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Posted by Dale Crisp
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20 October, 2025
THE AUSTRALIAN Rail Track Corporation will carry out essential maintenance and improvement works on the Hunter Valley and North Coast rail corridors this coming weekend, disrupting normal services.
Maintenance and safety trackwork will be undertaken across various work sites from Islington, Newcastle in New South Wales to Acacia Ridge in Queensland from 3am Saturday 25 October to 1am Monday 27 October.
“The shutdown is part of ARTC’s annual maintenance program and is a significant investment in the network,” the corporation said.
Work will be completed across more than 40 sites on the North Coast and Hunter lines, including re-railing, re-sleepering, defect removal as well as maintenance and upgrading of structures, track maintenance and level crossing track works.
ARTC crews will minimise the impact of the work wherever possible, including positioning light towers to shine away from residences, watering down work areas and limiting the number of machines operating at any one time.
Clinton Crump, Group Executive Operations, ARTC said the rail network required regular maintenance to ensure that it continues to play a pivotal role in supporting the region’s economic supply chain and travel connections to communities in New South Wales and south-east Queensland.
“The program of works is designed to minimise disruption to passenger and freight services, and ARTC would like to thank the Hunter Valley and North Coast communities for their patience while these critical, long-term improvements take place.”
Coaches and buses will replace NSW TrainLink services during the trackwork period and customers are encouraged to visit Transportnsw.info or call 13 22 32 for assistance in planning their journey.
Information on road closures or diversions and alternative routes can be found at livetraffic.com.
ARTC is reminding motorists and pedestrians to remain vigilant for altered traffic conditions near the rail corridor, pay attention to signage and to obey all road rules at level crossings, with rail machinery active on rail lines.
