A ten-day shutdown next month will bring Victoria’s Shepparton Line a step closer to its largest upgrade in decades, as crews prepare to switch over to a new train control system.
From Sunday 7 September to Tuesday 16 September, coaches will replace trains for all or part of the journey while crews test and install signalling equipment between Seymour and Shepparton.
The works include cabling and trackside hardware installation to support commissioning of the line’s new signalling system.
The Shepparton Line Upgrade’s Stage 3 works are due for completion later this year and will modernise ageing infrastructure to support a weekday service uplift from five to nine return services between Melbourne and Shepparton.
The project also aims to deliver hourly weekend services on the Seymour Line and five return weekend services to Shepparton.
A second major construction blitz is planned before year’s end to bring the signalling system online. This will involve safety testing of the new infrastructure before the system enters operation.
The Stage 3 package has delivered significant capacity improvements. Nearly 40 kilometres of track have been upgraded, the Murchison East passing loop has been extended to allow 1,200‑metre freight trains and two six‑car VLocity sets to pass, and the Shepparton stabling facility has been expanded to house additional trains.
Earlier stages of the Shepparton Line Upgrade have already delivered more frequent services, modernised stations and improved reliability through the introduction of VLocity trains.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said: “Delivering a new signalling system will transform the way people travel on the Shepparton Line – with the project set to be completed later this year. We thank the community for their patience as we get on delivering this important project which will enable more trains to run more often.”
