Railway Digest Magazine December 2020 Back Issue

Qube’s Dandenong Cement Train
Brian Hastings takes a look at a fascinating operation in suburban Melbourne. Working in coordination with interstate rail transport and local road transport, Qube’s cement train runs 37 kilometres from North Dynon Yard to the Hanson Australia cement siding at South Dandenong. Usually operated by a collection of vintage diesel locomotives, it passes through Southern Cross and travels on sections of Skyrail along the way, making it a favourite with railfans.

CBTC comes to Melbourne
The operation of Melbourne’s metropolitan railway is undergoing a major transformation, as the network introduces communications-based train control (CBTS) as part of the $11 billion Metro Tunnel Project. The complexity of the project lies in the introduction of CBTC to not only the new 9km twin-tunnels that will run underneath the city’s CBD, but also to existing sections of the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines.

N Set refurbishment
The Victorian Government has invested $126 million to improve freight and passenger rail services for the state’s regions. Out of this amount, $36 million will go towards maintaining the V/Line Classic Fleet, mainly targeting the N set carriages and Z set carriages, with the work to be undertaken by Bombardier, in both Ballarat and Melbourne, as Ken Carter reports.

Alstom Citadis 305 Trams, Sydney
John Beckhaus takes a look at the Alstom Citadis 305 Trams that operate the CBD and South East Light Rail network in Sydney, paying particular attention to the third rail power collection system that allows these trams to operate in the CBD without overhead wiring.