Australia railway news
News about railway and urban rail infrastructure, operations, policy, projects and the supply industry in Australia.
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NewsSystra to support Sydney Trains’ GSM-R to FRMCS transition
AUSTRALIA: Sydney Trains has appointed Systra to support the development of a business case and integration plan for the NextGen Digital Train Radio System programme to transition from the current GSM-R communications to the Future Railway Mobile Communication System.
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NewsLogan & Gold Coast Faster Rail project works underway
AUSTRALIA: The ActivUs consortium of Acciona, CPB Contractors, UGL, SMEC and WSP has begun the design and construction phase of the major works package for Queensland’s Logan & Gold Coast Faster Rail project.
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NewsNewcastle – Sydney high speed railway moves into development phase
AUSTRALIA: The High Speed Rail Authority has called tenders for consultants and technical advisers to assist with planning for the proposed Central Coast High Speed Rail project in New South Wales, following the government go-ahead for a two-year development phase.
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NewsThree shortlisted to provide Melbourne with ‘a world class operator for a world class network’
AUSTRALIA: Victoria’s Department of Transport & Planning has shortlisted three consortia for the next contract to operate and maintain Melbourne’s passenger rail network.
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NewsFortescue commissions battery heavy haul locomotives
AUSTRALIA: Iron ore miner Fortescue has begun commissioning two Progress Rail battery locomotives which it says house the world’s largest land-mobile batteries each with a capacity of 14·5 MWh.
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NewsReplica composite columns installed on Tasmanian railway bridge
AUSTRALIA: Two 5·2 m tall ornamental columns have been installed on TasRail’s historic Longford bridge to replicate originals which were removed in the 1960s to increase clearances.
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NewsSydney Metro West rolling stock, systems and station contracts awarded
AUSTRALIA: Four major contracts have been awarded for the Sydney Metro West project to build a 24 km underground line connecting the centres of Sydney and Parramatta with Westmead.
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In depthData: AI can help railways ‘do boring better’
4AI Systems founder Derel Wust explains to Nick Kingsley how AI holds the key to determining train location, offering potential for a data-led approach to minimising the risk of overspeed and signal passed at danger incidents.
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In depthTelecoms: Australia needs to address GSM-R obsolescence
Australia’s unique GSM-R specification and a sector-wide push to deploy ETCS across a diverse set of rail networks is spurring interest in rapid adoption of FRMCS. Nick Kingsley reports.
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NewsContract to fit out and operate Melbourne’s Suburban Loop awarded
AUSTRALIA: Project promoter Suburban Rail Loop Authority has awarded a A$6·7bn Linewide contract package to supply rolling stock, fit out and then operate the Suburban Rail Loop East in Melbourne.
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NewsMelbourne Metro Tunnel opens with a celebration and free travel
AUSTRALIA: Limited revenue services started through Melbourne’s 9 km Metro Tunnel with a ceremony on November 30, attended by Premier of the Sate of Victoria Jacinta Allan and state Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams.
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NewsBritish Steel wins Turkish and Australian export orders
INTERNATIONAL: British Steel has won orders to export rail from its Scunthorpe steelworks to Turkey and steel sleepers to Australia.
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In depthAustralia: Untangling Sydney’s complex suburban network
Sydney Trains is managing a long-term fleet renewal programme while deploying ETCS and reshaping its network to complement the expansion of the city’s metro. Chief Executive Matt Longland outlines to Benjámin Zelki how these competing priorities are being delivered.
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NewsItalian company to acquire Australian railway contractor
AUSTRALIA: Italian railway construction company Salcef has agreed to acquire Pilbara Rail Maintenance.
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In depthAustralia: Melbourne’s Suburban Loop reaches lift-off
Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop is ultimately expected to add 90 km of 1 435 mm gauge automated rail service to the city’s rail mix, but project promoter SRLA is currently focusing on delivering the first 26 km section. Benjámin Zelki reports.
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NewsDiesel locomotive battery tender to be tested in Western Australia
AUSTRALIA: Freight operator Aurizon is to trial the use of a Battery Electric Tender intended to reduce emissions from heavy haul rail operations.
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NewsBHP battery locos delivered to the Pilbara
AUSTRALIA: Mining company BHP has taken delivery of its first purpose-built battery-electric heavy haul locomotives for trials between its Pilbara iron ore mines and Port Hedland.
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In depthAustralia: Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel poised to reshape city connectivity
The opening of Melbourne’s cross-city tunnel for revenue operation paves the way for a network-wide timetable change in February, which will reshape the Sunbury – Cranbourne/Pakenham axis and release capacity for additional services on other suburban lines. Benjámin Zelki investigates.
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NewsMelbourne’s first G Class tram arrives at purpose-built depot
AUSTRALIA: Victoria’s Minister for Public & Active Transport Gabrielle Williams has officially opened the depot in Melbourne where Alstom will maintain 100 G Class trams which it is supplying for the world’s largest tram network.
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NewsPerth’s modernised Armadale Line extended to Byford
AUSTRALIA: Celebrations marked the reopening of the full length of Perth’s Armadale Line following an extensive modernisation and the extension of Transperth suburban services to the fast-growing residential area of Byford.