Junee rail line reopens after derailment

The Junee to Griffith rail line has reopened following a derailment earlier this month.

A truck and train collided on 8 March 2023 at the Canola Way level crossing, derailing four locomotives and 17 wagons.

UGL Regional Linx (UGLRL), the operator and maintainer of the Country Regional Network on behalf of Transport for NSW, has advised that it has completed the work to restore the track.

The track restoration included the reinstatement of 220 metres of damaged track with 270 new steel sleepers and 325 metres of new rail, applying 400 tonnes of ballast, and building 50 metres of track formation.

Trains will operate at a reduced speed through the restored sections of track until mid-April, when track resurfacing will be completed.

Wet weather delayed work on the line, with the muddy conditions making it difficult to bring in the heavy cranes needed to remove the derailed locomotives and wagons. Extra stabilisation work also had to be carried out at the site.

The first freight trains are scheduled to run tomorrow, Saturday 1 April with a temporary speed restriction of 20 kilometres per hour in place at the site.

Passenger services are also currently scheduled to resume tomorrow with the 7:13am Sydney to Griffith with an adjusted journey time due to the reduced speed.

Electronic notice boards are in place at the site advising motorists that trains are running again.

Transport recognises the importance of the Junee line, particularly as a key freight route for the productive Riverina region. 

We acknowledge the closure of the rail line for most of this month has had a significant impact and thank the community for their patience.

The restoration of the rail line was a joint effort between Transport for NSW, UGLRL, the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) and the freight operator SSR, which was carried out alongside Junee Shire Council’s road works on Canola Way.