VRIOGS 012.2.1 - Public Transport Victoria

Victorian Rail Industry Operators Group Standards 

VRIOGS 012.2.1 

Standard for Construction of Cable Route 

and Signalling Civil Works 

Revision 

A 

Issue Date 07/09/2010

ii 

VRIOGS 012.2.1 REVISION A 

VRIOGS 012.2.1 Standard for Construction of Cable Route and Signalling Civil Works 

Revision A 

Issue Date: 07/09/2010 

APPROVAL STATUS 

APPROVER STATUS DATE QUALIFICATIONS 

Document Developer 

VRIOG Steering 

Committee 

Approved 07/09/2010 

Accredited Rail Operator 

Metropolitan Train 

Intrastate Train 

Interstate Train 

Tram 

VicTrack 

For any queries please contact vriogs@transport.vic.gov.au. 

NOTE: This document is controlled only when viewed on the DOT Engineering Standards website. 

Any other copy of this document is uncontrolled, and the content may be inaccurate.

PURPOSE OF THE STANDARD 

The Standard has been created through the collaboration of members of the Victorian Rail 

Industry Operators’ Group (VRIOG) for the purpose of establishing standards which, if 

implemented throughout the Victorian Rail Network, will facilitate the interoperability of 

infrastructure. 

The use of the Standard is not prescribed by law but, if adopted, conformity with the 

provisions of the Standard is mandatory in order that the purpose of the Standard be 

achieved. 

PURPOSE OF THE STANDARD 

The Standard is published by the Director of Public Transport for information purposes 

only and does not amount to any kind of advice. 

Each person is responsible for making his or her own assessment of all such information 

and for verifying such information. The content of this publication is not a substitute for 

professional advice. 

The Director of Public Transport and VRIOG accept no liability for any loss or damage to 

any person, howsoever caused, for information contained in this publication, or any 

purported reliance thereon. 

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 

© Director of Public Transport 2005. 

This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in 

accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act. 

Where information or material is so used, it should be used accurately and the Standard 

should be acknowledged as the source of the information.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

SECTION 1.0 CONVENTIONS 1 

SECTION 2.0 DEFINITIONS 2 

SECTION 3.0 SCOPE AND GENERAL 4 

3.1 Scope 4 

3.2 Application 4 

3.3 Background 4 

SECTION 4.0 CABLE ROUTE REQUIREMENTS 5 

4.1 General 5 

4.2 Underground Services of Other Authorities 6 

4.3 Working Whilst Existing System is Operational 7 

4.4 Cable Route Survey 7 

4.5 Location of Cable Route 7 

4.6 Cable Route Intersection with Access Roads 8 

4.7 Types of Cable Route 8 

4.8 Radius of Bends 9 

4.9 Stability of Excavations 9 

4.10 Programming of Works 10 

4.11 Public Safety 10 

4.12 Placement of Spoil 10 

4.13 Blasting 10 

SECTION 5.0 CABLE ROUTE MARKER POSTS, CABLE JOINT MARKER POSTS 

AND EQUIPMENT PROTECTION RAIL POSTS 11 

5.1 Equipment Protection Rail Posts 11 

5.2 Cable Route Markers and Cable Joint Markers 11 

SECTION 6.0 BURIED CABLE ROUTE (CABLE ROUTE TYPES 1, 2, 3, 4) 13 

6.1 General 13 

6.2 Depth of Cable Route 13 

6.3 Protective Cover over Signalling and Communications Cables 13 

6.4 PVC Cable Marker Tape in Trenches 13 

6.5 Rock Areas 13 

6.6 Cable and Conduit Ploughing 14 

6.7 Buried Conduits 14 

6.8 Capping of conduits 16 

6.9 Method of joining conduits 16 

6.10 Direction of laying conduits 16 

6.11 Draw wires in conduits 16 

6.12 Spare Buried Conduits 17 

6.13 Conduits in Platforms and Other Paved Areas 17 

6.14 Conduits in High Voltage Areas 18 

6.15 Back Filling 18 

6.16 Compaction 19 

6.17 Buried Cable Routes through Water Courses 19 

6.18 Cable Routes on Embankments 20 

6.19 Cable Routes on Bridges and Viaducts 20 

SECTION 7.0 GROUND LEVEL TROUGHING CABLE ROUTE (CABLE ROUTE 

TYPE 5) 21 


7.2 Troughing Route Capacity 22 

7.3 Drainage 23 

7.4 Lids or Cover 23 

SECTION 8.0 GALVANISED STEEL TROUGHING (CABLE ROUTE TYPE 6) 24 


8.2 Troughing on Bridges, Viaducts or in Tunnels 25 

8.3 Wall Mounted Troughing 26 

8.4 GST Over Culverts and Small Water Courses 26 

8.5 Joining Sleeves 27 

8.6 Fitting of Lids 27 




8.7 Above Ground Troughing to Ground Level Troughing/Trenches/Pits 27 

8.8 Above Ground Troughing Cable Entry/Exit to Trackside Equipment 28 

8.9 Cabling Through High Voltage Areas 28 

8.10 Arrangements at or near Overhead Wiring Structures 28 

8.11 Troughing Route Capacity 28 

8.12 Bends 29 

8.13 Mounting Brackets and Fittings 29 

8.14 Transition between GST/GLT/Buried Cable Route 29 

8.15 Steel Troughing Arrangements at Entries to Equipment Boxes 29 

SECTION 9.0 CABLE LADDER (CABLE ROUTE TYPES 7, 8, 9) 30 


9.2 Cable Ladder Environment 30 

9.3 Cable Ladder Capacity 30 

9.4 Bends 30 

9.5 Joints and Expansion Joints 31 

9.6 Mounting Brackets and Fittings 31 

9.7 Cable Ladder in Tunnels or Through Under-bridges 31 

9.8 Transition between Cable Ladder/Cable Ladder/GST/GLT/Buried Route 32 

9.9 Cable Ladder Arrangements at Connection to Local Cable Route and 

Equipment 32 

9.10 Cable Ladder Covers 32 

SECTION 10.0 UNDER LINE AND UNDER ROAD CROSSINGS (CABLE ROUTE 

TYPE 10) 33 


10.2 Depth of ULX / URX 33 

10.3 ULX or URX by Open Excavation 33 

10.4 Under Line Crossings (ULX) 34 

10.5 Under Road Crossings (URX) 34 

SECTION 11.0 CABLE ROUTE WITH SHARED AND MIXED SERVICES (CABLE 

ROUTE TYPE 11) 35 

SECTION 12.0 CABLE ROUTE WITH SIGNALLING, COMMUNICATIONS AND 

SUBSTATION/TRACTION SYSTEMS (CABLE ROUTE TYPE 12)36 

SECTION 13.0 STEEL PIPE CABLE ROUTE (CABLE ROUTE TYPE 13) 37 

SECTION 14.0 CABLE PITS, CABLE JOINTING PITS AND CABLE TURNING 

CHAMBERS 38 

14.1 Cable Pits and Chambers 38 

14.2 Access into pits 39 

14.3 Drainage of Pits 39 

14.4 Types of Pits and Turning Chambers 40 

14.5 Cast on Site type Pits 40 

14.6 Pit and Chamber Covers and Collars: 40 

14.7 Location of Cable Pits 41 

14.8 Location of Cable Jointing Pits 42 

14.9 Location of Cable Turning Chambers 42 

14.10 Preferred Type Cable Pits 42 

SECTION 15.0 CABLE ROUTE TO TRACKSIDE EQUIPMENT 43 

15.1 Location of Equipment 43 

15.2 Signals 43 

15.3 Train Protection and Signal Enforcement 43 

15.4 Points 43 

15.5 Station Buildings, Platform Signals and Indicators 44 

15.6 Boom Barriers and Level Crossing 44 

15.7 Pedestrian Gates 44 

15.8 Train Stabling Gates 44 

15.9 Signal Post Mounted Telephones (SPT) 44 

SECTION 16.0 SIGNAL MAST AND SIGNAL GANTRY FOUNDATIONS 45 

16.1 Location of Signal Masts and Signal Gantry Foundations 45 

16.2 Construction of Signal Mast Foundations 45 


Any other copy of this document is uncontrolled, and the content may be inaccurate. 

v

vi 


16.3 Construction of Signal Gantry Foundations 46 

16.4 Backfilling and Levelling Site 46 

16.5 Handrails 46 

16.6 Walkways 46 

16.7 Foundations Affecting Track Drainage 46 

16.8 Access to Signals and Gantries from Public Roads 46 

SECTION 17.0 CONCRETE AND STABILISED SAND 47 


17.2 Ready Mixed Concrete and Stabilised Sand 47 

17.3 Site Mixed Concrete and Stabilised Sand 47 

17.4 Concreting Reinforcing 47 

17.5 Concreting Finishing 47 

SECTION 18.0 EQUIPMENT HOUSING CIVIL WORKS 48 


18.2 Equipment Boxes 48 

18.3 Equipment Boxes on Raised Metal Platforms 49 

18.4 Access to Equipment Boxes 49 

18.5 Equipment Huts 49 

18.6 Equipment Rooms 49 

SECTION 19.0 COMMUNICATIONS CABLE CABINETS, ROOMS AND HUTS 50 


SECTION 20.0 FOOTPATHS AND WALKWAYS 51 

SECTION 21.0 PLATFORMS, STEPS, FENCING, GATES, LADDERS AND 

RETAINING WALLS 52 


21.2 Gates 52 

21.3 Fencing 52 

21.4 Steps, Ladders and Handrails 52 

21.5 Modifications to Existing Fencing 53 

21.6 Temporary Fences 53 

21.7 Retaining walls 53 

SECTION 22.0 TABLE OF FIGURES USED WITHIN THIS STANDARD 55 

SECTION 23.0 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 77 



VRIOGS 012.2.1 REVISION A 1 

SECTION 1.0 CONVENTIONS 

1. Words or phrases that appear capitalised out of context are defined within the 

Definitions section of this VRIOG Standard. 

2. The word “Shall” is to be understood as mandatory. 

3. The word “Should” is to be understood as non-mandatory, i.e. advisory or 

recommended. 

4. The word “May” is to be understood as non-mandatory, i.e. advisory or 

recommended. 

5. The Infrastructure Manager is the person responsible for Signalling works 

infrastructure, but may also be responsible for installing Telecommunications 

infrastructure. In those instances the VicTrack Network Maintenance Manager 

must be consulted for agreement on work methods, specifications and standards 

to be applied. In general, if the Infrastructure Manager is named as being the 

responsible authority, then it should be noted that the VicTrack Network 

Maintenance Manager is also an interested party whenever telecommunications 

infrastructure is being supplied and installed. 

6. Uncontrolled Standards may not be referenced within the VRIOG Standards. 

These include former PTC Standards, Franchisee Standards, Franchisee 

Constructor Standards and Infrastructure Lessee Standards. 

7. Controlled Standards, including Australian Standards and other VRIOG Standards, 

may be referenced but only if: 

a) The referenced item cannot be adequately explained with an amount of text 

that could not reasonably be inserted into the body of the Standard. 

b) The reader is not referenced to another Controlled Standard necessary for the 

item to be adequately explained, ie. One document link only. 

c) The referenced document is a Figure or table and could not reasonably be 

included in the appendices of the Standard. 

8. The format employed in the VRIOG Standards is compatible with Australian 

Standards, and will be used from this point on. 

9. The numbering system for the VRIOG Standards is chronologically sequential from 

the point of introduction, and is not based on any form of interpretive system. 

10. The VRIOG Standards contain engineering information necessary to operate a 

safe Railway. VRIOG Standards will not contain any information that can be 

construed as a work instruction, procedure, process or protocol. This information 

forms the basis of each individual entity’s Safety Accreditation Certification, and, 

as such, is outside the scope of VRIOG Standards. 



