Queensland Rail say they are working with freight operators and their customers on options to restore services by loading freight on and off trains at Richmond and Hughenden as repairs continue on the western half of the line.
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On Monday March 4, crews made the Richmond to Hughenden section open for all rail traffic, following final repairs to fifty damaged sites spanning 100 kilometres.
The line east of Hughenden is also open and General Manager Asset Management at Queensland Rail Chris Keye said they were helping customers with product support before reopening the rest of the line.
"Glencore are able to truck their product into Hughenden and then transfer their product from truck to train to Port," Mr Keye said.
"Incitec Pivot can do the same from Richmond by transferring the containers from the trucks onto the train, so all this will hopefully help with product support while we work to reopen the line," he said.
The Mount Isa line between Cloncurry and Richmond remains closed but QR CEO Nick Easy said repairs were on schedule.
"Ongoing repair and recovery works for the remaining damaged section between Richmond and Cloncurry was on track, with crews progressively working from both east and west," Mr Easy said.
“We remain on track to reopen the entire Mount Isa Line between late-April and Mid-May, subject to construction and weather conditions.
“We are monitoring weather forecasts daily and are working with our crews to plan around the expected wet weather next week."
There are still a number of sites requiring repair but are impaired by wet ground conditions.
Mr Easy said Pacific National was establishing a crane pad and an appropriate access road to the overturned Pacific National train at Nelia and building a deviation if required.
“Queensland Rail plans to build a rail deviation around the Nelia site, so that we can resume train services in the event that the recovery of the Pacific National train takes longer than the remainder of the repair works for the Mount Isa Line. Surveying and early earthworks are now underway for the deviation," he said.
“A site office has also been established to allow for the coordination of this site as works ramp up.
“Simultaneously, the environmental consultant appointed by Queensland Rail, Glencore and Pacific National, is progressing sampling and monitoring activities in order to assess the impacts from the incident. Liaison with the community, the Department of Environment and Science and Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is ongoing.”
Mr Easy said crews arranged for 3km of plastic mats, or 28 semi-trailer loads, to be delivered to site and have started constructing temporary access roads at several locations, including the Gilliat River and Eastern Creek rail bridges.
"The teams will continue to utilise this matting as required to build access roads in areas which remain wet as repairs continue," he said.
“Overall, work is progressing well to date and we will continue to provide weekly updates on our progress.”
Mr Easy said QR had partnered with the Department of Public Works and Housing to establish workers camps at Richmond and Julia Creek to house more than 400 employees and contractors.
“A 60-bed camp is being established in Richmond to accommodate employees and contractors working on the recovery and another 120-bed camp will also be set up in Julia Creek to accommodate recovery works at Nelia,” Mr Easy said.
“Accommodation presented a significant challenge for the recovery work, but now that a solution has been identified and is being implemented, the Taskforce is confident it can mobilise all of the crews and contractors required to accelerate the recovery program.
“Local contractors have been engaged to transport mobile, stackable buildings on trailers which will house workers unable to be accommodated in local motels and caravan parks and local suppliers in each town will also be hired to provide food, cleaning and supplies to the camps.
“The camps are expected to be operational within the next two weeks, if not earlier.”
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