Technical Meeting Paper
198503 – Evans – Introduction to Technical Papers on Axle Counters for Proving Block Sections & Related Fibre Optic Cable Technology in CTC Territory for Main Line Electrification
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As a prelude to the two individual papers to be presented on signalling and telecommunications, it is considered appropriate that the parameters associated with electrification within Queensland Railways, be broadly described to avoid duplication in basic discussion areas by the following speakers.
Brief reference will therefore be made to the Brisbane suburban system, the first section of which has been in operation since November 1979 with the system still being extended.
The overhead is a 25kV AC system with booster transformers and return conductors.
Track circuits are DC/AC immune single rail, with the whole of the system being remotely controlled from the Nayne Control Centre. The operating diagram incorporates a train describer system.
The pulse coded modulation transmission system is operated over an aluminium sheathed copper cable except for a recently installed section of optical fibre cable.
A U.H.F. radio system provides communication between Mayne Control Centre and the electric multiple units.
Electric locomotives do not operate over the Brisbane suburban system.
This is indeed a very brief description but the main subject is relative to main line electrification which refers to the area between Gladstone – Rockhampton and the coal lines in the Blackwater area and known as Stage I of the project, and the section between the ports of Hay Point and Dalrymple to the coal lines in the Goonyella area and known as Stage 11.
The enclosed map illustrates the areas referred to as Main Line Electrification.
The apparently gone but not forgotten fuel energy crisis showed the need for an investigation into the viability of electrification in order to reduce the need for diesel fuels.
This investigation showed that from all aspects such as environmental, social, economic, technical etc. that main line electrification was clearly a viable proposition.