Australian Rail Track Corporation
PO Box 10343 Gouger Street Adelaide,
SA 5001
T 08 8217 4367
F 08 8217 4578
2 December 2001 no embargo
VICTORIAN INTERSTATE RAIL - NOW UP TO SPEED
From midnight Sunday a significant step will be
taken by Australian Rail Track Corporation
(ARTC) in providing uniformity across Australia's interstate
rail network. An increase in the maximum
allowable limits for axle loads and speeds on Victorian
sections of the interstate network means that rail freight operators
will benefit from improved reliability and transit times on major interstate
rail corridors.
These increases will bring all interstate tracks in Victoria up to speed and
provide a uniform set of standards for wagon axle
loads and train speeds across the ARTC
managed network from Albury through to Kalgoorlie and from Broken
Hill to Port Augusta.
ARTC Managing Director, David Marchant said, "A major thrust of rail
industry reform has been the need to achieve greater
uniformity across the interstate rail
network. The changes to allowable limits implemented this weekend
are a major step in achieving this goal." "Train
operators will benefit from greater consistency and certainty when planning
rail operations over the ARTC network. They will only have to deal with
one set of standards for wagonloads and speeds over 3600 kilometres of the
interstate rail network in Victoria and South Australia."
The new limits have been made possible through a targeted two-year program
of ARTC and Commonwealth funded track infrastructure
upgrades. A major project in Victoria was the
recently completed $30 million upgrade of the North
East rail corridor between Melbourne and Albury. This has been awarded the
prestigious National Transport Outcomes Award for transport achievement and
innovation.
From midnight 30 November 2001 the following standards for axle loads and
speeds will apply across the ARTC Victorian network
and which already apply to the remainder of
the ARTC network. · 23 tonne axle load for
'standard' train class services at 80 Km/h ·
21 tonne axle load for 'high' train class services at 110 Km/h ·
20 tonne axle load for 'premium' train class services at 115 Km/h.
When ARTC took over the Victorian interstate track 3 years ago, the maximum
axle load was 19 tonnes and speeds for most train
services were limited in many places to 80
Km/h. These new limits are in line with the
Australian Transport Council (ATC) standards
laid down by Federal and State Transport Ministers for the interstate
rail network.
Previously, up to 20% of the Victorian interstate track was under some form
of temporary speed restriction. Under ARTC
management this figure is now consistently
below the ARTC standard of 2%.
David Marchant concluded by saying, "The interstate track in Victoria is
now able to carry heavier loads at higher
speeds with greater reliability and safety.
This combined with improved track reliability will enable train operators
to offer more competitive rail freight services on key interstate freight
corridors."
"If the cost-effective and sound engineering practices that have been
applied in Victoria can be undertaken between Albury
and Sydney, then rail will be in a position
to reverse the decline in traffic levels and gain back traffic
lost to road on the strategic Melbourne to Sydney freight corridor."
"Through the provision of greater reliability, reduced transit times and
increased network capacity, rail is showing that in
can deliver a competitive and attractive
alternative to road transport."
For Further Information Contact: David Marchant on 0419 733 201 www.artc.com.au
ARTC provides equitable access for train operators to its network on a non-discriminatory basis. ARTC's aim is to ensure business and industry are being provided with efficient transport options for the future and that rail remains an essential and sustainable element of the Nation's transport and logistics network Over the last three years, an extensive program of infrastructure upgrades funded by ARTC and the Commonwealth Government combined with more effective management of train operations has resulted in increased reliability and capacity across the ARTC network.
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