2 VRIOGS 012.2.1 REVISION A 

SECTION 2.0 DEFINITIONS 

Terminology used and /or applied in this Standard is defined as follows: 

Terminology 

Definition 

1100 The phone number for “dial before you dig” services 

1800 619 1111 The phone number displayed on all VicTrack cable marker 

posts for contact with VicTrack Access, for information on 

underground VicTrack communications cables on Victorian rail 

corridors 

Backfill 

Cables - Main 

signalling cables 

Backfill is compactable material free of rocks that will not pass 

through a 30mm sieve and free of broken concrete, brick, 

rubble, wood, glass, rubbish, steel or other metal objects that 

could damage cables or affect the operation of electronic cable 

locators and is used within 400mm of cables and conduits as 

backfill. 

Cables that are run from an equipment room, housing or 

equipment box to another equipment room, housing or 

equipment box. Examples such as; signal cables, high voltage 

signalling or power supply cabling, fibre optic cables, etc. Also 

commonly referred to as “through type” cables. 

Cables - Local 

signalling cables 

Cable Ladder 

Cable route 

Clean fill 

Conduit 

Communications 

Cable 

Constructor 

All other cables that are not main cables; and are those run 

from equipment rooms, housings or boxes to trackside field 

located equipment. Examples such as point mechanisms, 

signals, track circuits, train detection equipment, trainstops, axle 

counter disconnection points, TPWS disconnection points, post 

telephones, local signalling power cabling, boom barrier 

mechanisms, pedestrian gates mechanisms, train stabling 

gates, etc. 

A cable ladder type cable route is generally required in areas 

where clearance limitations demand it 

Cable route means any material installed or excavation carried 

out for the installation of cables between two or more points. 

Clean fill is sand (or soil) that is completely free of stones, 

rocks, wood, metal and rubbish or similar. 

A Conduit can also be generically known as a pipe and can be 

manufactured from materials such as high density polyethylene 

(HDPE) or galvanised steel. Within the railway environment 

these materials require approval for use. 

Communications cable is all main and local communications 

cables including communication cables to station buildings, 

relay rooms, Equipment Boxes, trackside telephones, etc. 

Person or organisation undertaking supply, construction, 

manufacturing, installation, testing or commissioning works 

under this standard. Can often also be referred to as a 

Contractor, within commercial arrangements, Standards and 

Specifications. 




Terminology 

External cable route 

FOC 

GLT 

GST 

HDPE 

Infrastructure 

Installation-Major 

Conduit or cable 

enclosure Installations 

Installation-Minor 

Conduit or cable 

enclosure Installations 

Internal cable route 

Non invasive method 

Overloading 

Potholing 

Signalling cables 

Stabilised sand 

Troughing 

ULX 

URX 

Works 

Definition 

External cable route is any cable route not in a building. 

Fibre Optical Cable 

Ground Level Troughing 

Galvanised Steel Troughing 

High Density Polyethylene as is used in manufacture of 

conduits 

Any structure or asset, be it new or existing, that exists in the 

railway environment. 

Where conduits are required for the use of main signalling and 

communications cable route installations such as; under rail line 

crossing, under all types of roads, under all vehicle access 

tracks, or through station platform areas. 

Where conduits are required only for the use of local signalling, 

power and communications cabling and cable route 

installations, under or beside the rail line. 

Internal cable route means any cable route inside a building or 

similar structure. 

For the purposes of this Standard this shall refer to the 

potholing method for location of buried cables and services. 

See potholing definition within this Standard. 

Overloading is where there are too many cables for the troughing 

lids to be correctly fitted. 

Potholing is a procedure which uses water lance vacuum 

excavation techniques to expose services such as; cables, 

conduits or marker tape. Manual excavation using hand tolls 

can also be used. This process is also known as “explorative 

trenching”. At all times when carrying out such activities due 

care is to be exercised so as not to damage any services. 

Signalling cables means but is not limited to cables to signals, 

points, trainstops, signal enforcement equipment, ground 

frames, releasing switches, level crossings, buffer stop lights, 

plus cables between equipment rooms and between equipment 

rooms and Equipment Boxes. 

Stabilised sand is a mixture of sand and Portland cement in the 

ratio 10:1. 

Troughing is also commonly referred to as trunking, and forms 

the type enclosure to install cabling within. 

Under Line Crossing 

Under Road Crossing 

For the purpose of this document, the carrying out of any 

construction or similar activity. 

Table 1 - Terminology 




SECTION 3.0 SCOPE AND GENERAL 

3.1 Scope 

This Standard mandates the accepted criteria that shall be employed when installing new, 

or making alterations on the Victorian Rail Network. For existing installations, the standard 

only applies to the altered part(s). The standard is not intended to be retrospectively 

applied to existing installations (but when a change is introduced, that change is required 

to comply with this standard). 

The purpose of this Standard is to provide the requirements for the Construction of the 

Signal and Communications cable route and Signalling civil type works. 

This Standard describes the minimum requirements for the following works: 

a) Construction of various types of cable routes 

b) Construction of under line and under road crossings. 

c) Construction of cable pits, jointing pits and cable turning chambers. 

d) Construction of foundations for signals and signal gantries 

e) Construction of foundations for Equipment Boxes 

f) Construction of access paths and associated works 

g) Construction of retaining walls, ladders and safety handrails 

h) Construction of fencing and gates for signalling works 

3.2 Application 

This standard applies to all of the Victorian Rail Network encompassed by the State 

borders and shall be applied for the construction of cable routes and signalling civil works, 

as well as Telecommunications works in shared infrastructure such as trenches, ground 

level troughing, trunking and similar. 

This Standard shall be used in conjunction with VRIOGS 012.2 Signalling Supply, 

Construction and Installation. 

For Telecommunications Design and Construction works this specification shall be used in 

conjunction with VicTrack Communications Installation Specification TS-SP013 (latest 

version) and VRIOGS Telecommunications Standards and Specifications. 

3.3 Background 

The following standards have been superseded by this standard with relation to the 

construction of cable routes and signalling civil works. 

List of documents superseded or utilised for the signalling and communications cable 

route and signalling civil type works areas; 

a) VRIOGS 012.2 Specification for Signalling Supply, Construction and Installation, 

and only sections where defining the construction of cable routes and signalling civil 

works. 




SECTION 4.0 CABLE ROUTE REQUIREMENTS 

4.1 General 

The setting out and the construction of the cable route shall be in accordance with the 

provisions of this Standard, and also those further Standards as identified within this 

Standard. 

a) The cable route shall, so far as possible, follow a constant grade and line. Rough 

and uneven ground shall be levelled to the extent necessary to achieve this object. 

Where a buried route is installed, only sufficient surface levelling to provide access 

shall be carried out. Levelling work shall not adversely affect railway or natural 

drainage, or pedestrian or vehicular access routes. 

b) The Constructor shall mark the location of all existing signalling and communication 

cables, drainage and all other underground services of other authorities in the area 

to be excavated. Installation shall be carried out in accordance with this 

specification, AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules and VicTrack Communications Cable 

Installation Specification TS-SP-013. 

c) Unless otherwise approved by the Infrastructure Manager; all signalling, 

communications and signalling power cables shall be installed in; either buried 

conduits or be direct buried, with ground level or above ground cable routes being 

the least preferred option. 

i 

ii 

iii 

Within the electrified Metropolitan Network area the Constructor shall install 

buried PVC conduits. 

Within the Country Regional Network areas the preference is for buried PVC 

conduits; with direct buried signal and power cabling as an option where 

cabling is to be installed for distances in excess of 1000 metres, and as 

agreed upon with the Infrastructure Manager. 

Communication cables shall have adequate separation from all electric cables 

in accordance with Australian Standard AS/ACIF S009 Installation 

requirements for customer cabling (Wiring Rules) 

d) When trenching alongside or across gas, water mains or service utility lines, the 

Constructor shall comply with any restrictions which may apply to the easement and 

liaise with the owners of that easement to establish mutually agreed methods of 

protection and support for the services. 

e) When trenching near existing VicTrack cable infrastructure the Constructor is to 

conform to the requirements of the VicTrack Network Protection Plan TS-SP015. 

f) The width of the trench shall be not less than 200 mm (chain or bucket excavation) 

or 300 mm (backhoe and other). 

g) The floor of the trench shall be level and free from all loose sharp objects; such as 

stones or rock of any type, or size, or rail ballast. 

h) Trenching, cabling laying and backfilling shall be carried out progressively and 

concurrently, so that trenches are open for an absolute minimum of time. 

i) The Constructor shall break and remove all rock and excess spoil from the site, and 

shall supply any such quantities of clean imported fill as is necessary to cater for 

areas where rock has been removed and backfill is required. 

j) Where interfering to existing pathway areas and similar; the Constructor shall 

maintain continuous access to all pathways, or provide alternate access to current 

VRIOGS standards. The Constructor shall also maintain existing lighting, or provide 

substitute lighting to the standard required by VRIOGS. 

k) A site construction plan shall be supplied by the Constructor and approved for use 

by the Infrastructure Manager or representative, and the VicTrack Network 




Maintenance Manager (where applicable); for the installation of all cable routes and 

equipment. Also refer to the requirements for the Site Construction plan as defined 

within this Standard. 

l) Existing in service asbestos type pits, trunking and associated enclosures shall not 

be utilised for new works. If asbestos items are encountered on site, and those 

items are not in the Infrastructure Manager’s Asbestos Register, then appropriate 

actions are to ensue to ensure that the assets are recorded in the register and either 

made safe or removed. 

m) Where fencing of the railway reserve prevents access to any signalling equipment, 

the Constructor shall modify the fence and supply and install an access gate. The 

Access gate is to match the existing fencing and maintain security. The Gate is to be 

secured and secured with a VRI -1P5P Infrastructure Manager type lock supplied by 

the Constructor. 

n) Cable routes shall not be installed in flood prone areas or located where inadequate 

drainage could lead to flooding. 

o) Damage to any service during construction activities shall be the total responsibility of 

the Constructor. 

4.2 Underground Services of Other Authorities 

a) The renewal area is likely to contain numerous existing buried services that are not 

fully documented. The location of all services within a one metre distance of any 

proposed installation work shall be determined prior to commencing the work. 

b) The Constructor shall be responsible for the identification and location of all buried 

services. 

c) The Constructor shall locate and check all below ground services prior to 

commencement of any excavation work and institute procedures that ensure 

services are not disturbed or damaged. 

d) The Constructor shall carry out any liaison and negotiations with the appropriate 

service and local authorities to determine where services such as; communications 

cables, electricity, water, gas, fuel and oil pipe lines are located on the property. 

Service call numbers such as 1100 “dial before you dig” for buried services 

locations; and 9619 1111 “VicTrack cable location” service shall be utilised, along 

with further service bodies and local authorities. These services shall all be clearly 

captured and marked on the cable route site plan. 

e) When working within 5 metres of operational telecommunications cables, the 

VicTrack Network Protection Plan TS-SP015 is to be followed. 

f) All investigative and similar like excavations to locate existing services shall be by 

the “non invasive method”, and only with prior approval of the Infrastructure 

Manager or the VicTrack Network Maintenance Manager (where applicable) 

g) Where power, telephone, water or sewerage, gas or other services exist in proposed 

cable routes, the following shall apply: 

i. Buried cable shall, if practicable, be laid 500 mm below the obstacle; or 

ii. 

Ground level troughing or PVC conduits shall be laid over the obstacle on a 

bed of clean fill with a minimum separation of 100mm and continue for 3 

metres on either side of the obstacle. 




4.3 Working Whilst Existing System is Operational 

a) Under no circumstances shall the Constructor interfere with any equipment that is 

operational without the prior approval of the Infrastructure Manager. 

b) Buried metal conduits, (water, gas, sewerage, etc) and metal armour on some high 

voltage cables are connected to the traction power supply return by means of 

“Electrolysis Bonds” at a number of points along the line. The Constructor shall 

ensure that electrolysis bonding connections or equipment are not damaged or 

disturbed. . 

c) Mechanical digging equipment shall not be utilised within 5 metres of an existing 

buried telecommunications service without the approval of the VicTrack Network 

Maintenance Manager (where applicable) When trenching alongside or across gas, 

water mains or service utility lines the Contractor shall comply with any restrictions 

that may apply to the easement and liaise with the owners of that easement to 

establish mutually agreed methods of protection and support for the services. 

d) The Constructor is responsible for rectifying any damage to services caused by the 

Constructor’s works. 

