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Network

With an upgraded, fit-for-purpose rail freight network, TasRail is one of the largest transport service providers in Tasmania, connecting industry and commerce to major shipping ports and freight hubs across the State.

The Tasmanian Rail Network is a single line, narrow gauge (1067 millimetre) transport system. The Operational Network extends from Brighton to Western Junction and to the Port of Bell Bay in the north east and Burnie in the north west.

Connections are also provided to Fingal in the east and Boyer in the Derwent Valley.

The Melba Line (formerly named the Emu Bay Line) connects the West Coast to Burnie.

Network Statistics

The Below Rail Infrastructure Assets include:

  • 611 route kilometres of operational track
  • 232 route kilometres of non-operational track
  • 1.3+ million sleepers
  • 355 bridges
  • 3 tunnels
  • 106 Active level crossings
  • 143 Passive level crossings
  • 250+ Private level crossings and livestock crossings

Maintenance Regime

Investment in rail infrastructure and track upgrades not only improves the safety and reliability of freight rail operations to a standard able to compete with road transport for contestable loads, it also delivers an overall increase in the efficiency of the State’s transport system. This in turn translates to lower freight costs for business and industry.

In terms of Below Rail infrastructure maintenance, TasRail reviewed its systems, data and operating structure in 2014/15 to find smarter and more productive ways of ensuring the integrity and safe operation of the network.  The effectiveness of the Below Rail maintenance strategy continues to improve with the requirement for unplanned maintenance reducing year on year as a more proactive approach to asset management is adopted.

Derailment Prevention

TasRail is committed to minimising the risk of train derailment.  Our goal is zero.

Since the Company was established in December 2009, the number and severity of mainline train derailments on the network has significantly reduced.   When measured on a per million route kilometres basis, the number of mainline train derailments has reduced by more than 60 per cent since 2010.

TasRail’s multi disciplinary Derailment Prevention Strategy is continuously reviewed to keep pace with best practice.  The strategy includes practical training in the detection of derailment conditions, the exploration and trial of new technologies and the development of mitigating actions. 

In recent times, TasRail has partnered with experts including Monash University, UTAS and SenseT on a range of derailment prevention initiatives.