Eastern Goldfields Railway signalling upgrade completed

Arc Infrastructure, the manager of the rail freight network in Western Australia, has completed its largest railway signalling upgrade with the commissioning of the Eastern Goldfields Railway (EGR) Signalling Upgrade Project, marking the end of a seven-year, multi-team project for the business.

Spanning more than 300 km of the Arc network from Seabrook near Northam to Koolyanobbing East in the Goldfields, the scope of works has seen a substantial advancement in the signalling technology utilised along this section of the EGR.

The $37 million project began with initial scoping in 2018, with works commencing in 2020. Over the past five years, the various teams involved have sought to execute the project to the highest safety standards, while minimising disruptions to train operations and Arc’s customers.

Arc’s General Manager Network Strategy and Customer Operations, Paul Lowney, said the extensive package of works has improved safety, reliability and efficiency along a vast section of the EGR.

“Through a number of technology upgrades, Arc teams have been able to address reliability and safety issues in the signalling, electrical, communication and level crossing systems across two signalling regions,” he said.

“By enhancing the efficiency of this section of the network through the signalling upgrade project, Arc has invested in providing a more resilient freight rail network.”

Over the five-year period of works, Arc’s Major Projects and Signalling Engineering teams, assisted by various other internal teams, achieved the following:

• Replaced old track circuit technology, resulting in more reliable detection of trains and a lower number of signalling assets.
• Removed 300 km of overhead signalling cable redirecting the functionality through existing optic fibre cables.
• Improved the accuracy of train detection by installing axle counters (a sensor that supplies information about whether a particular section of track is clear or occupied).
• Integrated broken rail detection capability to enhance network safety.
• Upgraded 40 railway crossings for improved operational safety.
• Removed 300 km of overhead powerlines with powered installations converted to solar power supplies — a transition which will not only enhance the safety of the community (by way of removing potential ignition sources of bushfires) but also promote environmental sustainability by harnessing renewable energy.
• Replacement of ground surface cabling with underground cable routes.
   

“Since the upgrade has been completed, the number of signalling faults has reduced dramatically on this stretch of the EGR,” said Arc’s Head of Asset Management, Michal Golinski.

“Additionally, the project involved the replacement of searchlight signals with LED signals, which improves visibility for the drivers.”

Arc’s Head of Major Projects, Sudip Saha, said the project has been one that has involved numerous teams across the business since project scoping began to final commissioning. It has also enabled the development of Arc’s internal capability, with the Signalling Construction team initially created to deliver this project now working on a number of other capital projects across the Arc network.

Image credit: Arc Infrastructure.