4.4 Cable Route Survey 

The Constructor shall make reference to plans supplied, and by field inspections become 

acquainted with the site conditions, and be aware of any local site difficulties. The 

Constructor shall prepare a construction site plan on which the railway line has been 

superimposed, and which complies with the following: 

a) The site plan shall show the most suitable location for the cable route, which shall 

have minimum changes in direction. 

b) During the site survey, the positioning of equipment shall be checked in accordance 

with the Track Circuit Bonding and Signalling Apparatus Plan, Signalling 

Arrangements Plan, Cable Running and Construction Plan. Any changes shall be 

recorded on these plans and updated and submitted with the “As- in- Service plans”. 

c) All proposed cable joints shall be indicated on the site construction plan and also the 

location of any associated cable jointing pits. 

d) Method of installation at all roads, occupation crossings and under line locations 

e) Determination of method as to whether is shall be open type excavation, boring, 

ploughing or other. 

4.5 Location of Cable Route 

a) In general the cable route shall be located as near as possible to the railway 

boundary. 

b) Cable routes shall be parallel to the running lines wherever possible. 

c) Except as otherwise specified, the main cable route shall be installed on one side of 

the track (except where there are four tracks or more, in which case the route may 

be split to run down each side when convenient) and shall cross the track the least 

possible number of times. Local cable routes shall be installed as required 

d) The cable route shall be located and installed so that it does not divert or interfere with 

any drainage (railway or natural) or underground services. Special care shall be taken 

to ensure that the route will not affect the stability of any embankment or cutting. 

e) Where large waterways, gullies or roadways under tracks are encountered the cable 

route may be fixed to available bridge structure using approved attachments. 

f) For small creeks and occasional waterways the cables shall be enclosed in conduits 

laid in trenches under the creek bed. 




g) Cable routes shall, where possible, be on the side of the tracks not occupied by high 

voltage earthed locations such as sub-stations, tie stations and transformer 

locations. 

h) Where possible cable routes shall be located at least 4 metres clear of the base of 

any bank or top of any bank or cutting. 

i) Cable routes under roadways shall be installed within the railway corridor whenever 

possible. 

j) Cable routes, pits and markers shall not be placed on access tracks or in positions 

where they may obstruct vehicles, or be subject to any form of damage. 

k) Alignment for trenching shall be not less than 4 metres from the outside running edge 

of the nearest rail and in accordance with the VRIOGS 0001 Structural Gauge 

Envelopes - Minimum clearances for Infrastructure adjacent to the Railway, unless 

approved by the Infrastructure Manager and clear of any other drainage pits or similar. 

l) GPS co-ordinates to an accuracy of ± 0.5 m shall be recorded every ten metres for 

the entire length of the cable route / trench, and at all changes of direction. This 

method shall also be utilised to capture all; 

i. Cable joint locations. 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

Cable pit locations. 

Under line crossings 

Under road crossings 

v. Other significant points of the cable route 

4.6 Cable Route Intersection with Access Roads 

a) Where a railway access road intersects with an area where buried cables are being 

installed, it shall be in accordance with; and as defined within this Standard. 

Generally no special arrangements are required at that location and backfilling shall 

be carried out in accordance with this Standard. 

b) Where the access road intersects with an above ground troughing route, the cables 

shall be run in buried pipes with pits each side of the roadway, in accordance with 

this Standard. 

c) Where the access road intersects with a GLT route, pipes and pits may be used or 

the GLT may be laid 300 mm below ground and be protected with a reinforced 

concrete slab backfill with stabilised concrete or stabilised sand, with the 

Infrastructure Manager’s approval. 

4.7 Types of Cable Route 

Cable Route Types are; 

a) Type 1 Cable buried directly in the ground (excluding communications cable) – 

refer Drawing No. 112000/5/4. 

b) Type 2 Cable buried directly in the ground (excluding communications cable) 

with one spare conduit buried over the cable to be accessed in future if 

required – refer Drawing No. 112000/5/4. 

c) Type 3 Cable buried directly in the ground (excluding communications cable) 

with one or more conduits buried over the cable and pits at regular 

intervals – refer Drawing No. 112000/5/4. 

d) Type 4 Cable buried in conduits with pits at regular intervals – refer Drawing No. 

112000/5/5. 

e) Type 5 Ground Level Troughing (GLT), 




i. Reinforced concrete troughing to AS1597, or 

ii. 

iii. 

Linear polyethylene – 2% Carbon Black (UV stabiliser) cable troughing with 

concrete or polyethylene lids. 

or other Infrastructure Manager type approved ducting / troughing 

f) Type 6 Galvanised Steel Troughing on posts or brackets (GST) 

g) Type 7 Galvanised Steel Ladder on Wall 

h) Type 8 Aluminium Ladder on Wall 

i) Type 9 Stainless Steel Ladder on Wall 

j) Type 10 Conduits or Pipes under road or conduits under track –refer Drawing No. 

112000/5/7 

k) Type 11 Cable buried directly in the ground – Shared and mixed services – refer 

Drawing No. 112000/5/8. 

l) Type 12 Cable buried in conduits with Signalling and Substation / Traction High 

Voltage services – refer Drawing No. 112000/5/9. 

m) Type 13 Cable within steel galvanised pipe 

Notes 

i. Types 3 to 12 inclusive are classed as “re-enterable” cable route. 

ii. 

Where cables are buried through station platforms, cable route Type 4 shall be 

used. 

iii. All Communications cabling shall be installed in conduit and a minimum of 

650 mm deep. (Note: communications cables are not permitted to be direct 

buried). 

n) Absolute minimum cover for direct buried cables shall be as follows; 

i. High voltage cabling 800 mm 

ii. 

iii. 

HV cabling when in a common trench with telecommunications if the HV has 

an approved cover strip installed above the HV cable. – 1050 mm 

HV cabling when in a common trench with telecommunications if the HV 

cable does not have an approved cover strip installed above the HV cable. - 

1200 mm 

iv. Low voltage cabling 600 mm 

v. Extra low voltage cabling 500 mm 

vi. Optical fibre cabling 900 mm 

vii. Air mains 400 mm 

4.8 Radius of Bends 

The smallest radius bend in any cable route shall be not less than the manufacturer’s 

recommended minimum radius, or as defined within this Standard and to cater for the 

largest cable to be installed in that route. 

4.9 Stability of Excavations 

a) Excavations in or near tracks, platforms or access roads shall be securely shored to 

prevent the sides of the excavation from collapsing. Battering and benching are 

suitable alternatives to shoring. 

b) All trenches shall be shored in compliance to the Occupational Health and Safety 

Act and Codes of Practice. 




c) Excavation work shall not commence in or near tracks, platforms or access roads 

until sufficient shoring material is available on site to shore up the excavations as 

the work progresses. 

4.10 Programming of Works 

a) As far as possible; all trenching, cable laying and backfilling shall be carried out 

progressively and concurrently so that trenches are open for the minimum time. 

b) Work shall be planned such that trenches are required to be kept open for a 

maximum of three (3) working days except for: 

i. trenches under or within 3 metres of operating tracks, or 

ii. 

iii. 

where the stability of the embankment and or formation is affected, or 

through sidings areas 

4.11 Public Safety 

a) To ensure the safety of the Public, suitable barricades shall be erected around 

excavations, or covers across excavations where continuous access is required 

across them, when work is not actually taking place. Barricades shall have a 

minimum height of 1 metre and barricades and covers shall comply with the 

Occupational Health and Safety Act. All sides of all excavations and trenches on the 

Rail Reserve shall be covered or protected by barriers on completion of each day's 

activities. 

b) Where trenches are covered by boarding as a temporary measure, the boarding 

shall be in accordance with AS 4687 Temporary Fencing and Hoardings. 

c) Excavation on platforms shall cause the minimum interference and risk to the public 

and train operations. 

d) Temporary covers shall be provided for trenches to allow access to trains, platform 

amenities and booking offices. At no time while train services are running shall 

access to or from the platform or to any part of a train be blocked. 

4.12 Placement of Spoil 

a) Spoil shall not be placed on ballast or foul of track gauge or access-ways. If spoil 

has to be temporarily placed on the track, tarpaulins, plywood or other suitable 

material shall be used to provide a barrier between the ballast and the spoil. 

b) Spoil placed between the rails whilst performing works; or within 1 metre from any 

rail shall not extend above the top of rail level. 

c) Spoil shall not be placed in a position where it could obstruct track drainage or be 

washed into track drains or onto the ballast during periods of heavy rain. 

d) Spoil shall not be placed in a position where it may damage or affect the operation 

of existing equipment (e.g. mechanical point and signalling control rodding or wires, 

cable routes, power operated points, trainstops etc.). 

e) Spoil shall not impede the safe and unrestricted access for train drivers and others 

to signal telephones or other equipment, and this access shall be maintained at all 

times. 

f) Spoil and excavated materials shall not be stockpiled on platforms unless with prior 

agreement with the Infrastructure Manager. 

4.13 Blasting 

NO blasting shall be undertaken without written permission from the relevant statutory 

authorities and permission from the Infrastructure Manager. 




SECTION 5.0 CABLE ROUTE MARKER POSTS, CABLE JOINT 

MARKER POSTS AND EQUIPMENT PROTECTION 

RAIL POSTS 

5.1 Equipment Protection Rail Posts 

a) Protection Rail Posts shall be provided and installed by the Constructor at the 

following locations; 

i. In accordance with Plan STD R0016 Signal Equipment Service Area typical 

clearances, and general requirements 

ii. 

iii. 

At pits on two (2) diagonal corners to identify the location of the pit and to 

protect the pit from vehicular traffic 

At locations where signalling and associated infrastructure is in danger of 

being damaged by vehicular traffic or similar 

b) The rail protection posts (or other Infrastructure Manager approved structure) shall 

be painted white and extending not less than 800 mm both above and below ground 

level. 

c) The protection posts can also be utilised as either cable route markers or cable joint 

markers and shall be manufactured in accordance with drawing numbers STD 

G0003 and STD G0004. 

5.2 Cable Route Markers and Cable Joint Markers 

a) Cable route markers shall be supplied and installed by the Constructor at the 

following locations: 

i. At points of entering and leaving the VicTrack property line or where 

impractical (due to tenancy leases) the Rail Reserve. 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

At angles or spurs from the straight route. 

At all drains or other points of hazard. 

At such spacing that, from any marker the adjacent marker on either side is 

readily visible, with a maximum spacing of 200 metres in open country or 

100 metres in closer settled or highly timbered areas. 

b) The markers shall be mounted on rail posts (or other Infrastructure Manager 

approved structure) painted white and extending not less than 800 mm both above 

and below ground level. Cable route markers shall be manufactured in accordance 

with drawing numbers STD G0003 and STD G0004.The marker plates are to be 

fixed to the clean surface of the rail post by construction adhesive or similar 

permanent fixing. 

c) The cable route marker shall show by means of engraving on the plate the depth of 

the installed signalling cable and the signalling cable route offset from the nearest 

rail. Cable route markers installed for trenches that contain only telecommunications 

cables will show the offset from the cable route marker. 

d) Buried cable joints or joints in pits shall be indicated by rail posts (or other 

Infrastructure Manager approved structure) painted yellow and extending not less 

than 800 mm above and below ground level. 




e) Cable route markers shall be placed beside the trench and not directly over it. And 

shall remain close to fences or fixed objects where possible and be positioned so 

that they are unlikely to damaged by track maintenance or other vehicles. The cable 

route markers shall not obstruct footpaths, walkways or vehicle access ways. 

f) The Constructor shall prepare a plan in tabulation format to record the offset 

distance of the centre line of the buried cable trench to the inside running edge of 

the nearest rail. The plan shall be issued prior to the commencement of trenching 

operations and offset distances shall be recorded as the work progresses. The data 

shall be transferred to the final signalling drawings for incorporation into the final “as 

in service and constructed” signal book of drawings. Measurements shall depict the 

depth of the installed cabling. The location of all cable joints shall be recorded in the 

exact same manner as for the cable route, and shall be shown in a tabulation format 

and also on all cable running plans. 

g) In station and yard areas the cable route markers shall be mounted on posts with 

500 mm protrusion above ground (or on an adjacent fence line where available). In 

all other areas markers shall be mounted on posts with 800mm protrusion above 

ground. 

h) In station or yard areas they shall not obstruct footpaths, walkways or vehicle 

access ways. 

i) Cable route markers shall be placed close to a fence or other fixed structure and in 

such a position that they are not likely to be run over by track maintenance or other 

vehicles. 

j) Cable route marker signs may be installed on Overhead Wiring Structures where 

approved. The bonding agent used to attach the marker to the structure shall not 

cause deleterious effects to the structure or its protective coating and shall be a type 

approved product. 




