After more than 100 hours of round-the-clock activity, Inland Rail has completed a gruelling schedule of work which puts the Stockinbingal to Parkes section well on the path towards completion.
Starting last Saturday, September 13, at 6am and finishing, Thursday September 19 at 10am, teams from Inland Rail and principal contractor Martinus Rail completed work at four key sites during a 100-hour shut down of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) line from Forbes to Goobang Junction.
To get this work finished on time, up to 240 rail workers across the four sites completed shifts which began ahead of the shutdown and finished after the line reopened.
A crossing loop at Daroobalgie, north of Forbes – a short length of line which will enable two trains to pass each other – received new turnouts, earthworks were completed, while drainage and ballast were installed in preparation for the secondary track build of the loop.
At Wyndham Avenue, Forbes, the existing track under the road bridge was lowered by two metres to create increased vertical clearance for double-stacked freight trains. Using more than 500 sleepers and 1000 tonnes of stone ballast, a length of track 320 metres long was rebuilt following the removal of the bulk excavation under the road bridge between the recently completed bridge protection structures.
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The awning at Forbes Station was trimmed by 300mm to enable the safe passing of double-stacked freight trains and the track was slewed laterally by more than half a metre, while scaffolding was installed at the Lachlan River Bridge ahead of bridge modifications that will take place in the coming weeks.
A 30-metre exclusion zone was enforced at the bridge due to the nature of the work, while environmental controls ensured protection of the waterway and riverbanks.
James Kennedy, Delivery Director, Albury to Parkes (A2P), Inland Rail, said the work carried out during the week could only be done safely when the line was closed.
“Safety is our highest priority and so we make the most of the two available track possessions which take place each year," he said.
“To do that we undertake rigorous and methodical planning, working hand in hand with Martinus Rail, to ensure we complete our work and return the line to the operators on time.
“I would like to congratulate all those who were involved in the planning and safe execution of this successful possession, which will ensure we stay on schedule to deliver Inland Rail South of Parkes by the end of 2027.
“I would also like to thank the community for their patience and understanding while we carried out these construction tasks.”
Treaven Martinus, Martinus Rail CEO and founder, said the successful completion was testament to the dedication and planning of both Inland Rail and Martinus teams.
“Across multiple locations, from the installation of turnouts to extensive earthworks and track formation reconstruction, every task was executed with safety and efficiency as our top priorities," he said.
“We are grateful for the community’s support and patience, which have been essential to our efforts.
“Martinus remains steadfast in our mission to deliver this landmark project safely, effectively, and with a focus on creating lasting value for Australia’s future.”
