199611 – Edwards – Introduction and Installation of Grade Crossing Predictors in AN Tasrail

With over 700 km of track and 142 active level crossings AN Tasrail is a narrow gauge (1067 mm) freight only railway system.

The systems ruling grades are 1 in 40 gradient and the sharpest curves are 100 metre radius.@ chain)

From its beginning (Launceston and Western Railway) in 1 87 1 up until 1975 when Australian National Railways (A.N.R.) took over the Tasmanian Government Railways (T.G.R.) the system had a predominantly British influence in respect to signalling.

With the takeover of T.G.R. by A.N.R. the system was under the influence of the South Australian Signalling practise.

From the time of takeover till just recently numerous negotiations between State and Federal Governments and Australian National Railways led to the allocation of funding for the upgrade of 44 level crossings in AN Tasrail.

Once the funding was allocated in December 94 an action plan was developed and tenders were called signalling the start of the project.