SECTION 6.0 BURIED CABLE ROUTE (CABLE ROUTE TYPES 1, 

2, 3, 4) 

6.1 General 

a) The excavation of trenches, backfilling and compaction shall be carried out in 

accordance with this Standard. 

b) To avoid the need to re-open cable trenches, main and local cables shall be 

installed in buried cable areas at the same time. 

c) Airlines may be included in the trench alongside the cables 

d) Vertical and Horizontal separation of all cables and services shall comply with this 

Standard. 

6.2 Depth of Cable Route 

a) Cables and conduit buried in ground shall have a minimum cover of 800 mm from 

the cable or topmost conduit to natural ground level. 

b) The top of cables and conduit buried in the track formation shall be a minimum of 

1200 mm below rail level. 

c) Where cables are to be installed in ULX and URX conduits the provisions of this 

Standard shall apply. 

6.3 Protective Cover over Signalling and Communications Cables 

a) To provide mechanical protection to signalling, communications and power cables 

the Constructor shall provide a separate cover strip covering all the cables 

(minimum cover width of 150 mm). 

b) The cover strip shall be placed on top of the cables and overlap the cables by not 

less than 50 mm on each side as shown on Drawing No. 112000/5/4. 

c) The protective cover shall be no closer than 75 mm above the cable/s and shall 

comply to AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules 

6.4 PVC Cable Marker Tape in Trenches 

a) 150mm wide orange coloured PVC "DANGER RAILWAY SIGNALLING CABLES" 

marker tape shall be installed in all trenches 300 mm below ground level as shown 

on Drawing Nos. 112000/5/4 and 112000/5/5 except where cables are permitted in 

shallow trenches due to rock, etc. when the depth of the marker tape shall be not 

less than 100mm above the protective cover over any cables/conduits. 

6.5 Rock Areas 

a) In areas where rock is encountered, the cables shall be laid on a clean bed of sand 

100 mm thick. (Drawing No. 112000/5/6) 

b) The depth of cables in rock and shale areas shall normally be at least 600 mm to 

cover strip or conduit except that in areas of unbroken rock a reduction in depth to 

300 mm may be permitted. 

c) The final 150 mm of fill of trenches in rock areas shall be stabilised sand, or 

concrete (minimum 25Mpa) if in vehicle access roads. 




6.6 Cable and Conduit Ploughing 

a) Cable and Conduit Ploughing shall only be utilised for signalling and 

communications installation works with approval from the Infrastructure Manager. 

6.7 Buried Conduits 

a) Conduits shall be rigid UPVC or other Infrastructure Manager approved product 

types and all joints performed using the manufacturer's recommended jointing 

methods. 

b) The wall thickness (or class) of conduit shall be sufficient to guarantee that there will 

be no loss of cross sectional area and that there will be less than 10% loss of 

diameter in any direction during or after backfilling, boring, ploughing or pulling. 

c) The minimum diameter of conduits shall be at least three (3) times the outside 

diameter of the cable to be pulled through the conduit with a minimum of 50 mm 

diameter. 

d) The number of conduits to be provided in ULX's, URX's and under access roads will 

depend on the cable route requirements in that area but provision shall be made for 

the following, as applicable. 

e) Signalling and power cables shall be in separate conduits to communication cables. 

f) High voltage cable shall be in a separate conduit to signalling or communications 

cable. 

g) Each 1 kv, 2 kv, 6.6 kv or other high voltage cable shall be in a separate conduit, 

with separation distances in accordance with Australian Standard AS3000 and 

VicTrack Cable Installation Specification TS-SP-013. 

h) Unless otherwise approved, fibre optical cable shall be in a separate conduit. 

i) Air lines shall be in a separate conduit. 

j) Except for directionally bored ULX’s and URX’s; conduits shall be laid parallel and 

level in a consistent format in the trench and secured in that position, then carefully 

compacted with clean fill to hold them in their desired position. 

k) The minimum cover to the upper most section of the conduits shall be as follows: 

i. Station platforms, non vehicular areas: 300 mm. 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

Pedestrian access ways: 450 mm (ACMA requirement) 

Heavy vehicular areas: 650 mm. 

Rail reserve and station areas: 650 mm 

v. Access roads where conduits are less than 650 mm below surface level, the 

final 150 mm of fill shall be concrete (25Mpa). 

l) Rigid UPVC conduits used for protection of cables shall be white for communication 

cable and white with a continuous black marking line for air mains. Orange conduits 

shall be used for other cabling. 

m) A draw wire of 6 mm polypropylene blue/yellow or similar rope shall be placed in 

each conduit and suitably anchored at each end. Conduit ends shall be sealed using 

conduit end caps or an approved equivalent to prevent the ingress of dirt or sludge 

into the conduits. 

n) All cables installed under rail lines shall be enclosed in conduits. The requirements 

for installing conduits and pipes under tracks are further specified in AS4799 

“Installation of underground utility services and pipe lines within railway areas”. The 

preferred installation is by boring or jacking of conduits under tracks. 




o) All conduits under rail lines shall be at a minimum depth of 1200 mm below head of 

rail level. This depth shall be maintained for a distance of 3 metres from the nearest 

rail. If site restrictions are such that this cannot be achieved, or the conduit extends 

into a platform area, then the proposed solution for each instance is to be approved 

by the Infrastructure Manager for signalling conduits works, and the VicTrack 

Network Maintenance Manager for telecommunications conduit works. 

p) The Constructor shall remove any excess spoil from the reserve. 

q) All excavations for under rail lines, under roadways, through station platforms, 

between rail lines, through waterways shall be backfilled and compacted with 

progressive 150 mm thick layers of “A” grade 20 mm crushed rock or in accordance 

to the Infrastructure Managers Standard. 

r) All existing pathways should be reinstated to original conditions and be compliant to 

all current VRIOGS standards. 

s) All PVC Conduits that extend above the ground shall be painted silver to prevent 

degradation by the sun and located to protect from mechanical damage, or use rigid 

UPVC conduits. Where damage is likely; galvanised steel conduits or suitable 

protection for the conduit shall be used in accordance with AS/NZ 3000. 

t) Unless otherwise specified; in the Metropolitan area for open type excavations the 

minimum number of 100 mm diameter PVC conduits that may be installed shall be: 

i. Major under track 4 orange and 2 white. 

ii. Minor under track 3 orange and 1 white. 

iii. Under road 4 orange and 2 white. 

iv. Through railway station platforms 4 orange and 2 white. 

v. Main Trenches 4 orange and 2 white. 

u) Unless otherwise specified; in the Metropolitan Electrified area for sleeved or bored 

type applications the minimum number of 100 mm diameter PVC conduits that may 

be installed shall be: 


ii. Minor under track 2 orange and 1 white 


iv. Through railway station platforms 4 orange and 2 white. 

v. Main Trenches 4 orange and 2 white 

v) Unless otherwise specified; in the Regional areas for excavated, sleeved or bored 

type applications the minimum number of 100 mm diameter PVC conduits that may 

be installed shall be: 


ii. Minor under track 2 orange and 1 white 


iv. Through railway station platforms 3 orange and 1 white 

v. Main Trenches 3 orange and 1 white 




w) Where conduits are utilised for the extent of a main cable route; cable pits are to be 

installed at no greater than 300 metres apart and nominally 150 metres, and be 

capable of allowing a person to enter the actual pit. Conduit quantities and sizes 

within the main cable route are to comply with those within this Standard. 

x) Where conduits are to be provided for entry into signal equipment rooms, signal 

equipment huts and as related to this specification; there shall be a cable pit 

installed outside that building for entry to within that building. This cable pit shall 

cater for all conduits required for the works, for future capacity and all other cabling 

and conduits requirements within this specification. 

y) Spigot type or bell mouth fittings shall be used on all conduits; during cable 

installations to ensure that cabling is not damaged during installations. 

z) All conduits, used or not, shall be appropriately sealed to prevent water and rodent 

entry into the pit/s. 

6.8 Capping of conduits 

a) All spare conduits shall be capped after installation using UPVC caps, or equivalent 

to prevent the possibility of stray materials entering the conduits. 

6.9 Method of joining conduits 

a) All conduit joints shall be by utilising the spigot and socket ends. 

b) The ends to be joined shall be thoroughly cleaned using a conduit manufacturer 

approved solvent. The ends, both spigots and socket shall be coated with a conduit 

manufacturer approved adhesive and the joint then completed 

6.10 Direction of laying conduits 

a) The orientation of the spigot and socket ends of the conduit forming the pits is 

critical in providing for smooth and safe cable pulling and installation works 

b) Where cables are to be pulled into relay rooms and other similar enclosures, all 

spigot ends must face these enclosures. 

6.11 Draw wires in conduits 

a) Spare conduits shall be cleaned, fitted with a draw wire of 6mm polypropylene 

blue/yellow rope or similar approved draw wire. 

b) The draw wire shall be continuous for the complete length of the conduit run 

c) The draw wire shall have a minim of 2 metres of slack within each and every pit 

along the conduit run, and shall be suitably anchored at each end of the conduit run 

and then sealed with proprietary end caps to prevent the ingress of dirt, etc. 

d) The draw wire shall be restrained in each pit to prevent it being inadvertently pulled 

into the conduit/s. 




6.12 Spare Buried Conduits 

a) Spare conduits shall be supplied and installed with the following detailed minimum 

requirements, and all spare conduits are the minimum spare conduits to be 

provided after all cables have been installed: 

i. Minor under rail line – One 100 mm orange conduit and one 100 mm white 

conduit; 

ii. 

iii. 

Major under rail line, under roadway and through a station platform – Three 

100 mm orange PVC conduits or 25% of the total number of conduits, 

whichever is the greater, and also one 100 mm white conduit. 

Main Trenches- Three 100 mm orange PVC conduits or 25% of the number of 

conduits, whichever is the greater, and also one 100 mm white conduit. 

b) In addition to the requirements specified above, the below shall also be considered 

for all conduit installations; 

i. Type 2 One 100 mm orange conduit and one 100 mm white conduit 

ii. Type 3 Two 100 mm orange conduits and one 100 mm white conduit or 25% 

of the number of conduits whichever is the greater. 

iii. 

iv. 

Type 4 Three 100 mm orange conduits and one 100 mm white conduit or 

25% of the number of conduits whichever is the greater. 

In determining the number of spare conduits to be provided based upon the 

percentage of conduits, reference shall be made only to the resultant whole 

number and fractions shall be ignored. 

v. All spare conduits shall be tested for correct diameter by pulling a plug of a 

diameter 90% of the internal conduit diameter through the conduit after 

installation, backfilling and compaction. 

vi. 

vii. 

Where Type 2 or 3 routes is specified; the spare conduit(s) shall be laid over 

the cover strip as shown on Drawing No. 112000/5/4. 

Where Type 4 route is specified the spare conduits shall be laid over the other 

conduits as shown on Drawing No. 112000/5/5. 

