New England Online > Geography > Railways & Trams > Armidale Rail Commission
Armidale Rail Commission
| Armidale Rail Commission | |
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| Network Map | |
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| Large Map of the ARC Network | |
| General Information | |
| Established: | 2014 |
| Lines: | 6 |
| Stations: | 114 |
| Daily Passengers : | 500,000 |
| Administration | |
| Chairman: | Jeremy Lewis |
| Director-General: | Roger Ingall |
| Budget: | C770million |
The Armidale Rail Commission or ARC is a subsidiary of New England Rail responsible for the provision of all passenger rail services to the Armidale region. On most days, the network moves over 500,000 people a day, making it the largest in the country.
The commission was established in 2014 to oversee rail operations in the capital. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of New England Rail, with board appointments made in consultation with Greater Armidale County Council.
Network Information
The network itself is one of the most efficient metropolitan railway systems in the world, covering the urban centres of Greater Armidale. The network covers Armidale, Dangarsleigh, Guyra, Hillgrove, Thalgarrah, Uralla, Walcha and Woolbrook. On any given day, 500,000 people will utilise the network for transport around the conurbation.
Unlike the dilapidated networks in other parts of the western world, the Armidale system is modern, clean and runs one of the most reliable systems in the world. The commission employs 7,500 staff in a variety of roles, from drivers and guards to electricians, plumbers, engineers and planners. As of 2051, ARC runs on a budget of C770 million a year.
The network is completely electrified and all trains operating on the network use 25 kV AC overhead electrification and travel on 1435mm standard gauge tracks. All rolling stock is single deck with two seats on either side of the aisle. Trains run twenty-four hours a day across all lines on the network, albeit with infrequent services between midnight and 6am.
Lines
The system is set up as a hybrid system a metro-style underground railway system and a suburban commuter rail system. All the lines on the network are made up of both of these types. The network is divided into eleven lines, which are grouped to form six operational lines, as follows:
- Arding Line (Madgwick - Arding)
- Dangarsleigh & University Line (Erskine St - Dangars Falls)
- Thalgarrah & Eastern Line (Thalgarrah - Hillgrove)
- Invergowrie & North Hill Line (Madgwick - Munday's Lane)
- Northern & Uralla Line (Llangothlin - Woolbrook)
- Puddledock & Southern Line (Devils Pinch - Walcha)
Services began between Uralla and Guyra in 2014 along what was then known as the Main Line. When the city began to experience it's rapid growth in the 2020's, new lines were built to Invergowrie and Tilbuster. Lines to Dangarsleigh and Arding were opened in the 2030's. The newest line is the Eastern Line, which opened in 2041.
