Broken Hill Xplorer back on the tracks

Rail passenger services to Broken Hill have resumed today 30 January after 14 weeks following damage to the track caused by severe weather.

NSW TrainLink Chief Operating Officer Dale Merrick said the flooding that occurred in the state’s central west in late last year caused significant damage to the track.

“The heavy rain in October flooded more than 150 kilometres of track west of Parkes, with the waters receding only towards the middle of November,” Mr Merrick said.

“In addition, large sections of the track were also washed away and had to be rebuilt.”

The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), which manages the Broken Hill line, had to wait for the water to recede before its crews could begin the work.

On the Broken Hill line between Condobolin and Ivanhoe, 18 sites required substantial repair, the ARTC said. More than 60 workers worked over 22,000 hours across the sites repairing the track, installing 10,500 tonnes of ballast, tamping, and restoring impacted level crossings and signals.

Services resumed with the 06:18am Xplorer leaving Sydney for Broken Hill on Monday.

“This is the longest stretch of time that the track has been out of service. We are thrilled to have the train running again and providing the Broken Hill community with this link to Sydney and the rest of the state.

“I want to thank our customers for being so patient and understanding during this time,” Mr Merrick said.