6.13 Conduits in Platforms and Other Paved Areas 

a) Conduits shall be arranged in fixed format for the full length of the platform or paved 

area and shall be supported so that backfilling will not disturb the format. 

b) Where only pedestrian traffic is involved the depth of the conduits from the top of the 

trench to the top of the highest layer of conduits shall be not less than 300 mm. 

c) Where motor vehicles can run over the surface the conduits shall be buried not less 

than 300 mm and a reinforced concrete slab (25Mpa), minimum 150 mm thick and 

overlapping the conduits by 300 mm each side shall be provided immediately under 

the pavement surface material. 

d) Cable pits for cable pulling purposes shall be provided in platforms in accordance 

with this Standard. 

e) Where new railway station platforms are constructed or existing railway station 

platforms are required to be excavated; there shall be PVC conduits and cable pits 

installed for the length of the excavation within the platform central area and at least 

300mm deep. Conduits required are 100 mm PVC 4 orange and 2 white, and cable 

pits located no further than 60 metres apart and quantities as defined within this 

Standard. 




6.14 Conduits in High Voltage Areas 

a) Where communications cables are required to be run into high voltage earthed 

locations such as sub-stations, tie stations and transformer locations, these shall be 

looped into and out of the locations and be protected by conduits. 

b) An 'earth mat' is provided around high voltage locations as part of the earth 

protection arrangements for the high voltage installations. All cables (signalling and 

communications) to be installed within 20 metres of the earth mat shall be run in 

conduits. Details of the extent of the earthing arrangements around each high 

voltage installation will be provided by the Traction Substation Engineer. 

c) Existing high voltage earthing arrangements shall not be disturbed under any 

circumstances. 

6.15 Back Filling 

a) Trenches and excavations on platforms, access roads, pathways, under or adjacent 

to rail lines and embankments shall be compacted and the original surface 

reinstated. 

b) In areas where it is not possible to be accessed by the public or rail staff, 

compaction of backfill with a mechanical vibrator is not required. In this case the 

Constructor shall backfill all trenches and excavations by an appropriate means and 

leaves the area free of obstruction and depressions except for a slight mound over 

the excavation area to provide for further settlement. 

c) Conduits and cables shall be encased in clean fill to 50 mm above the uppermost 

conduit or cable. 

d) Whenever excavation of the track formation occurs the formation shall be restored 

with compacted stabilised sand to the top of the capping layer. Any geotechnical 

fabric encountered during excavation shall be replaced with like material, which 

overlaps the original by at least 300 mm. 

e) Ballast shall not be replaced until the trench or excavation has been filled and 

compacted level with the top of the capping layer. 

f) Where the buried conduit or cable is located in areas other than track formation, 

platforms, access roads or pathways, the trench above the clean fill shall be filled 

with material free of broken concrete, brick, rubble, wood, glass, rubbish, steel or 

other metallic objects that could damage the cable or effect the operation of a 

electronic cable locators and shall be free of stones that will not pass through a 30 

mm sieve. 

g) The top 150 mm at least of fill in access roads or pathways, which are not sealed, 

shall consist of material, which as closely as possible matches that in the road or 

pathway surface in both texture and density. The fill shall be compacted as 

necessary to achieve matching density. Where the road or path is sealed, the trench 

shall be capped with the same material to the same thickness as the original seal. 

Any substrate or capping layer below the seal shall also be matched. 

h) Surface drains shall be reinstated during the backfilling operations. 

i) The backfilling of the excavations will normally take up the majority of the spoil. 

However, any surplus spoil or unsuitable fill shall be removed for disposal at an 




appropriate agreed location and not spread over the site. 

j) Prior to any issue of the Certificates for Practical Completion or similar, all backfilled 

trenches and excavations shall be examined and any depressions caused by 

settlement or erosion of the backfilling shall be corrected and the cause of the 

erosion rectified. 

6.16 Compaction 

a) Under no circumstances is the cable trench to be compacted by driving excavating 

machinery or other vehicles along the trench. 

b) In paved areas there shall be a certain amount of moisture evenly spread through 

the surface material. Water shall be added by spraying it with a hose until moist. 

c) For trenches and excavations on platforms, access roads, pathways, under or 

adjacent to rail lines, shunting yards and base of embankments, the fill shall have 

minimum relative compaction to AS3798 using an approved mechanical vibrator. 

The first 150 mm of fill over cover strips or conduits shall be carefully compacted to 

ensure that the cover strips / conduits are not disturbed. 

d) Trenches and other excavations in the track formation, platforms, roads, pathways, 

through shunting yards or at the base of embankments shall be: 

i. Compacted by mechanical means to achieve 95% Standard Compaction in 

accordance with AS1289, and 

ii. 

iii. 

Filled and compacted in layers of 150 mm maximum thickness to achieve the 

specified density. 

Tests shall be performed to establish the backfill compaction levels achieved. 

The tests shall be taken on a frequency of one (1) test per 200 linear metres 

per layer or one (1) test per area per layer where any area of excavation is 

less than 200 metres long. Audit testing of soil compaction at all levels may be 

carried out by the Regional Representative and due allowance for any 

interference caused by this testing shall be made. 

e) Where backfill does not achieve the required density, it shall be re-excavated to 

within 200 mm of the cover strips and/or conduits and re-filled and compacted 

correctly. 

f) Following compaction, the trench or excavation shall be finished with a slight 

mound, height equal to approximately 25% of trench width, to provide for further 

settlement. 

6.17 Buried Cable Routes through Water Courses 

a) For small creeks and occasional waterways the cables shall be enclosed in conduits 

laid in trenches not less than 1 metre under the creek bed. The conduits shall be 

covered to a minimum depth of 300mm with porous bags filled with stabilised sand 

and the remainder of the trench then filled to the top with approved heavy grade 

hardcore fill. 

b) The conduits on creek banks shall be laid at a gentle slope in grooves in the bank so 

that the conduits have a minimum cover of 800 mm. The conduits in the banks shall 

be secured in position with suitable anchors and covered with porous bags filled with 

stabilised sand and topped with other suitable fill to protect the conduits and prevent 

erosion of the banks. 

c) Every effort shall be made to avoid placing the conduits in any part of the bank 

where obvious erosion has been taking place. If this cannot be avoided stabilisation 

of the bank on each side of the trench shall be provided. 




d) The buried conduits shall be extended past the edge of the creek banks a minimum 

of 4 metres on either side of the creek or waterway. The minimum depth of the 

whole of this conduit run shall be 800 mm. 

6.18 Cable Routes on Embankments 

a) The proposed methods for installing cable routes up or down embankments shall be 

submitted for approval to the Infrastructure Manager, and shall be compliant with 


b) The methods proposed shall be such that there will be no destabilising of the 

embankment and no erosion in the vicinity of the route. 

6.19 Cable Routes on Bridges and Viaducts 

a) The proposed methods for installing cable routes on bridges shall be submitted for 

approval to the Infrastructure Manager. 

b) The methods proposed shall be such that there will adequate capacity for future 

cabling requirements, and all provisions of this Standard shall be complied with; 

separation and segregation of the various services, access and egress for 

maintenance purposes, installation methods. 

c) Suggested appropriate cable route types being; Type 4 conduits and pits, Type 5 

ground level troughing (GLT), Type 6 Galvanised steel Troughing (GST). 




SECTION 7.0 GROUND LEVEL TROUGHING CABLE ROUTE 

(CABLE ROUTE TYPE 5) 

7.1 General 

The following general requirements shall apply to Ground Level Troughing: 

a) Cable troughing shall be type approved and include; 

i. Reinforced concrete troughing to AS1597, or 

ii. 

iii. 

Linear polyethylene – 2% Carbon Black (UV stabiliser) cable troughing with 

concrete or polyethylene lids. 

Refer to drawing 112000 / 5 / 19 for Preferred Type 5 Ground Level Troughing 

(GLT) 

b) GLT shall be checked to ensure that it is properly cured and robust in its structure 

and manufactured to accurate measurements to facilitate interlocking of units and 

the fittings of lids. 

c) The GLT shall be of such a size that there shall be a minimum of 25% spare 

capacity after all cables have been installed to allow for some future use. 

d) If the addition of proposed new cabling will result in the spare capacity being less 

than 10% then a new GLT run shall be installed or an alternative installation method 

needs to be adopted. 

e) Where existing GLT is near full capacity, investigations shall be carried out to 

ascertain whether any of the cables are redundant and could be removed, as this 

will free up space. 

f) Multi compartment troughing shall be provided when services are shared with 

communications cable unless otherwise approved by the Infrastructure Manager. 

Where multi compartment troughing is used, separate compartments shall be used 

for; 

i. Communication cables 

ii. 

iii. 

Signalling cables 

High Voltage cables 

g) Where separate compartments are not used; the LV cables and Communication 

cables should be run in separate conduits or sub-ducts in the GLT. HV cables 

require 300 mm minimum separation to copper communications cables if there is no 

physical barrier between them. 

h) The separation requirements between copper communications cables and high 

voltage power cables requires that there be a minimum of 300 mm separation for 

the entire route if there is no permanent fixed barrier between them, regardless of 

whether the cables are in conduit or not; if there is a permanent fixed barrier 

between the cables then the separation required is a minimum of 175 mm measured 

between the sheath or outer conduit surface of each cable across the barrier, as 

well as meeting a minimum radial separation of 150 mm. The method of ensuring 

the cable separation is to be proposed to the Infrastructure Manager and the 

VicTrack Network Maintenance Manager for approval prior to the installation of the 

GLT and/or cables/conduits. 

i) Care shall be taken in the construction of a GLT route on banks and sloping sites to 

ensure that the supporting ground does not erode during periods of rain. 

j) GLT routes shall be laid as level and straight as possible, and with relation to either 

natural ground level, or to rail level and dependant on GLT installation site. 

k) GLT shall not be installed where it may be subjected to vehicular traffic unless 




approved by the Infrastructure Manager ( should this be the case then the trough 

and lid shall be capable of carrying a load of 4.5 tonnes as a minimum over a 

contact area of 100 mm x 300 mm applied to any part of the lid.) 

l) Alignment for the GLT route should be outside the clearance limits of the minimum 

structure gauge detailed in VRIOGS 0001 Structural Gauge Envelopes-Minimum 

clearances for Infrastructure adjacent to the Railway. However small ground level 

troughing as used for local equipment access may encroach into the clearance 

diagram dimensions, provided it is installed so that is does not become an 

impediment to rail sleeper maintenance. Infringements to these limits require 

approval by the Infrastructure Manager. 

m) Where the communication cable is in conduit or separated by a permanent rigid 

barrier, the separation to HV cables shall be 150 mm minimum horizontal separation 

with the minimum distance from sheath to sheath around the barrier being 175mm. 

and in accordance to AS/ACIF S009. 

n) Air mains installed in GLT shall be laid above the signalling cable. 

o) Signalling fibre optical cables do not require separation from power cables, however 

it is recommended that the optical fibre cables be installed in separate conduits 

where possible, or in subduct within the power conduit, GLT or trunking in order to 

provide mechanical protection. 

p) For directional changes of 45 degrees or greater in GLT, the change shall be made 

using turning chambers. 

q) Where there is a need to provide an enlarged enclosure for cable joining, air 

reservoir, etc, such enclosures are to be constructed of reinforced concrete, 

maintaining a fixed concrete partition for separation of services. The GLT is to butt 

the enclosure squarely sealing all joints. Expanded chambers (which may be 

fabricated from 6 mm galvanised chequered plates) shall have their lids cut to 

required size. 

r) All cut edges of galvanised plate shall be de-burred and painted to protect from 

corrosion. Galvanised steel lids shall be secured. 

s) GLT shall have the means to enable bottom entries or exits. 

t) For side entry/exit, an access hole may be cut into the side wall. The cutting angle 

shall not exceed 45 degrees, so that a minimum cable bending radius is maintained. 

Sharp edges shall be removed and the access sealed and cables protected after 

cables are in place using an enclosure or approved sealant. 

u) GLT of any type construction shall not be installed under rail lines 

v) Concrete troughing shall be accurately manufactured to enable each segment to 

interlock securely with each other and lids to fit securely on the top of the troughing 

without rocking. 

w) Where GLT is being installed near a running line it shall be positioned such that it 

will not obstruct or be likely to be damaged by, the removal and replacement of 

railway sleepers. 

x) GLT to be installed within 3 metres of the face of the nearest running rail shall be 

installed such that the top of the GLT lid is not higher than 200 mm below the 

underside of adjacent sleepers. 

