South Australia's public transport system is receiving a major overhaul, with a $2.6 billion program of works over ten years now underway to transform Adelaide's network into a vibrant, state of the art and sustainable system, providing faster, cleaner, more frequent and efficient services for commuters.  

Electrification of Adelaide's metropolitan passenger rail network is a major component of this investment and is one of the most complex transport projects ever undertaken by the South Australian Government.

Rail electrification is being rolled out over more than 100km of track across the metropolitan area from Gawler to Seaford and Adelaide to Outer Harbor with funding exceeding $400 million over five-years.

Click for more information about: 

• What is electrification?  
• Works program
• Benefits of electrification
• Gawler Line Revitalisation project brochure (pdf 2.1MB).
• Gawler Line Revitalisation construction fact sheet (pdf 1.93MB)

What is electrification?

Currently, all of our trains are powered by diesel. Electrifying the Noarlunga, Gawler and Outer Harbor lines will involve installing masts and overhead electrical wires. These wires will power brand new electric trains and those trains from the existing fleet to be converted from diesel to electric. The existing fleet are currently being internally refurbished.

Click here to view a visual explanation of electrification

Works program

The works to electrify the Noarlunga, Gawler and Outer Harbor lines will include:

• installation of masts and overhead wiring system
• construction of substations to power the electrified system
• safety screens at bridges and pedestrian overpasses
• relocation of services (mostly existing overhead electricity cables) where they are in the way of the rail corridor overhead wiring system
• modifications to the existing rail signalling system to integrate with electrification
• upgrade to the existing network communications system.

The electrified system to be installed in Adelaide is similar to the system that operates successfully in Brisbane and Perth, and many other locations around the world. The voltage to be carried along the rail corridor is similar to that carried along many arterial roads on the ETSA Utilities power distribution network.

Benefits of electrification

Along with the purchase of new trains and track upgrade works, electrification of the rail network will deliver a more modern and efficient train service. Train services will be quieter, faster and more frequent.

Environmental

Environmental benefits include:

• reduced noise
• vibration 
• local air pollution.

Energy efficiency

An electrified rail network:

• is not affected by increases in world oil prices
• is much less reliant on imported fuels.

Road users

More people are expected to use the electrified rail network which may lead to:

• fewer cars on the road
• reduced pressure on some of Adelaide’s roads
• cost savings due to more efficient traffic flows
• reduced travel time.

Financial

Electric trains are cheaper to buy, maintain and operate than the diesel variety. With some of the existing diesel fleet nearing the time for replacement, it makes economic sense to move to an electric fleet.