Community
2 October, 2026
Finishing touches to Loop Line upgrade
Work has commenced on the final and possibly most significant set of works being undertaken as part of the historic Loop Line Project.
Work has commenced on the final and possibly most significant set of works being undertaken as part of the historic Loop Line Project.
Transport Heritage NSW has advised that track resurfacing works will be undertaken along the entire length of the Loop Line – from Picton to Colo Volo – between now until mid-November.
Specialist tamping and ballast regulator machines are already in operation along the corridor.
Tamping is the mechanical process of lifting the track into its correct position and compacting the ballast (crushed stone foundation) underneath the sleepers to create a stable, uniform stable base.
From mid-October, ballast trains will deliver more than 15,000 tonnes of fresh ballast along the route in preparation for its re-opening.
Those people in the vicinity of the Loop Line can expect to hear some noise from track machinery and ballast trains and may also notice some dust as the new ballast is being placed into position.
Transport Heritage NSW has advised it is doing everything possible to keep these impacts to a minimum.
Motorists are reminded that the Loop Line is now considered an active rail corridor once again and stop signs at level crossings must be obeyed.
Those people wanting to see the machines at work as the project nears completion are asked to do so from a public area outside of the rail corridor and well back from the track.
As reported by The Southern Wire, the Loop Line project is being funded by the NSW Government to the tune of $21.7 million and will see heritage trains return to Colo Vale for the first time in 40 years.
The project is expected to contribute significantly to the local visitor economy and support the continued success of the NSW Rail Museum in Thirlmere.
The Picton-Mittagong Loop Line opened in 1867 as part of the original Main Southern Railway.
It was bypassed by a new double track alignment in 1919 but regular services continued along the Loop Line through until the 1970s.
At this stage there are no plans to reactivate the 8.8km section of track between Colo Vale and Mittagong.
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