Rail line closed for track works impacting Narrabri and Moree

The Australian Rail Track Corporation is carrying out essential works on the Hunter Valley network, impacting rail services to Narrabri and Moree.

Works are occurring between Kooragang, Maitland and Gunnedah and between Ulan and Turrawan.

The essential track maintenance will maintain high safety and reliability standards, ARTC said when announcing the temporary closure of parts of the rail corridor.

During the maintenance works, the line will be closed from 6:30am on Tuesday, February 6 to 6:30pm on Friday, February 9.

The shutdown, which is part of ARTC’s annual maintenance program, will see more than 130 jobs and approximately 1200 staff and contractors mobilised to complete essential work which will keep the network running safely and efficiently.

Works will include ballast cleaning, culvert replacement works, track rail grinding at multiple locations, upgrades to signalling systems and track reconditioning work.

ARTC crews will minimise the impact of the work wherever possible, including positioning light towers to shine away from residences, watering down work areas and limiting the number of machines operating at any one time.

Coaches will replace NSW TrainLink services during the trackwork period.

ARTC has reminded motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant for altered traffic conditions near the rail corridor and to obey all road rules at level crossings, with rail machinery and other movements still occurring on the rail line.

Clinton Crump, acting group executive, ARTC Hunter Valley Network, said the rail network requires regular maintenance to ensure that it continues to play a pivotal role in supporting vital links to the region’s economic supply chain.

“These works are essential to maintain a high standard of safety and reliability,” he said.