197908 – Winters – Communication Aspects of the Kwinana – Koolynobbing Rehabilitation Project

Upgrading of communication facilities is being carried out in conjunction with the major track rehabilitation project on the Kwinana – Koolyanobbing section of the East-West interstate route. A description is provided of existing communication services and the consolidation necessary to meet the operational and administrative needs for the next ten years. Three types of new constructions were investigated: aerial, cable and microwave. Cable was the most suitable for the section Perth to Northam (120Km) as a major route reconstruction was required. Aerial was the lowest first cost for the sections between Northam and Kaolyanobbing (334Km). Radio is to be provided on existing aerials Northam, Merredin and Kaolyanobbing with one channel for operating traffic (train – controller) and one for service traffic (maintenance – controller).

A V120 carrier system on a single quad carrier cable bearer was chosen for the Perth – Northam section with cable to be ploughed directly into the formation between the up and down main lines.