7.2 Troughing Route Capacity 

a) One or more troughs shall be installed to provide the necessary capacity to 

accommodate the cables and shall provide 25% spare capacity, in each 

compartment of the trough, to provide for future requirements. 




7.3 Drainage 

a) In the installation of GLT special care is necessary to ensure that track and other 

drainage on the Infrastructure Managers property is not affected. Ramps over 

drains, ducts and conduits under the GLT route shall be provided as directed and 

approved. 

b) During installation of GLT, care shall be taken to ensure that track and other 

drainage is not affected. In particular GLT shall not act as a drain. When GLT acts 

as a barrier to water, then transverse drainage ducts of not less than 100 cm 2 cross 

section shall be installed under the troughing at not greater than ten (10) metre 

intervals. These shall be located at vantage points to enable the quick dispersal of 

storm water. 

c) Drainage ducts may be constructed from inverted GLT, pre-cast concrete box drains 

or PVC or High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) conduits. 

7.4 Lids or Cover 

a) The GLT lids shall be installed after all the cables are laid, otherwise the lids shall be 

fitted as the GLT laying progresses. 

b) The GLT shall be thoroughly cleaned prior to installing lids. 

c) If the GLT is in the vicinity of pedestrian walkways, etc, the Constructor may be 

required to fit the lids as the work progresses and reopen the GLT when required for 

cable laying. 

d) After the cables are laid all cable entry points to GLT shall be sealed with an 

approved compound to prevent the entry of rodents and vermin. If the laying of 

cables is not part of the construction of the cable route contract, the cable laying 

Constructor shall be responsible for sealing the cable entries and refitting the lids 

after cable laying. 

e) Where PVC air lines are installed in GLT these shall be laid on top of the signalling 

cables. 

f) GLT covers or lids that cross over, or might be expected to be used as pathways, 

are to be built to a suitable standard as agreed by the Infrastructure Manager, for 

inclusion as part of a pathway. 

g) Where GLT is being installed adjacent to or across pathways, the top surface should 

be of suitable strength and of a non-slip finish to allow its use for pedestrian traffic. 

The installation works must not render a pathway unsafe for use, and if so then 

alternate access to at least the standard of the existing pathway must be provided. 

h) GLT shall have reinforced lids interlocked with the trough. Individual lids should not 

weigh any more than 25kgs. The final fitting of lids shall not take place until a cable 

inspection by the Infrastructure Manager or their Representative has been 

completed. 

i) Polyethylene GLT shall have the lids secured to the trough by galvanised metal 

screws. There shall be a minimum of six screws per lid (3 per side). 

j) Lids are not to be left off the installed polyethylene GLT for any extended period due 

to the risk of ground pressure pushing in the sides of the GLT making it difficult to fit 

the lids properly. 

k) Concrete troughing shall be fitted with lids and “RAILWAY SIGNAL AND 

COMMUNICATIONS CABLES” embossed on the top of all lids in letters not less 

than 50 mm high and 5 mm deep. 




SECTION 8.0 GALVANISED STEEL TROUGHING (CABLE ROUTE 

TYPE 6) 

8.1 General 

a) Galvanised steel troughing is the least preferred method of cable route construction 

and shall be used only where there is no viable alternative. 

b) GST shall be constructed from steel, hot dip galvanised to Australian Standard 1650 

with a coating mass equal to Z430 or better. 

c) In restricted areas, and only where clearance limitations demand it, such as in 

tunnels and along platform walls, slim-line cable ladders may be used in lieu of the 

steel troughing. 

d) Cable jointing bays shall be provided as required to ensure that there is no net 

reduction in trough capacity where cable joints occur and the bays shall be 

supported to prevent any deflection or twist of the jointing bay or cable route. 

e) Steel troughing on walls or in tunnels shall not obstruct access to staff refuge 

recesses. 

f) Galvanised steel troughing shall only be used with the prior approval of the 

Infrastructure Manager) and this shall be confined to areas where it is not practical 

to bury cable or install surface troughing, such as for cable routes across bridges 

and culverts. 

g) Galvanised steel troughing shall be constructed from three metre lengths of 

galvanised steel troughing sizes specified as: 

i. 150 mm (w) x 150 mm (d) 

ii. 

iii. 

300 mm (w) x 150 mm (d) 

450 mm (w) x 150 mm (d) 

h) The GST shall be of such a size that there shall be a minimum of 25% spare 

capacity after all cables have been installed to allow for some future use. If the 

addition of proposed new cabling will result in the spare capacity being less than 

10%; then a new trunking run is to be installed or an alternative installation method 

needs to be adopted. 

i) Where existing GST is near 100% capacity, investigations should be carried out to 

ascertain whether any of the cables are redundant and could be removed, as this 

will free up space. 

j) All cut edges of troughing and lids or conduits shall be de-burred prior to galvanising 

or painting. 

k) Custom made troughing of mild steel is allowed for headers for connecting to 

underground conduits. When provided it shall be galvanised or with the 

Infrastructure Manager’s approval be painted with rust proof undercoat and two 

coats of aluminium/Alkyd resin base paint. The undercoat shall be applied 

immediately after welding. All welds shall be cleaned prior to undercoat. 

l) GST and its mounting brackets crossing or passing metal conduits containing 

flammable agents shall maintain minimum rigid spacing of 25 mm. 

m) To achieve separation of Communication cables, signalling and HV signal power 

cables, separate GST troughs shall be provided on the same post. The troughs for 

communication cables shall be mounted on the top of the post and the troughs for 

signalling and HV cables shall be side mounted in accordance with PTC Drawing 

No. MS96 / 0083. It must be ensured that the separation between the bottom of the 

communications trough and the top of the HV trough is greater than 150 mm. 




n) GST shall be supported on galvanised steel, concrete posts or bracketed to walls or 

structures as provided for in this specification. 

o) GST support brackets & fittings shall be of sufficient strength to fully support a full 

capacity load. They shall be fully protected from corrosion by hot galvanised dip. 

Brackets and fittings shall not be in contact with or be attached to overhead 

structures. 

p) All GST shall be made continuous by the use of joining sleeves, and these sleeves 

shall be installed midpoint between the trunking support posts. 

q) Free standing supports: 

i. Supporting posts shall be set at 3 metre intervals standing vertical. 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

Every tenth post shall be constructed of steel (for earthing purposes) 

The minimum depth of post holes shall be the greater of 400 mm or one third 

of the total length of the post. 

In unstable ground, posts shall be concreted into the ground for their entire 

buried length. 

v. GST support posts can be reinforced concrete, galvanised steel channel 

sections or reclaimed rail with a minimum length of 800 mm. 

r) The minimum height from ground level to bottom of the lowest trough on a post line 

shall be 400 mm. 

s) The maximum height from ground level shall be determined on the site survey, and 

generally be not higher than 1800 mm (above water courses, etc). 

t) Where existing GST is to be utilised by the Constructor, the Constructor shall 

restore the GST to a suitable standard by replacing any damaged, corrugated or 

missing sections and realigning the support posts. 

u) All altered or new GST shall be designed and constructed to prevent the entry of 

vermin. 

v) Where track access is required; the GST shall be lowered to ground level and all 

cabling either installed in conduits and pits as per this Standard, or in GLT with 

protection from vehicular traffic (suitably sized and thickness one piece constructed 

steel plates fastened securely to the GLT and as acceptable to the Infrastructure 

Manager. 

w) The Constructor should consider proposed troughing so that it does not interfere 

with access pathways. Should GST cross any access pathway, then suitable 

arrangements should be included to enable continuous access across the troughing 

as it is installed and after completion. 

x) The installation works must not render a pathway unsafe for use, and if so then 

alternate access to at least the standard of the existing pathway must be provided. 

8.2 Troughing on Bridges, Viaducts or in Tunnels 

a) Where necessary, and subject to the Infrastructure Manager approval, a GST cable 

route may be attached to the structures of bridges and viaducts. However, the 

bridge or viaduct structures shall not be drilled, cut, bent, welded or otherwise 

deformed to effect such an attachment. Suitable clips shall be provided for securing 

brackets to bridge metalwork and all bolts shall have self-locking nuts. 

b) Concrete bridges or viaducts shall not be drilled to fix brackets to the structure 

without approval. 

c) Where approval is granted to fasten to concrete bridges or viaducts, troughing 

and/or brackets shall be affixed using stainless steel chemical anchors of 12 mm 

diameter and 75 mm minimum anchoring depth. Expanding masonry anchors shall 




not be used. 

d) All attachment bolts shall have self locking nuts. 

e) Troughing brackets shall have resilient rubber mountings installed to prevent 

vibration damage. 

f) Concrete bridges and viaducts shall not be drilled unless prior written approval has 

been given by the Infrastructure Manager. 

g) GST shall be made continuous by the use of joining sleeves. Jointing may be 

welded, sleeved and bolted or riveted. Bolts or rivet heads shall be installed from the 

inside of the trough to prevent damage to cables. 

h) GST lids shall have galvanised chains welded between the lids and the troughing, 

and as a minimum three (3) chains per lid with chain being a minimum diameter of 

six (6) mm and a length of 200 mm each chain. 

i) Under no circumstance shall troughing obstruct access to staff refuge recesses on 

bridges and viaducts or in tunnels. 

8.3 Wall Mounted Troughing 

a) In tunnels, on platform faces and retaining walls where clearance is limited, the 

minimum distance above rail level shall be 300 mm, but when restrictions apply due 

to clearances, the troughing may be at rail level, and subject to approval by the 

Infrastructure Manager. 

b) No steel surfaces shall be installed directly on soil and GLT shall be utilised if 

troughing is to be installed at ground level. 

c) All troughing shall be made continuous by use of joining sleeves, and these sleeves 

installed midpoint between the trunking supports. 

d) Maximum height for mounting troughing shall be 1800 mm above rail level. 

e) Support bracket intervals shall not exceed 3 metres. 

f) Support brackets shall be secured to walls and rock faces by using masonry 

anchors or other suitable fixing devices, maintaining a straight line. Mounting to 

structural elements shall be submitted for approval of the Infrastructure Manager. 

g) There shall be a minimum clearance of 25 mm between trough and the mounting 

surface. 

h) If the required clearance cannot be obtained using standard size troughing in a 

limited clearance area, then slimline cable troughs or alternative methods of 

securing cables may be considered subject to approval by the Infrastructure 

Manager. 

8.4 GST Over Culverts and Small Water Courses 

a) In situations when the typical route of crossing bridges, culverts or water courses 

(cables direct buried or installed within buried steel conduits) is not practical, bridges 

may be constructed by using steel rails or other approved means to support the 

steel troughing. The support structure shall be wide enough to carry the required 

number of troughs and be sufficiently rigid to avoid undue deflection by the weight of 

troughing, cables and foreign bodies up to 100 kg. 

b) All troughing shall be made continuous by use of metal joining sleeves. 

c) The troughing installation shall not impede the flow of water. Supports should be 

positioned on the edge of the waterway and not in the centre of the flow. 

d) The troughing lids shall have three (3) chains welded between each lid and 

troughing, with chains installed as defined within this Standard. 




8.5 Joining Sleeves 

a) All troughing shall be made continuous by use of joining sleeves; these sleeves are 

installed midway between troughing supports. The sleeve and troughing shall be 

bolted together using cadmium plated or galvanised or similarly protected round 

head bolts with bolt heads inside the GLT. 

b) Jointing sleeves used shall be submitted for approval by the Infrastructure Manager. 

