Upgrades to the freight network in Victoria’s north-west are continuing as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project, with track recently installed for important passing loops to provide greater network flexibility.
Track works were completed earlier this year at Elmhurst, with more than 2,000 metres of rail and 7,000 tonnes of ballast installed for track and turnouts to connect the 900-metre loop to the main rail line.
Drainage and signalling works are continuing at the site before the loop is operational later this year.
At Tourello, track and turnouts have also been installed to re-establish a 960-metre passing loop on the Maryborough Line, including 5,650 tonnes of ballast, 1,600 sleepers and 1,950 metres of rail.
The loop will accommodate 52-wagon grain trains and create an important passing point for passenger and freight trains once operational.
The new loops at Tourello and Elmhurst are among three being delivered by the project, to allow more options for trains to pass each other on the freight network, with work on a passing loop extension at Emu to begin later this year
Site investigations, design work and planning approvals are continuing on further upgrades, including signalling upgrades at the Ouyen and Maryborough yards and a mobile refuelling station at Ouyen.
Learn more about the Murray Basin Rail Project.
See below the work completed on the project over the last 12 months, including track upgrades on the Ararat to Maryborough Line to increase freight capacity for all wagons to 21-tonne axle loading, and siding upgrades at Merbein and Donald.