Dual Gauge Forrestfield
Kim Hazelgrove (azltech@iinet.net.au)
Mon, 07 Jul 1997 23:10:22 +0800
Sat 5 July 1997, first train through on the new dual gauge mainline at
Forrestfield, WA.
Forrestfield is the main Perth Marshalling Yards. Previously east side
was standard gauge, the middle locos and adminsitration, and the west
was narrow gauge. At the southern end, the narrow gauge joined the dual
track standard gauge by way of the Kewdale Flyover. With the demise of
general freight and the increase of block trains, the narrow gauge has
all but ceased to be. The Narrow Gauge Shunter, 1NG, which worked the
local sidings ceased last week.
The new dual track, dual gauge main runs a few metres east of the
standard gauge arrival/departure tracks. The southern end, which affords
links to Kwinana & Fremantle (ports) and the Interstate Freight Terminal
at Kewdale, currently is single track for several hundred metres. This
will soon be dual, meaning dual gauge, dual line form the Y junction at
the ports through to Northam (90km from Perth), thus by-passing the need
for the marshalling yard.
Following the shift of control of the line (Northam to the Y junction)
from Midland Signal Cabin to the Central Perth Control Centre last
Tuesday (1 July) and the subsequent closure of the cabin, yet another
nail is being driven into the coffin of Westrail and the System. So
there will follow Forrestfield Signal Cabin.
No loss of jobs?? The Control Centre is for staff officers only, the
signal cabins are for signalmen only, n'er the twain shall meet. This
means that the personnel in control of the trains have no practical
control experience, nor do they have intimate knowledge of the trains
under their control. (Did someone mention Hines Hill????)
Further, the ballast train 079/080 from the quarry in the hills has also
ceased this last week. Believe it or not, the ballast for the RAILWAY is
being transported to the railway depot by TRUCK. Further disbelief can
only be attributed to the latest decision of ceasing to rail SLEEPERS
from the timber area in the south-west (Westrail's bread and butter
area) and to again award the contract to TRUCK operations. Oh great,
another series of big, heavy trucks on the one-lane highway through the
hills from the south.
Sheer bloody genius.
'tis a sad but historical occaision.
Kimbo