Work is set to begin this month on a stabling upgrade at Albury Station, which will accommodate new standard gauge VLocity trains on Victoria’s North East Line.
The Victorian Government is delivering six long-haul VLocity trains for the first time on the North East line and the updated model will be the first VLocity train to run on standard gauge tracks on Victoria’s regional network.
The updated VLocity train models provide a three carriage design, which can be coupled into a total of six carriages. They feature comfortable seating, built in USB chargers and mobile boosting technology, bike racks, shared tables and accessibility improvements.
Works at Albury Station stabling will include upgrading signalling, communications and train control systems, extending stabling tracks to house VLocity trains, improved cleaning facilities as well as new lighting, fencing, gates, CCTV and pathways.
Downer has been appointed to deliver infrastructure upgrades at the border town station to support the new VLocity trains.
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said the upgrade would enable Albury Station to accommodate more comfortable VLocity trains.
“These works at Albury Station will help enable VLocity trains to run on the North East Line and create more accessible and reliable journeys for passengers,” Allan said.
The first lot of VLocity trains began testing on the North East Line in September and will begin taking passengers later this year.
Federal Member for Farrer Sussan Ley said the Albury stabling upgrade would also provide needed jobs and an economic boost for the region.
“These works will support around 25 jobs during construction, which is fantastic news for locals and the region’s construction sector,” Ley said.
The stabling upgrade works are being delivered under the $10 million North East Rail Line Supporting Infrastructure project. The funding is provided by the Federal and Victorian governments, with funding split on a 90:10 basis.
The project is targeted for competition in early 2022.
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