A new crossing loop for freight and the occasional passenger service has opened at Elmhurst. The new track called Elmhurst Loop is 900m in length and claimed to provide the ability to cross trains between Maryborough and Ararat for the first time, a claim clearly incorrect as crossing of trains and a yard once existed at Avoca.
The signalling for the project was carried out recently perhaps by V/Line.
The length of the loop is subject to criticism as Mildura freight trains (not grain) are generating running over 70 wagons at certain times of the year.
This work comes on the back of other criticism of the Murray Basin Rail Project where much damage was done to the Maryborough Yard making it less useful and difficult to store trains because of it being largely reduced.
Further during the other works on the line key sidings for freight were removed by V/Line making it harder to use the network for goods taking freight off road and onto rail.
it makes you wonder if V/Line ever consult with the industry at all before they make their bloody mind up on works. Overall rating, the loop is too short and built to standards of 30 years ago.
There was space for a longer standardised loop length why was it not done and we have a shorter loop?