8.6 Fitting of Lids 

a) Lids shall be fitted on steel troughing so that positioning of the lid will overlap 

approximately two thirds of the troughing. This will stagger the trough joint and the 

lid joint. 

b) The lids shall be secured with galvanised steel or stainless steel strapping located 

approximately 100 mm from each end and one in the centre. There shall be three 

straps per each 3 metre lid. 

c) Where trunking has to be temporarily secured, the use of a fit for purpose sized 

heavy duty black nylon cable ties may be permitted to strap lids. Nylon cable ties 

are to be replaced with steel strapping when works are completed. Covers on 

troughing over bridges and waterways are to always have chains fitted for all work 

stages. 

d) On bridges, viaducts and over waterways, troughing covers shall be fitted with 

galvanised chain (link size: 20 mm, thickness 4 mm – 5 mm, length 250 mm – 300 

mm) attached at both ends of the lid and in the centre section of the lid by welding or 

bolted connection. The free end of the chain shall be attached in the same manner 

to the steel troughing. 

e) Where trunking straps and buckles are missing prior to commencement of works, 

these shall be supplied and replaced by the Constructor. 

f) Where any cabling has been installed or removed from troughing it is the 

responsibility of the Constructor to ensure that all lids are refitted in the approved 

manner at the completion of the works. Where lids are missing or the troughing 

damaged either before construction commenced or as a result, the Constructor shall 

ensure that the troughing has all lids refitted correctly and is free from holes, missing 

sections etc to resist the entry of rodents. 

g) Where the lids cannot be correctly fitted due to overloading of the troughing, then 

additional troughing shall be installed by the Constructor. 

8.7 Above Ground Troughing to Ground Level Troughing/Trenches/Pits 

a) The transition between the steel troughing to other service routes shall be made with 

a purpose built adaptor (blister) manufactured to the same material standards 

applying to the GST. The blister shall be of sufficient size to accommodate all 

conduits including spares, from the buried cable route. The blister shall be installed 

so that cables are fully supported and are fully protected from mechanical damage. 

b) The transition between the steel troughing to other service routes shall be installed 

so that cables are fully supported and are fully protected from mechanical damage. 

c) Open ends of the blister and conduits shall be sealed with Silastic or other approved 

compounds to prevent the entry of rodents. 

d) Cables shall be protected from mechanical damage by using steel galvanised 

conduit or heavy duty flexible orange PVC conduit .This protection shall extend to 

totally cover the cable from its point of exit from the troughing to either its entry into 

an equipment housing or enclosure, or to where the cable is exposed for attachment 

to rail. 




e) Where troughing is to enter a pit, the pit shall be installed flush with ground level. 

Where the final ground level is not certain at the time of pit installation, the Constructor 

shall ensure before the conclusion of the works, that no pits are left protruding above 

the ground by either re installation or the use of “A” grade 20 mm crushed rock etc. 

8.8 Above Ground Troughing Cable Entry/Exit to Trackside Equipment 

a) The cable entry/exit shall be fitted with grommets or use conduit or conduit glands to 

protect the cable insulation from being damaged by sharp edges. 

b) Steel couplings shall be used when: 

i. Cable enters/exits the side of the steel troughing. 

ii. 

iii. 

Cable enters/exits the bottom of the extended chamber. 

Cable enters/exits the bottom of the steel troughing. 

c) Entry and exit points shall be permanently sealed to prevent the entry of water or 

rodents 

8.9 Cabling Through High Voltage Areas 

a) At no time shall entry be made into "HIGH VOLTAGE" areas adjacent to or inside 

substations, tie stations or switchyards unless previously arranged and 

accompanied by the Infrastructure Manager or their Representative. 

b) An earth mat is provided around high voltage locations as part of the earth 

protection arrangements for the high voltage installations. All signalling and 

communication cables that are installed through or near an earth mat shall be 

protected in PVC conduits or ground level troughing. 

c) Where copper communication cables are required to be run into high voltage 

earthed locations such as substations, power sectioning huts and high voltage 

transformer locations, the cable shall take the shortest route, through the earth mat. 

d) Cable joints shall not be installed within the Earth Potential Rise (EPR) area. 

8.10 Arrangements at or near Overhead Wiring Structures 

a) Steel troughing shall not be installed within 2 metres of the overhead traction wiring. 

b) Where the Infrastructure Manager has approved that metallic troughing or ladder is 

acceptable to pass within 2 metres of any overhead traction wiring structure, it shall 

be fitted with an insulated joint at least 2 metres distant from each side of the 

overhead traction wiring structure. 

c) GST and its mounting brackets shall not be fixed to or installed within 75 mm of any 

part of an overhead traction wiring structure. 

8.11 Troughing Route Capacity 

a) One or more troughs shall be installed to provide the necessary capacity to 

accommodate all the main and local signalling, and low voltage power cables in the 

cable route plus an allowance of not less than 25% spare capacity shall be provided 

for future requirements. 

b) Additional and separate troughs shall be provided for :- 

i. High voltage power cables 

ii. 

Communications cable 

c) Steel air lines shall not be installed in GST. However, flexible PVC air lines up to 25 

mm bore may be installed on top of signalling cables in GST. 




8.12 Bends 

a) The minimum radius of all bends in the steel troughing route shall comply with the 

requirements of this Standard. 

b) All bends shall be smooth and rounded to prevent damage to or pressure on cables 

due to sharp corners or edges. 

c) Changes in direction in the vertical or horizontal plane of the troughing route shall be 

at a maximum angle of 22.5 degrees in all cases. Where, for example, 90 degree 

bends are required, they shall be made up of four 22.5 degree bends. 

8.13 Mounting Brackets and Fittings 

a) Troughing support brackets, fixings and other fittings shall be of sufficient strength to 

support the troughing without permanent deflection when loaded to full capacity with 

cable plus incidental loads up to 100kg applied at any point on the trough. A safety 

factor of not less than three (3) shall be applied to the brackets. 

b) All components shall be protected against corrosion or made of corrosion resistant 

materials, which will provide a service life of at least 30 years. 

c) Troughing brackets shall generally not extend past the side of the trough by more 

than 25 mm. 

8.14 Transition between GST/GLT/Buried Cable Route 

a) An acceptable arrangement for transition between the GST and GLT is shown on 

Drawing No. 112000/8/1 and for transition between GST and buried route on 

Drawing 112000/8/2. 

b) The transition between GST and ULX and URX's, shall be made with a purpose built 

adaptor manufactured to the same material standards applying to galvanised steel 

troughing. The adaptor shall be of sufficient size to accommodate all conduits, 

including spares, from the buried cable route, ULX or URX, and shall extend from 

the cable route to within 300 mm of ground level. 

c) The void between the adaptor and the conduits shall be sealed. 

d) Modifications to the GST route to accommodate the adaptor shall not result in 

cables being unsupported over lengths exceeding 600 mm. 

e) Acceptable arrangements for GST entering pits are as shown on Drawing No. 

112000/8/3. 

8.15 Steel Troughing Arrangements at Entries to Equipment Boxes 

Drawing No. 112000/14/3 illustrates the preferred arrangement for steel troughing at the 

entries to Equipment Boxes for typical site conditions. This arrangement shall be applied 

as far as possible for steel troughing entries to all Equipment Boxes. 




SECTION 9.0 CABLE LADDER (CABLE ROUTE TYPES 7, 8, 9) 

9.1 General 

a) Cable ladder shall be provided where clearance limitations prevent the installation of 

GST or other types of cable route, such as in tunnels and along platform walls. 

b) Cable ladder shall be manufactured from marine grade aluminium or stainless steel 

or, in areas that are not subject to ground water leaching through the tunnel or 

platform wall, galvanised steel. 

c) Ladder widths should generally be restricted to 150 mm, 300 mm, 450 mm or 600 

mm. However other widths may be used if space limitations dictate. 

d) Cable ladder shall not be installed within 2 metres of the overhead wiring, except 

where the tunnel profile precludes this clearance being achieved. 

e) The ladder shall be of adequate strength to support the cable route when full to 

capacity with cable plus an additional load of 10%, or 10 kg whichever is greater, 

without permanent deflection. 

f) Cable ladder cable route shall be generally constructed using the maximum 

available lengths of cable ladder. Shorter lengths of cable ladder shall only be used 

to accommodate changes in direction of the route, or to suit equipment positions. 

g) Cable ladder cable route shall be constructed and the ladder supported in 

accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications or recommendations. 

9.2 Cable Ladder Environment 

a) Cable ladder cable route is generally required in areas where clearance limitations 

demand it. These areas include tunnels and along platform walls. 

b) The environment in tunnels and platform walls suffers from: 

i. Contaminated groundwater carrying highly corrosive products leaching 

through the wall. 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

Stray electrical currents. 

High levels of ground born vibration. 

High velocity winds with buffeting from train movements. 

c) The design, construction of and the materials used in the cable route, shall be 

suitable for this environment. 

9.3 Cable Ladder Capacity 

a) One or more cable ladders shall be installed to provide the necessary capacity to 

accommodate all the main and local signalling cables, and low voltage power cables 

in the cable route plus an allowance of not less than 25% spare capacity shall be 

provided for future requirements. 

b) Separation of cables shall be as required within this Standard. 

9.4 Bends 

a) The minimum radius of all bends in the ladder route shall comply with the 

requirements of this Standard. 

b) All bends shall be smooth and rounded to prevent damage to or pressure on cables 

due to sharp corners or edges. 




c) Changes in direction in the horizontal and vertical planes of the ladder route shall be 

constructed using the appropriate preformed bends and tees from the ladder 

manufacturer’s range. 

9.5 Joints and Expansion Joints 

a) Joints in the cable ladder shall use the appropriate splice plate from the ladder 

manufacturer’s range and be fixed using the recommended size of fastener. 

Fastener material shall not corrode or cause corrosion of the ladder in the 

environment in which the ladder is installed. 

b) Expansion joints shall be installed in the ladder route at intervals of not greater than 

100 metres using appropriate splice plates and purpose designed fasteners. 

Attachment to brackets between expansion joints shall be purpose designed to 

permit movement of the ladder due to change in temperature 

9.6 Mounting Brackets and Fittings 

a) Cable ladder brackets, supports and fittings shall be of sufficient strength to support 

the loading specified within this Standard without deflection or distortion of bracket 

or support. 

b) Ladder supports shall be secured to concrete (except for pre-stressed or post 

tensioned structures) using stainless steel expanding masonry anchors. Chemical 

anchors with stainless steel bolts shall be used in pre-stressed or post tensioned 

concrete structures and in brickwork. 

c) Attachment to steel structures shall be by clamp type fastenings. 

d) Cable ladder brackets and supports shall be constructed of materials that are 

compatible with the ladder material and will not result in electrolytic corrosion under 

the installed environment. 

e) All bolts shall include self locking nuts or other nut locking methods. 

9.7 Cable Ladder in Tunnels or Through Under-bridges 

a) Cable ladder and ladder supports and brackets in tunnels or under-bridges shall be 

installed clear of water springs, seepage and weep holes. Support centres shall not 

exceed 2 metres except where it can be proven that the ladder to be used and the 

support system is capable of carrying longer spans with the loading specified in this 

Standard. 

b) A minimum clearance of 25 mm shall be maintained between the cable ladder and 

the walls of the tunnel or under-bridge. 

c) Unless otherwise approved, main cable ladder shall be mounted such that the 

lowest part of the ladder is at least 3,800mm above rail level. The ladder shall not 

obstruct access to personnel refuge recesses under any circumstances. 

d) Cable ladder on an irregular or rough finished tunnel wall (such as a shotcrete 

finished wall) shall be maintained in generally straight alignment by using stand-off 

pillars as necessary. 

e) The Constructor shall ensure that all cable ladders, fittings, brackets, supports and 

lidding are securely fixed and fastened before trains are permitted to run on the 

track adjacent to the installation. 




9.8 Transition between Cable Ladder/Cable Ladder/GST/GLT/Buried 

Route 

a) The transition between different cable ladder sizes shall be made using purpose 

built adaptors from the ladder manufacturer’s product range 

b) The transition between cable ladder and GST, GLT, pits or buried route including 

ULX and URX shall be made using purpose built adaptors fabricated from the same 

material as the cable ladder. 

c) The adaptor for ULX and URX shall be of sufficient size to accommodate all 

conduits from the ULX or URX, including spare conduits and shall extend from the 

cable route to within 300 mm of ground level. 

d) The void between the adaptor and the conduits shall be sealed. 

e) Modifications to the cable ladder to accommodate the adaptor shall not result in 

cables in the cable ladder being unsupported over lengths exceeding 600 mm. 

9.9 Cable Ladder Arrangements at Connection to Local Cable Route 

and Equipment 

a) The connection of the main cable ladder route to local cable route and equipment 

shall be made using purpose built tee pieces from the ladder manufacturer’s product 

range. 

