The findings of an independent assessment have revealed that Australian Rail Track Corporation’s method of laying concrete sleepers as part of the multi-billion dollar upgrade of the rail line between Sydney and Melbourne is ‘acceptable, appropriate and is carried out on other networks in Australia and overseas.’
ARTC CEO, John Fullerton said an independent assessor was commissioned to conduct a comprehensive study into the upgrade of the Main South Line following the recent spate of mud holes as a result of heavy rain.
“Safety is paramount to ARTC. We wanted to be absolutely certain that the method used to upgrade the line between Sydney and Melbourne with concrete sleepers was safe, reliable and appropriate for the conditions,” Mr Fullerton said.
“This independent assessment clearly concludes that our methods are sound.”
“Importantly, the findings decisively refute the misleading claims of certain parties that the side-insertion method used to lay the concrete sleepers has caused the problem of mud holes on the line.”
“This should be the end of these nonsensical claims,” Mr Fullerton said.
Mr Fullerton explained that while mud holes are an unfortunate and unwelcome result of heavy rain, what is important is that when mud holes occur, they are quickly dealt with.
“Rectification work to fix the mud holes on the Main South Line is progressing, with over two thirds of the work completed and the remainder to be finalised in the near future,” he said.
This work has included the construction of new passing loops, replacing derailment-prone, life-expired timber sleepers with new concrete sleepers, renewing many kilometres of steel rail and installing new digital signalling.
Side insertion of concrete sleepers is common practice BUT will always create mud holes when the existing ballast is foul and the subsoil/ballast is saturated. This common knwledge to any experienced track tradesman who has done this type of work. When the thin crust of compacted bed of the existing sleepers is disturbed, bad drainage and dirty ballast will cause mud holes with any sleeper type. Side insertion can be the most economic method of insertion BUT will always require complete ballast renewell when the holistic objective is to improve the running track geometry under a whole of life asset model
The 7.30 program at ABC TV have done some excellent reporting with independent engineering experts on this issue – which John Fullerton does not address in his article.nnFor a different picture, have a look at: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3184257.htmn