Newcastle

Newcastle, New South Wales.

This four track installation has been in operation since 1996 and monitors over 200 trains per day. It is located adjacent to a track circuited level crossing. Two of the lines are predominantly coal traffic and the other two are used for mixed freight and passenger services. Passenger services include inter-city ad suburban trains.

The structure owner Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and the train operators are different companies. ARTC uses the system to control damage to the track and the operators use it to manage risk. Complex trains must be recognised and vehicle tags assigned. Freight traffic includes road-railers and close coupled sets.

Australian Rail Track Corporation
Rolling stock and train operations monitoring
Standard Gauge, non-electrified
Two bi-directional tracks, 60 kg rail, standard gauge, concrete sleepers
One bi-directional track, 53kg rail, standard gauge, concrete sleepers
One bi-directional track 49kg rail, standard gauge, timber sleepers
120 km/h / 75 mph
Mixed traffic (coal, freight, tilt trains)
Wheel Condition Monitoring (using accelerometers)
Analysis of aggregate structure cycles and stresses
Vertical load cells and Weighbridge function
Integrated tag readers
WAN based packet switching connection to server at control centre.