Australia railway news
News about railway and urban rail infrastructure, operations, policy, projects and the supply industry in Australia.
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NewsWestern Australia produced iron ore wagon rolled out
AUSTRALIA: Gemco Rail and supply partner CRRC Qiqihar Railway Rolling Stock have delivered the first of 100 iron order wagons which are to be produced in Western Australia for Rio Tinto.
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NewsAustralian turnout plant opened
AUSTRALIA: Vossloh has opened a plant at Bendigo in Victoria to produce switches and components for projects in the south and east of Australia.
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NewsTransport for NSW and Network Rail to collaborate
INTERNATIONAL: Australia’s Transport for New South Wales and British infrastructure manager Network Rail have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding to co-operate to develop rail technology, improve reliability and drive sustainability. The MoU focuses on four areas: Sustainability & Net Zero Carbon: reducing emissions and ...
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NewsSugar cane company orders hybrid narrow gauge locos
AUSTRALIA: Mackay Sugar has awarded British company Clayton Equipment a contract to supply five diesel-battery hybrid locomotives and radio-controlled brake vans for use on its vast 610 mm gauge rail network in Queensland. Mackay Sugar’s fleet of 34 locomotives and 6 600 wagons — known as ...
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Metro Report InternationalCanberra light rail extension construction launched
AUSTRALIA: Tramway PPP concessionaire Canberra Metro has begin construction of the light rail Stage 2A extension to Commonwealth Park. The A$577m project is being jointly funded by the national government and the Australian Capital Territory. It includes 1·7 km of new route from Alinga Street, with ...
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NewsAdelaide train services return to the public sector
AUSTRALIA: The government of South Australia has taken the operation of suburban passenger train services in Adelaide back into the public sector, ending the contract with Keolis Downer. Tram operations are to follow. The KDA joint venture of Keolis and Downer has run the rail services ...
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Metro Report InternationalParramatta light rail line opens in western Sydney
AUSTRALIA: The L4 light rail line serving Parramatta in western Sydney opened on December 20, with simultaneous first departures from the Westmead and Carlingford termini at 05.00. The 12 km line serves destinations including the Westmead Health Precinct, CommBank Stadium — home of the National Rugby ...
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NewsKey Inland Rail link in New South Wales approved
AUSTRALIA: The Australian government gave final approval on November 5 for construction of a 39 km rail link in New South Wales to take Inland Rail from Illabo to Stockinbingal. The new alignment will bypass Cootamundra and Bethungra, where ARTC’s existing Main South Line follows a ...
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Metro Report InternationalMetro Trains Melbourne invests in facilities for female staff
AUSTRALIA: Metro Trains Melbourne is investing A$1m in toilets, showers and changing rooms to accommodate the increasing number of women in its workforce. Minister for Public & Active Transport Gabrielle Williams said this ‘demonstrates a commitment to recruiting more women into the railways, taking up fulfilling, ...
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NewsReport calls for harmonisation of standards across Australia’s 29 rail networks
Establishing consistent national standards for the rail industry could save billions of dollars by supporting a more efficient, safer and productive industry, according to a new report.
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NewsSIL4-compliant solid state relays
INNOTRANS: Australian supplier Selectrail has launched a range of SIL4-compliant solid-state relays while undertaking live pre-approval trials of the technology in the UK with Network Rail. The company says its SELECTiQ relays represent a world-first in railway technology. Unlike traditional electromechanical relays, solid state technology offers ...
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NewsFortescue and Downer to develop heavy-haul battery loco design
AUSTRALIA: Fortescue Zero and rolling stock supplier Downer have announced plans to develop what they promise will be the world’s most energy-efficient battery electric locomotive. The partnership announced at InnoTrans in Berlin on September 25 is intended to develop what the companies call ‘an innovative zero ...
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Metro Report InternationalJohn Holland wins Parramatta tramway bridge contract
AUSTRALIA: John Holland has been awarded a A$322m contract to build a 1·3 km section of Stage 2 of the Parramatta Light Rail project in west Sydney, covering a 320m bridge and its approaches. Design and preliminary work will start later this year with major construction ...
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NewsPort Adelaide’s Port Dock station reopens after 43 years
AUSTRALIA: Port Dock station on a spur from the Outer Harbor line in central Port Adelaide has reopened after 43 years.
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Metro Report InternationalInvestor increases stake in Sydney light rail PPP concessionaire
AUSTRALIA: John Laing Group has agreed to acquire pension investor Aware Super’s 62·5% stake in Sydney light rail finance, design, build and operating PPP concessionaire ALTRAC. The deal is expected to complete by the end of Q4, taking John Laing’s stake from 32·5% to 95%. The ...
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NewsManufacturing skills centre to develop rail industry capabilities
AUSTRALIA: The development of local rolling stock manufacturing skills forms a central part of a A$7·1m Manufacturing Centre of Excellence training facility which is to be developed in Maryborough in Queensland. Announcing plans for the centre on August 28, the state government said it would provide ...
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NewsEnhanced passenger information system ordered for Queensland EMUs
AUSTRALIA: Singapore-based ST Engineering’s Urban Solutions business is to provide an enhanced version of its AGIL passenger information system for the 65 six-car electric multiple-units that Downer is to supply under the Queensland Train Manufacturing Programme. ‘In addition to strengthening our presence in Australia, this contract ...
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NewsPractical recommendations to support women in the rail sector
Source: ARTC AUSTRALASIA: The Australasian Railway Association has published a report designed to help the rail industry better understand what hinders the entry, retention and progression of women, with 10 practical recommendations. The Progressing gender equality in the Australasian rail sector: barriers and supportive practices report ...
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NewsMock-up aims to ensure Queensland trains are accessible to all
AUSTRALIA: A mock-up built by Allweld Manufacturing is being used to gather feedback from future users including train drivers, people with reduced mobility and cyclists to ensure that a future fleet of electric multiple-units will be accessible for all. In 2023 Downer beat CAF and Alstom ...
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Metro Report InternationalSydney metro extension opening boosts cross-harbour transport capacity
AUSTRALIA: An extension of the Sydney Metro running beneath the harbour to the Central Business District and Sydenham opened on August 19.
