Australia railway news – Page 2
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Metro Report InternationalYarra Trams deploys navigation technology for visually impaired passengers
AUSTRALIA: The NaviLens mobile app and codes are being rolled out to assist blind and low-vision passengers to travel independently on Melbourne’s Yarra Trams network. The codes, which look like brightly coloured QR patterns, are initially being installed at every stop on Route 96 as well ...
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NewsNSW TrainLink booking system contract awarded
AUSTRALIA: Transport for New South Wales has commissioned Estonian company Turnit and its local partner Spiketech to supply a replacement booking system for NSW TrainLink long-distance services. This will provide an end-to-end digital platform to plan, book and pay for regional train and coach services used ...
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Metro Report InternationalSydney rail to metro conversion confirmed
AUSTRALIA: The New South Wales government has committed to completing the conversion of Sydney’s T3 Bankstown Line from a suburban railway to an automated metro, as the final section of the City & Southwest Metro project. When the current state government was elected in March, it ...
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NewsDedicated ARTC subsidiary to lead Inland Rail project
AUSTRALIA: Infrastructure manager Australian Rail Track Corp has established a dedicated subsidiary to take responsibility for the 1 700 km Inland Rail freight corridor linking Melbourne and Brisbane, following a highly critical review of the project. Announcing the restructuring on July 7, federal Minister for Infrastructure, ...
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NewsInnovation Council appointed to grow Australian rail supply sector
AUSTRALIA: The federal government has appointed a Rail Industry Innovation Council tasked with streamlining practices to increase domestic manufacturing as part of the National Rail Manufacturing Plan. The council is chaired by Jacqui Walters, who has been appointed as Rail Manufacturing Advocate with the aim of ...
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NewsThe Overland to continue for a further three years
AUSTRALIA: The Victoria state government has agreed an A$11·5m three-year package to support the operation of The Overland long-distance passenger trains.
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News‘Over and back’ speeds Brisbane ETCS testing
AUSTRALIA: Hitachi Rail has adopted ‘over and back’ switching principles to speed up the testing of digital train control systems being installed on the southeast Queensland rail network. ETCS Level 2 operation is being introduced in conjunction with Brisbane’s Cross River Rail project, which will see ...
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NewsDowner picks Hyundai Rotem to support delivery of Queensland EMU fleet
AUSTRALIA: Downer has formed a consortium with Hyundai Rotem to build, commission and maintain 65 six-car 1 067 mm gauge electric multiple-units for Queensland. The Queensland government had selected Downer in February as the preferred bidder over CAF and Alstom for the A$4·6bn contract, which is ...
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NewsAustralian grain shipper orders locos and wagons in growth drive
AUSTRALIA: Western Australian grain co-operative CBH Group announced an agreement to buy 17 Wabtec 1 067 mm gauge diesel locomotives on June 29, and the following day placed an order for CRRC Meishan to supply 200 standard gauge and 450 narrow gauge hopper wagons. The orders ...
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Metro Report InternationalIoT tools monitor tramway pointwork and track temperature
AUSTRALIA: Melbourne operator Yarra Trams has completed the deployment of IoT-based condition monitoring tools to support preventive maintenance of points and to mitigate the effects of hot weather on its tracks. YT has installed Queensland-based IoT technology company Kallipr’s Captis Pulse Lite and Captis Pit Monitoring ...
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NewsPilbara iron ore wagon manufacturing agreement
AUSTRALIA: An agreement to manufacture iron ore wagons in the Pilbara region has been announced by Rio Tinto and Gemco Rail, supported by supply partner Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock and the government of Western Australia. The mining company is expecting to spend a total of ...
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NewsBattery freight locomotive conversion underway
AUSTRALIA: One of Aurizon’s Class 4000 diesel locomotives is being converted to a prototype EMD Joule battery powered heavy-haul freight loco which can be charged using renewable electricity and capture regenerated energy when braking or travelling downhill. The operator said the prototype will be ’a measured ...
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Metro Report InternationalBank card payment in next Victoria Myki ticketing contract
AUSTRALIA: Conduent Business Services and its partner Convergint have been awarded a contract to operate Victoria’s Myki public transport ticketing system for 15 years from December 1 2023.
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In depthComment: Cost control must improve
Australia’s Inland Rail programme is the latest megaproject to face major cost control challenges, reflecting a wider problem for promoters of major infrastructure schemes. The case for developing railways is arguably more compelling than ever, but the industry must offer realistic proposals which can be put into practice cost-effectively, believes our Executive Editor Nick Kingsley.
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NewsStudy finds batteries and hydrogen could replace diesel locos on heavy freight trains
AUSTRALIA: Batteries or a combination of batteries and hydrogen fuel cells could feasibly replace diesel traction on rail freight corridors across Australia, according to a study undertaken by the University of Queensland and operator Aurizon. Researchers analysised real-world data to assess the energy required to transport ...
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NewsWork in Rail highlights career opportunities
AUSTRALIA: The Australasian Railway Association has launched a Work in Rail campaign to highlight career opportunities in the sector. A Work in Rail website showcases 80 different careers, outlining each role as well as training and education pathways, salaries and providing links to current vacancies. The ...
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Metro Report InternationalMelbourne suburban contract extended as tunnel tracklaying completed
AUSTRALIA: Tracklaying in Melbourne’s cross-city Metro Tunnel has been completed.
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NewsIndependent review criticises delivery of Inland Rail scheme
AUSTRALIA: The final cost and delivery plan for the Inland Rail scheme remain unclear, according to a scathing independent review of its governance issued on April 6.
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NewsSouth Australia to take back Adelaide suburban operations
AUSTRALIA: Keolis Downer has reached agreement with the state government of South Australia to hand back the operation of the Adelaide suburban rail network progressively from January 2025.
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NewsInland Rail to use solar powered signalling
AUSTRALIA: The use of solar powered signalling on the Inland Rail project has been approved by Australian Rail Track Corp following a trial on a passing loop at Coolleearlee in New South Wales. This will eliminate the need to use the local power supply infrastructure or ...