The first train travelling one of Brisbane’s Cross River Rail tunnels, marks a huge milestone for the public transport system of the capital of Queensland.
The test train travelled almost four km from the Mayne Yard stabling facility to the new Roma Street underground station platform, forming a “proof of concept” and setting up the project for success ahead of its final testing and commissioning phase.
The proof of concept involved the train entering the tunnel at a low speed of approximately 5 km/h and using minimal power to conduct several critical tests. These included testing overhead power systems with the train and safe movement through the tunnel.
“Following the proof of concept, crews will prepare for more rigorous testing across the remaining tunnel and station areas. These tests will start with validating individual systems and gradually expand to test multiple systems at the same time before full capacity timetable testing prior to opening to the public,” Cross River Rail Delivery Authority CEO Graeme Newton said.
The proof of concept was made possible after the section of tunnel north of the Roma Street underground station was energised, using around 4.5 km of rigid overhead conductor bars to provide 25 kilovolts of power to the train.
Overall, there will be thousands of tests performed for the Cross River Rail tunnels and stations, including testing the fire protection and detection systems, communications, lighting, power, earthing and bonding, CCTV, drainage, lifts and escalators, ventilation, security and passenger information systems.
Ultimately, the rigorous testing and commissioning regime will allow passenger services to run safely through the tunnels to the new underground stations.
Cross River Rail is a new 10.2 km rail line with 5.9 km of twin tunnels running under the Brisbane River and CBD and four new underground stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street and Roma Street. Under the project, a new above ground station at Exhibition and other three stations on the Gold Coast line, will be constructed and 7 suburban stations are to be rebuilt between Dutton Park and Salisbury.
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