New signalling technology is being installed on the Sunshine Coast rail line which will lay the groundwork for introducing the “next generation” of modern trains.
The $45 million signalling project is described as an “autopilot” system which can “take over” control of the train from the driver and improve safety.
It comes as work is expected to start later this year on the Sunshine Coast Rail Duplication, duplicating 20km between Beerburrum and Landsborough and upgrades to Nambour.
The first phase of the $550million duplication project will include a realignment of sections of Steve Irwin Way and the installation of Park and Ride facilities at Nambour and Landsborough.
Work on the signalling project started at Gympie and is now focussed on the Nambour area as the project continues towards Caboolture.
Construction leader Ben Cue, from Rail Control Systems which is leading the project, said the signalling technology was like an autopilot for trains which could read and react to problems along the line.
About 60 workers are involved in rolling out the European Train Control System (ETCS) level one technology.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said 130 signal equipment cubicles would be upgraded and 43 new equipment cubicles installed over 120 kilometres of track.
Mr Bailey said the project was not only supporting local jobs, it was also gearing up the North Coast rail line for improved services between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane ahead of Cross River Rail opening in 2025.
“Installing ETCS technology on the line means we’ll be able to put the newer NGR (Next Generation Rollingstock) class trains into services up to Gympie,” Mr Bailey said.
“Integrating ETCS and Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systems along the line is also an important step in preparing for track duplication between Beerburrum and Landsborough.
“Once installation has been completed along the track and onboard trains, the new infrastructure will provide an engineering control to ensure trains stop before the red signal.”
Member for Nicklin Robert Skelton said the upgrades would enable more modern trains “which will be welcomed by the thousands of people who commute to work every day”.
“Crews started work near Gympie last September and have been progressively making their way south,” he said.
“This project will continue to support a significant number of jobs through to the middle of next year until the crews finish their work just south of Caboolture.
“Works are about to ramp up on the Sunshine Coast Rail Duplication project, so I’m pleased to see the work is being done to equip the rail line with signalling technology that is increasingly being adopted on major rail systems across the world.”
As part of the Cross River Rail project, a new signalling system is also being installed across sections of the inner-city network, using ETCS level two technology.
The works will be rolled out in several stages starting with the Shorncliffe line, where work has already started.
