Main western rail line: Blue Mountains route to reopen on January 21 after freight train derailment

The shuttered main western line is set to open to passenger services imminently after a freight derailment over the Christmas period. See when services will resume.

Repair work continues on the shuttered Blue Mountains line as it gears up to re-open to passenger services in late January. Picture: Supplied

The shuttered Blue Mountains line is set to open to passenger services later this month after a freight train derailed over the Christmas period on the important commuter and cargo railway artery.

In an announcement at Central Station on Thursday, Regional Transport Minister Sam Farraway will reveal the main western rail line, which ferries people and freight through the Blue Mountains, will reopen to passenger services on January 21.

It comes after a section of the track, between Katoomba and Springwood, was shut on December 17 after a freight train derailed.

“Our maintenance crews are working around the clock right through the holiday period to get the job done,” Minister Farraway said.

Shuttle buses replaced commuter services between the two towns while all Sydney to Dubbo XPT intercity services were replaced by coaches.

Minister Sam Farraway (centre) with repair workers on the shuttered Blue Mountains line as it prepares to reopen. Picture: Supplied

Intensive repair work will see the shuttered Blue Mountains line reopen on January 21. Picture: Supplied

Minister Farraway explained the extent of the ongoing repair work on the 10km stretch of railway between Lawson and Linden.

“Maintenance crews have already laid almost 10 kilometres of railroad sub-grade layer to support the new track, installed more than 15,000 new sleepers, laid more than 11,000 tonnes of ballast and replaced or repaired 39 pieces of signalling equipment,” he said.

“This work was carried out in extremely difficult terrain and required detailed planning and specialist engineering expertise to get the crews and replacement material on site.

The freight train derailed on the stretch on December 17. Picture: Supplied

The line is set to re-open in late January. Picture: Supplied

“By working closely with industry, we have been able to keep freight moving across this critical supply chain by opening the adjacent track in blocks of days to diesel trains.”

Blue Mountains state MP Trish Doyle, whose electorate the line runs through, thanked crews for the “massive repair job” and said commuters would “undeniably feel some relief”, although added she’d been kept in the dark about the dates.

“I’m disappointed that the minister wasn’t able to share any of this information with me or my community,” she said.

Extensive remove, replace and repair work was undertaken by crews over the festive period. Picture: Supplied

Sydney to Dubbo XPT intercity services are currently replaced by coaches, although will resume on January 21.

“Thank goodness for locals, who work on our railway network, for keeping me and Blue Mountains residents informed, for their assistance during a difficult period and for their patience.”

Since the derailment, 18km of damaged rail and 15km of sleepers had been removed, while 92 pieces of signalling equipment required replacing or repairs as a result of the damage.

Nearly 12km of new rail was installed over the festive period while about 2km of ballast was also tampered to stabilise the track bed.

Transport for NSW said buses continue to replace trains for passenger services between Katoomba and Springwood, while hourly train services are running in both directions between Lithgow and Katoomba, and Penrith and Springwood.

The department advised passengers travelling towards the city can join suburban rail services at Penrith to continue their journey.

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