There is significant constraint on freight movement between Sydney and Brisbane on the North Coast Railway Line via Coffs Harbour. Freight movement is limited due to the line being single track between Maitland and Brisbane, which means that the number of trains is dependent on the length and number of crossing loops.
This problem could be solved by duplicating the line from Maitland to Brisbane for the entire 780kms. This would be a costly project and take many years to complete. There is an alternative that would be initially lower cost and relatively quicker to implement.
The GNR (also called Main North Line), from Armidale to the NSW/QLD border is currently out of use and rebuilding the line to connect with the Inland Rail project, would provide an additional rail connection between Sydney and Brisbane. Freight train operations could be simplified by running the majority of northbound trains via Tamworth and the majority of southbound trains via Coffs Harbour.
Of course, ancillary works would be required initially for this proposal to be feasible. Additional passing loops, up to 2kms long, may need to be built on the existing line between Muswellbrook and Armidale and existing passing loops lengthened to accommodate interstate freight trains.
The implementation of works to complete our proposal would be carried-out in the following order:
1/ instigate all planning and geo-technical surveys that would be required for rebuilding the line from Armidale to Wallangarra and on to the junction of the Inland Freight Line Project at Gowrie, north of Toowoomba.
2/ Consult with all stakeholders along the route to determine any changes in route that may be required and quantify the benefits that the re-building of the line would offer to the people in the New England area of NSW.
3/ Produce the EIS that would be required for approval of the project and obtain all necessary approvals.
4/ Carry-out all civil works that will be required, lay track and install all control systems. The re-built GNR line from Armidale to Wallangarra would be standard gauge only however, from Wallangarra to Gowrie, the track would be dual gauge. This would be necessary to retain Wallangarra’s connection with Queensland’s rail network and to connect with the Inland Rail Project, which will also be dual gauge from Gowrie to Brisbane.
5/ Build the additional passing loops and lengthen existing loops between Muswellbrook and Armidale. This would be done con-currently with stage 4.
Benefits that this project would provide:
1/ Double the capacity for rail freight between Sydney and Brisbane.
2/ Provide access to the Port of Brisbane by primary producers from the Upper Hunter and along the route of the line to north of the NSW/QLD border.
3/ Provide access to the Port of Brisbane by manufactures from the Upper Hunter and along the route of the line to north of the NSW/QLD border.
4/ Provide access to the Port of Brisbane by mining companies located from the Upper Hunter and along the route of the line to north of the NSW/QLD border.
5/ Provide access to the ports of both Newcastle and Botant Bay for industries mentioned in points 2 to 5.
6/ Provide opportunities for restored passenger services north of Armidale to Wallangarra, Toowoomba and on to Brisbane.
7/ Provide opportunities for better passenger services from north of Armidale to Newcastle and Sydney.
8/ Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by transferring more freight to rail and encouraging more passenger journeys to rail.
Future possible improvements to the Main North Railway:
1/ Duplication of the line from Muswellbrook to Tamworth.
2/ Electrification from Newcastle to Tamworth.
3/ Straightening the line where deviations and gradients were designed for steam haulage of trains.
4/ Connecting an electrified line to Tamworth to a future East Coast High Speed Rail Line.
Colin Schroeder
EcoTransit Sydney
22-apr-2022
