23, 2015
After it originally thought it could re-open its Hunter Valley network as early as Thursday afternoon, the Australian Rail Track Corporation has announced the network will remain closed for at least 48 hours longer.
Re-opening of the ARTC’s North Coast network looks to be even further away, with significant damage recorded and crews scrambling just to get a grip on just how much repair work is needed.
How was boy, 13, able to cause train wreck?
August 3, 2015
VIDEO: US officials have released stunning footage of a rail car ploughing into a station after a 13-year-old boy allegedly set the car in motion while playing in a rail yard.
Footage shows a single, uncontrolled rail car travelling towards Union Station, in Utica, New York, before it slams into the railway station’s building, narrowly avoiding bystanders waiting to board an Amtrak passenger service.
20 Sydney stations get Opal top-up machines
March 30, 2015
Transport for NSW has rolled out 28 Opal top-up machines at train stations and ferry wharves across its network, with 20 stations on the Sydney network getting in on the action.
Minister for transport Gladys Berejiklian – who was re-elected to the seat of Willoughby at Saturday’s election – announced the rollout on Friday.
Work begins on second rail crossing for Sydney Harbour
April 9, 2015
Fresh off its success at the recent state election, the Baird Government has started early works on the second Sydney Harbour rail crossing, the next stage of the government’s Sydney Rapid Transit project.
Over coming weeks, geotechnical drilling will occur up to 70m below Sydney Harbour, to help determine the best location for the new railway tunnels.
SA derailment: ATSB says ARTC risk control ‘ineffective’
March 26, 2015
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found that the Australian Rail Track Corporation’s risk control processes were ineffective in the lead-up to a derailment in South Australia midway through last year.
Early in the morning of April 10, 2014, SCT Logistics train 3MP9 derailed after travelling over track that had been undercut by floodwaters near a culvert between Tarcoola and Malbooma, SA.
First Inland Rail tender awarded
July 6, 2015
Infrastructure minister Warren Truss has announced the company which will provide environmental and engineering consultancy on the first stages of the Inland Rail project.
Australian-based engineering firm GHD was awarded the contract by Truss, who said the appointment is a clear demonstration of “real progress” on the Brisbane-to-Melbourne rail link.
MinRes boss comments on ‘iron ore monorail’
March 24, 2015
Chris Ellison, managing director of Mineral Resources, has spoken publicly about the company’s ambitious plan to construct a first-of-its-kind, driverless monorail for iron ore transport in the Pilbara.
The bulk ore transport system (BOTS) was described by Mineral Resources in its half yearly presentation late in February as “occupying a niche between heavy rail and conveyor”.