REGISTER

GC Lawson BSc(Eng)

Project Manager, DML Engineering Pty Ltd

C Sagar

State Rail Authority of NSW

In the mid 70's a study of Main Line Upgrading "Evaluation of a Range of Options for the Melbourne - Sydney Rail Link" was completed by the Bureau of Transport Economics, the study was initiated by the N.S.W. Public Transport Commission.

The Bureau examined the single line portion of the Melbourne - Sydney rail link between Junee and Albury. The growing congestion problem along the track was investigated and a range of upgrading options evaluated, including centralised traffic control, selective line doubling and additional crossing loops on sections where the existing loops are widely spaced. The single track portion between Junee and Albury had evenly spaced, relatively short mechanically controlled crossing loops, and the longer freight trains could not fit into many of the loops, thus reducing the line capacity. By lengthening all existing loops between Bomen and Table Top to 915 metres the line capacity could be considerably increased. However, since loops of this length (915 metres) can no longer be controlled mechanically, the introduction of power signalling becomes essential and for "little" extra cost the power controlled signals and points can be operated from a centralpoint.

The Bureau of Transport Economics concluded that the simplest way of upgrading the Junee - Albury portion of this line was to extend all crossing loops and introduce Centralised Traffic Control.