In a milestone for the Cross River Rail project, a train has entered one of the project’s twin tunnels and pulled up to one of the new underground station platforms.
The train travelled almost four-kilometres from the Mayne Yard stabling facility to the new Roma Street underground station platform, forming a “proof of concept” and setting up the project for success ahead of its final testing and commissioning phase.
The proof of concept involved the train entering the tunnel at low speed – approximately five kilometres per hour – and using minimal power to conduct several critical tests.
These included testing overhead power systems with the train and safe movement through the tunnel.
Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton said the test paves the way for testing of different and more complex systems across the project.
“Following the proof of concept, crews will prepare for more rigorous testing across the remaining tunnel and station areas,” Newton said.
“These tests will start with validating individual systems and gradually expand to test multiple systems at the same time before full capacity timetable testing prior to opening to the public.
“While the massive feats of engineering we saw during Cross River Rail’s construction phase were impressive, the methodical and rigorous period of testing and commissioning we’re now entering into will be just as crucial to the project’s success.”
The proof of concept was made possible after the section of tunnel north of the Roma Street underground station was energised, using around 4.5km of rigid overhead conductor bars to provide 25 kilovolts of power to the train.
Overall, there will be thousands of tests performed for the Cross River Rail tunnels and stations, including testing the fire protection and detection systems, communications, lighting, power, earthing and bonding, CCTV, drainage, lifts and escalators, ventilation, security and passenger information systems.
Ultimately, the rigorous testing and commissioning regime will allow passenger services to run safely through the tunnels to the new underground stations at Roma Street, Albert Street in the middle of the CBD, Woolloongabba and Boggo Road.
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