Infrastructure Projects completes major upgrade for WLU

15/06/2022

Downer Infrastructure Projects have completed a major upgrade for the Warrnambool Line Upgrade at Waurn Ponds Station in Geelong, with V/Line services using the new second platform for the first time.

The new platform welcomed its first train just before 8:30am as the Victorian Government and V/Line unveiled the upgraded station to the public during a community day.

Completion of driver training over the past week paved the way for the opening, following a month-long rail occupation through May to complete final track and signalling upgrades, civil works, testing and commissioning.

Final works at the station included installation of two 50-metre sections of rail to complete the new 1500-metre loop track and relocating live signalling boxes from the rail corridor to allow track duplication to be completed at the station, allowing trains to pass each other in this section. 

The first section of signalling upgrades as part of Stage 1 of the Warrnambool Line Upgrade has also come into operation following the occupation, with more than 64 kilometres of new signalling cable installed as part of critical upgrades between Waurn Ponds and Warncoort. 

Stage one signalling upgrades included installation and commissioning of:

• 44 New Location Boxes (ZB, UPS, F, FGR) and modified 20 Existing location Boxes 

• 1 New Signalling Equipment Room, 2 New Power Equipment Rooms, 1 New Communications Equipment Room 

• 1 Upgraded Level Crossing at Ghazeepore Road to accommodate the second track 

• 23 New Signals and modified 11 Existing Signals 

• 31 New Track Protection Warning Systems (TPWS) 

• 47 New axle counters (AXC) 

• 4 New Point Machines 

• 3 New Rail Temperature Sensors 

• 3 New Interlockings, and 

• a new communication networks 

As part of these signalling upgrades, the project team installed Downer’s new Train Control System, InControl for the first time on the V/Line network. This system will provide cutting edge technology for train controllers to monitor and manage railway conditions on the Warrnambool line in addition to the significant signalling upgrades we have delivered between Waurn Ponds and Warncoort. 

Designed, built, commissioned, and supported in-house by Downer, InControl becomes the latest Train Control System (TCS) to be accepted and type-approved on the V/Line network. The last TCS to be approved for use was a decade ago as part of the Regional Rail Link.

Completion of the Waurn Ponds Station upgrade will enable an additional 20 peak and shoulder peak services to be extended to and from Waurn Ponds Station each week, providing more travel options on regional Victoria’s busiest line.

Integration of the new Boorcan crossing loop into the rail network, as well as completion and commissioning of upgrading signalling infrastructure between Warncoort and Warrnambool is scheduled for late 2022. Completion of this work will enable timetabling of a fifth weekday return service between Warrnambool and Melbourne. 

To learn more about the project, watch our video here.