Review of Tier 3 Lines, Worley Parsons Consulting and Public
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ATTACHMENT A PUBLIC TRANSPORT AUTHORITY Review of Tier 3 Lines 301012-02038 – REP-001 7 August 2014 Level 7, QV1 Building, 250 St. Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Australia Telephone: +61 8 9278 8111 Facsimile: +61 8 9278 8110 www.worleyparsons.com ABN 61 001 279 812 © Copyright 2014 WorleyParsons ATTACHMENT A ATTACHMENT A PUBLIC TRANSPORT AUTHORITY REVIEW OF TIER 3 LINES CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................. 1 2. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 2 2.1 Scope of Works ........................................................................................................... 2 3. DOCUMENT AND DATA VERIFICATION ...................................................................... 4 3.1 York to Quairading (74km) ........................................................................................ 5 3.2 Trayning to West Merredin (72km) ............................................................................ 5 3.3 Bruce Rock to West Merredin (48km) ........................................................................ 6 3.4 Yilliminning to Bruce Rock (145km) .......................................................................... 6 3.4.1 Yilliminning to Yealering (45km) ................................................................... 6 3.4.2 Corrigin to Bruce Rock (60km) ...................................................................... 7 3.5 Narrogin to Yilliminning (23km) ................................................................................ 7 3.6 Yilliminning to Kulin (95km) ...................................................................................... 8 3.7 Kondinin to West Merredin (140km) ......................................................................... 8 3.7.1 Kondinin to Narembeen (51km) .................................................................... 8 3.7.2 Narembeen to West Merredin (89km) ........................................................... 9 3.8 Maya to Perenjori (56km) ........................................................................................... 9 4. TIMETABLE OF FIELD INSPECTIONS .......................................................................... 10 5. METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................ 11 6. GENERAL LINE CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................ 13 7. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ......................................................................................... 14 7.1 York to Quairading ................................................................................................... 14 7.2 Trayning to West Merredin ....................................................................................... 20 7.3 Bruce Rock to Merredin ............................................................................................ 23 7.4 Yilliminning to Bruce Rock ....................................................................................... 26 7.4.1 Yilliminning to Bullaring............................................................................... 26 7.4.2 Bullaring to Bruce Rock ................................................................................ 29 7.5 Narrogin to Yilliminning ........................................................................................... 31 \\perworfil1\infstruclib\projects\301012-02038- tier 3 freight line pta\2_communications\reports\tier 3 rail review report rev 0.doc Page iii 301012-02038 : REP-001 Rev 0 : 7 August 2014 ATTACHMENT A PUBLIC TRANSPORT AUTHORITY REVIEW OF TIER 3 LINES 7.6 Yilliminning to Kulin ................................................................................................. 33 7.7 Kondinin to West Merredin ...................................................................................... 37 7.8 Maya to Perenjori ...................................................................................................... 40 8. PHYSICAL CONDITION OF TIER 3 LINES ................................................................... 44 8.1 Tamping Trial ............................................................................................................ 44 APPENDIX 1 - TRAIN RUNNING CHARTS APPENDIX 2 - 2000 AND 2014 SPEED RESTRICTIONS APPENDIX 3 - FINAL TRAIN RUNNING \\perworfil1\infstruclib\projects\301012-02038- tier 3 freight line pta\2_communications\reports\tier 3 rail review report rev 0.doc Page iv 301012-02038 : REP-001 Rev 0 : 7 August 2014 ATTACHMENT A PUBLIC TRANSPORT AUTHORITY REVIEW OF TIER 3 LINES 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In July 2014 the Public Transport Authority (PTA) required an independent review of the physical condition of the Tier 3 lines to be conducted by an independent expert. The Scope of the Review is included in Section 2. Introduction and the General Characteristics of the relevant lines are described in Section 6 of this report and their location shown in Figure 1. The Sectional Running Times on the majority of the Tier 3 Lines as at the end of June 2014 are greater than the times stipulated in the Lease Agreement as the allowable speeds are set with due regard for safety and consequentially restricted in accordance with the Brookfield Rail N.G. Code of Practice. In addition allowable axle loads (which in some cases actually prevent the running of Loaded Trains) and allowable train lengths are also restricted. The ‘metrics’ of the Narrogin – Yilliminning and Yilliminning – Kulin sections remain within the terms of the lease, however the physical condition of parts of the Yilliminning – Kulin line would preclude the safe running of trains. Some of the values for the York – Quairading section appear to be within the lease conditions ‘on paper’ but the physical condition of that track as well as some other significant restrictions to train running contradicts this in fact. The majority of the lines are considered to be not in a “Fit for Purpose” condition and are deemed unsafe for the running of trains in accordance with the Code of Practice. The Narrogin – Yilliminning section is the only exception and considered safe under its current operating conditions. The amount of timber sleeper replacement that would be required in the random, discreet locations checked ranged between 41% & 70%. The track components are largely well past their normally accepted lifespan with some rail over 100 years old and sleepers over 44 years noted in some locations. Sections of railway with light rail and mechanical joints on gravel ballast are considered substandard for current train operations. Individual track components work together to provide the overall track integrity and therefore when one or more of the components are sub-standard the whole track structure is sub-standard and as such is compromised in its ability to perform the required task. Works required to bring the track to an acceptable standard would involve significant expenditure covering welding into continuous welded rail, rerailing with heavier rail and metal ballasting. However these measures would only be effective when carried out as a total package in conjunction with each other. The previous review, conducted in 2009, concluded “If resleepering is deferred or not undertaken then the railways will deteriorate and eventually will be no longer “Fit for Purpose” and will not be able to operate within the required Sectional Running Times.” The required resleepering has not taken place and therefore this prediction has come true. Additionally train running data reveals that a significant number of locations were not actually being used for rail load out for some time prior to the withdrawal of services. \\perworfil1\infstruclib\projects\301012-02038- tier 3 freight line pta\2_communications\reports\tier 3 rail review report rev 0.doc Page 1 301012-02038 : REP-001 Rev 0 : 7 August 2014 ATTACHMENT A PUBLIC TRANSPORT AUTHORITY REVIEW OF TIER 3 LINES 2. INTRODUCTION In November 2013 and July 2014 several Tier 3 Lines were withdrawn from service and put into care and maintenance. In July 2014 the Public Transport Authority (PTA) required an independent review of the physical condition of the Tier 3 lines to be conducted by an independent expert. The review is to determine: • Whether the physical condition of the Tier 3 lines is capable of supporting the Performance Standards as set out in Schedule 4 of the Lease as expressed in terms of sectional run times; maximum axle loading; and maximum track speed. • If the physical condition of any Tier 3 lines is not capable of supporting the Performance Standards as set out in Schedule 4 of the narrow gauge lease, under what conditions if any, would those lines be safe to operate rolling stock as of the time of the review. Any conditions stipulated should be limited to weather conditions, number of trains per day, maximum axle loading, and maximum track speed. The review covers the following lines; • York to Quairading (refer Section 3.1 and 7.1) • Trayning to West Merredin (refer Section 3.2 and 7.2) • Bruce Rock to West Merredin (refer Section 3.3 and 7.3) • Yilliminning to Bruce Rock (refer Section 3.4 and 7.4) • Narrogin to Yilliminning (refer Section 3.5 and 7.5) • Yilliminning to Kulin (refer Section 3.6 and 7.6) • Kondinin to West Merredin (refer Section 3.7 and 7.7) • Maya to Perenjori (refer Section 3.8 and 7.8) 2.1 Scope of Works