Rail delays expected

Delays are expected with major work on the South Coast rail Line over the coming weeks.

A $40 million track rebuild between Sutherland and Waterfall will cause disruptions and delays for northern suburbs rail passengers over the next

two weeks.

The line upgrade, which began yesterday, will mean buses will replace trains between Waterfall and Sutherland, except in the morning and afternoon peak when South Coast intercity trains will pick up passengers at Heathcote.

NSW Transport Minister John Watkins said commuters travelling south of Sutherland should pick up a South Coast track work booklet with bus and train timetables available from stations and the CityRail website.

"Once the works are complete, it will mean a smoother ride and more reliable service in the years ahead," Mr Watkins said.

"We've achieved a lot through regular infrastructure upgrades on the Illawarra and South Coast Lines, but there's still more work to be done."

The track work will continue until October 14, and reconstruction begins again during the July 2007 school holidays. The final stage between Sutherland and Heathcote is scheduled for completion by 2010.

"By scheduling this work during school holidays we are minimising the disruption to our passengers, Mr Watkins said.

"Far more work can be completed over the course of a fortnight than over an equivalent number of weekends."

The work would employ the Speno RR64 grinding machine for much of the work during the two week upgrade.

"RailCorp recently entered into a three year contract with Speno Rail Maintenance Australia for the provision of rail grinding a contract worth up to $16 million.

"The process of rail grinding improves the wheel-rail contact and thereby maintains the integrity and extends the life of the rail.

"Grinding the rail also removed corrugations, reducing track vibration and noise as a train travels over the rail as well as helping to cut wear on train wheels and energy consumption.

"The grinding process gives the rail a smoother finish which means a smoother ride for passengers," Mr Watkins said.