GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

Safety regulation of heritage operators

In November 2007, the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator (ITSRR) released a discussion paper on safety regulation of heritage railway operations which proposed a number of strategies to help heritage railway operators meet their rail safety obligations. ITSRR has reviewed the 17 submissions received in response to the discussion paper. A table outlining the comments received and ITSRR’s responses can now be viewed on ITSRR’s website.

ITSRR publishes The Regulator

A rail safety legislation update, drug and alcohol training for the rail industry, the Rail Safety Strategic Forum and the appointment of ITSRR’s new Executive Director of Rail Safety Regulation are some of the stories in ITSRR’s recently published quarterly newsletter, The Regulator. Other articles in this edition include a Waterfall update, ITSRR’s Corporate Plan priorities and initiatives to help heritage operators.

V/Line in vogue with increased services

More people are travelling on the regional rail network than ever before with V/Line passenger numbers passing the one million mark for the first time. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the figures further demonstrated that the Victorian Government’s plan to boost regional rail links was paying off. “The Brumby (Victorian) Government is taking action to improve regional and rural transport links and I am absolutely thrilled with these results,” Ms Kosky said. “We have worked hard to improve regional train services, adding more than 400 extra services a week and passengers are jumping on board.”

Heath Street crossing upgraded

A $490,000 upgrade to the level crossing at Heath Street, Ararat, is complete, significantly improving safety for motorists. Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said the Heath Street level crossing had been upgraded to boost its safety features as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to improving level crossings across Victoria. “The upgraded level crossing now features flashing warning lights, warning bells using state-of-the-art technology and new signage,” Ms Kosky said.

INDUSTRY

Extension of Willow Tree crossing loop

Another milestone has been reached in meeting future demand for Hunter Valley coal with the completion of the extension of the Willow Tree crossing loop on the rail line between Muswellbrook and Werris Creek by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC). The loop extension is the first step in enabling significant growth from the Gunnedah region through an increase in train length from 42 wagons up to 72 wagons. The adoption of longer trains reduces above rail operating costs and enables more coal to be transported in a more cost effective manner with fewer trains. The ARTC has also completed stage 4 installation of the Centralised Traffic Control (CTC) system on the Muswellbrook to Gulgong line. The new signal technology will remove an infrastructure bottleneck by replacing the old Electric Train Staff (ETS) mechanism.

Upgrade between Gunning and Oolong

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has invested in the main south rail line between Gunning and Oolong with the upgrade of two bridges across Oolong creek. Upgrading the bridges involved installing over 100 brand new timber transoms on each bridge in place of older transoms, as well as general structure upgrades and the construction of a safety walkway for inspecting the bridges. Replacing the existing transoms will ensure a more consistent and smoother ride for trains using the bridge which in turn means a more comfortable ride for CountryLink passengers.

ACCIDENTS

Trolley driver dies following collision

A horrific rush-hour collision between two MBTA Green Line trains has killed a train operator and left several passengers hurt, officials and witnesses said. The trolleys (trains) collided at Woodland Station in Newton, Boston, with one train slamming into the back of another one that was stopped at a red light just east of the station. The impact caused the rail cars to crumple like tin cans as helpless passengers were knocked over and thrown from their seats, according to one witness. “It sounded like a huge, huge crash, an explosion,” said Joyce Friedman, who lives near the crash scene.