9.10 Cable Ladder Covers 

a) Cable ladder covers are only required where the bottom of the cable ladder is less 

than 2.4 m above the adjacent rail level unless otherwise specified. 

b) Covers shall not be fitted until the cables have been inspected and approved. 

c) Cable ladder covers shall overlap the adjacent covers by a minimum of 20 mm 

(away from the direction of normal train movements) and shall be secured with 

stainless steel straps, one 100 mm from each end of each lid plus additional straps 

as required to ensure a maximum of 600 mm intervals between straps for 600 mm 

wide ladder and a maximum of 800 mm intervals between straps for other ladder 

widths. 




SECTION 10.0 UNDER LINE AND UNDER ROAD CROSSINGS 

(CABLE ROUTE TYPE 10) 

10.1 General 

a) Under Line Crossings (ULX ) and Under Road Crossings (URX )shall be constructed 

by boring and installed as per Drawing No. 112000/5/7,except where access for 

boring machinery is not available or the nature of the terrain or the size of ULX or 

URX renders boring impractical. Boring shall, in principle, be in accordance with the 

Australian Railways Association Code of Practice and only with the approval of the 


b) For the installation of conduits under rail lines and under roads; the directional or 

traditional bore method is preferred. Any areas within the length of the bore; 

between the wall of the bore and the installed conduits shall be filled and compacted 

to prevent subsidence of the surrounding area. 

c) The Constructor shall comply with the requirements of the Infrastructure Manager, 

and to the relevant local government or VicRoads authority and the roadway; paths, 

kerbs and drainage shall be restored to their satisfaction. 

d) Except as otherwise specified, all ULX and URX shall be lined with UPVC or HDPE 

conduits of sufficient wall thickness to guarantee no loss of cross sectional area and 

less than 10% loss of diameter in any direction under track or road impact loadings. 

e) All ULX and URX shall include a minimum of 25% spare capacity with an absolute 

minimum of 3 spare conduits in main route ULX and URX and one spare conduit in 

local route ULX and URX. No spare conduits are required for individual track circuit 

feeds or tail cables to individual items of equipment. 

f) Where a single large diameter conduit is installed by boring, spare capacity in this 

conduit, provided it is not less than 50% of the cross sectional area, may be 

accepted in place of additional conduits. Following the cable installation the spare 

capacity in large conduits shall be sealed at each end of the conduit. 

g) Steel conduit shall not be used for a ULX; under or in the vicinity of any electrified 

track. 

h) Spare conduits shall be cleaned, fitted with a polypropylene draw wire suitably 

anchored at each end of the conduit and then sealed with proprietary end caps to 

prevent the ingress of dirt, etc. 

10.2 Depth of ULX / URX 

a) The top of ULX conduits shall be a minimum of 1200 mm below rail level or 800 mm 

below natural ground level which ever is the deeper. 

b) The top of URX conduits shall be not less than 1200 mm below road level or 800 

mm below natural ground level whichever is the deeper. 

c) Buried route on each end of the ULX or URX shall be graded as required to line up 

with the ULX or URX pits or cable route. 

d) Conduits shall be provided in the ULX and URX to segregate the various cables as 

specified within this Standard. 

e) The use of water to soften the under track or under road formation for boring 

purposes is not permissible. 

10.3 ULX or URX by Open Excavation 

a) Where it is not practical to install an under line or under road crossing by the boring 

process, the ULX or URX shall be installed by open excavation, trenching, 

backfilling and compaction in accordance with this Standard. 




b) In continuous rock areas, permission may be given for the depth of ULX and URX to 

be reduced. In such cases the conduits shall be placed in a trench chased into the 

rock and encased in concrete with a minimum concrete cover of 150 mm. 

c) The following inspections shall be carried out by the Constructor:- 

i. Three days after the construction of the ULX to determine if there is any 

subsidence and remedy where necessary. 

ii. 

iii. 

Three days after any remedial work to determine if the subsidence has been 

halted and remedy where necessary. 

Two weeks after construction of the ULX if there is subsidence or other defect 

and remedy as necessary. 

d) In each case, the Infrastructure Manager shall be immediately advised if any 

defect is found. 

10.4 Under Line Crossings (ULX) 

a) Trenched ULX shall be at right angles to the tracks and, in general, be located at 

least two sleeper spacings from any rail joints. They shall also be a minimum of 2 

metres clear of the movable parts of point and of the V-crossing of any points leads. 

b) ULX conduits shall extend not less than 4 metres beyond the outer rail on each side 

of the track, except where the Infrastructure Manager’s rail corridor ends within 4 

metres, or there is a physical obstruction that precludes this requirement or with the 

Infrastructure Manager’s approval. 

c) A cable pit (in accordance with the provisions of this Standard) shall be provided at 

each end of main cable route ULX conduits. 

d) Where an ULX has been made and the sleepers have not been removed, in addition 

to the above the following shall apply: 

i. The ballast shall be compacted with a wacker packer or similar in layers of 

150mm. 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

Where it is difficult to use the wacker packer or similar under the sleepers, as 

minimum, make sure that the ballast is restored under the sleepers and tamp 

the ballast under the sleeper with a vibrating tamping head (eg hand-held 

tamper). 

Compact the area thoroughly between the sleepers. 

It may not be possible to compact the ballast shoulders that are outside of the 

sleepers. 

10.5 Under Road Crossings (URX) 

a) When it is necessary to install a cable route under a roadway it shall be planned and 

constructed so as to cause the minimum disruption possible to the users of the 

roadway. 

b) URX conduits shall extend under nature strips and pathways into the Infrastructure 

Managers property on each side of the roadway sufficiently to provide a cable pit at 

each end of the URX that is wholly within the Infrastructure Manager’s property. 

c) Where the URX is wholly within the Infrastructure Manager’s property, the cable pits 

shall be at least 2400 mm clear of the roadway edge. 

d) Where the Infrastructure Manager’s property is unfenced or where the URX is wholly 

within the Infrastructure Manager’s property, rail posts shall be installed on the road 

side of the pits to protect them from vehicular traffic. 

e) All URX works shall comply to VicRoads Standard Specification for Road works and 

Bridge Works 




SECTION 11.0 CABLE ROUTE WITH SHARED AND MIXED 

SERVICES (CABLE ROUTE TYPE 11) 

a) Cable route for shared and mixed services shall be installed as per Drawing No. 

112000/5/8 

b) Where communications cables are in the same trench as signalling and power 

cables, then: 

i. All communications cables shall be housed in conduits 

ii. 

iii. 

The minimum separation between communications cables and signalling and 

power cables shall be as specified within this Standard. 

The communications cables shall be above the signalling and HV power 

cables for the total length of the cable run 




SECTION 12.0 CABLE ROUTE WITH SIGNALLING, 

COMMUNICATIONS AND SUBSTATION/TRACTION 

SYSTEMS (CABLE ROUTE TYPE 12) 

a) Cable route for signalling, communications and high voltage sub station/traction 

systems shall be installed in accordance to Drawings No. 112000/5/10, 

112000/5/11, 112000/5/12, 112000/5/13 

b) All installations shall comply with AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules and all Standards as 

listed within this Standard. 




SECTION 13.0 STEEL PIPE CABLE ROUTE (CABLE ROUTE TYPE 

13) 

a) Steel pipe cable route shall be only be used where there is no other alternative and 

only for local cable routes. 

b) The pipe shall be a 50 mm minimum diameter nominal internal bore medium 

galvanised steel pipe (AS 1074) attached to the platform coping wall and tunnel 

walls using stainless steel full saddles at centres not exceeding 1500 mm. Saddle 

connections shall also be installed adjacent to each side of any change in direction 

of the pipe and adjacent to any connection to equipment. 

c) Saddles, other than those at changes in direction, shall allow for pipe expansion and 

contraction. Where necessary, an expansion sleeve shall be provided in the pipe. 

d) The saddles shall be attached to the walls with stainless steel expanding masonry 

anchors (concrete) or chemical anchors with no less than 8 mm diameter stainless 

steel bolts (brickwork). 

e) Removable sections of the cable route shall be made inclusive of the installation; to 

allow for cable installation. 




SECTION 14.0 CABLE PITS, CABLE JOINTING PITS AND CABLE 

TURNING CHAMBERS 

14.1 Cable Pits and Chambers 

a) Pits and chambers shall be installed with the top at ground level, clear of roads and 

pathways and shall remain within the property line of the VicTrack Rail Reserve. 

Communications pits may be found outside the rail reserve, depending on the 

network design. 

b) The alignment of square pits and chambers shall be parallel to the property line. 

c) The size and depth of pits and chambers shall be calculated to accommodate the 

particular cable route requirements, access requirements for cable installation and 

cable jointing activities. The internal size of all pits and cable turning chambers shall 

provide for the minimum bending radius of the largest cable to be installed in them 

d) Pit and chamber entries and exits shall be kept to a minimal size. All sharp edges 

and burrs shall be removed to prevent cable damage. All cable entries into pits and 

cable turning chambers shall have large radius rounded edges to prevent damage to 

cables during installation and to eliminate the danger of cables bearing on sharp 

corners or edges after installation. 

e) Pits and chambers shall not be installed any closer than 3 metres from the outside 

edge of the closest running rail; unless otherwise approved by the Infrastructure 

Manager. 

f) The end of conduits shall not protrude more than 50 mm into the pit space. 

g) Conduits are to enter the ends of pits unless site conditions restrict the space to the 

extent where that is not possible. Entries through the sides of pits are problematic 

with optical fibre cable due to the higher minimum bending radius required. Approval 

should be sought from the Infrastructure Manager (and the VicTrack Network 

Maintenance Manager where relevant) before conduits and pits are installed. Long 

radius bends should be used at pit entries. 

h) Pits and chambers installed in open areas shall be protected on two diagonal 

corners by white painted rail post (or an agreed alternative structure) to prevent 

damage by vehicles. If there is a joint in a pit then the associated protection posts 

are to be painted yellow. 

i) Buried cables shall access a pit or chamber via 100 mm or suitable size conduits 

that extend a minimum 2 metres from the outside entry point. Entry holes shall be 

100 mm minimum from the base of the pit or chamber. All conduits are to enter from 

the ends of pits and not from under the pit. 

j) The exterior entry points for conduits into pits shall be sealed by a mortar compound 

(ratio 4:1 sand/cement) or both externally and internally using an approved, 

expanding silicone or similar based type sealant. 

k) Ground Level Troughing shall rest on a bed of “A” grade 20 mm crushed rock or 

clean fill 150 mm in depth for approximately 4 metres before opening into the pit or 

chamber. 

l) All pits associated with GST to equipment box interface shall have minimum 

dimensions of 600 mm x 600 mm as shown on Drawing No. 112000/14/3. 




m) All pits and chambers shall have a prepared foundation of “A” grade 20 mm crushed 

rock not less than 150 mm thick. The base of open ended conduit chambers shall 

have a compacted base compound (ratio 8:1 crushed rock/cement) prior to 

installation. Because of the time required for the cement mix to cure and for the 

packing to solidify around an open ended pit or chamber, a temporary support using 

a length of treated pine or red gum timber shall be placed either side of centre, 

embedded in the crushed rock/cement base. 

n) Concrete turning chambers shall be constructed of reinforced concrete and be fitted 

with a drainage sump and associated drainage. 

o) Round chambers for; 

i. Cable routes to a depth of 800 mm shall allow a person to comfortably work 

within the chamber 

ii. 

iii. 

Main cable routes and under line and under road crossings where depths are 

1200 mm require chambers 1 metre minimum in diameter and shall allow a 

person to stand within the chamber and work comfortably (or a suitable 

alternative as approved by the Infrastructure Manager) 

Depths greater than 1200 mm require an independently verified engineering 

design to be submitted to the Infrastructure Manager for approval 

p) Pits or chambers containing communications cable shall not be installed in locations 

where the EPR (Earth Potential Rise) exceeds 430 V. In locations where the EPR 

exceeds the maximum voltage specified above, then preparation and action shall 

conform to Australian Standard AS/ACIF S009 Installation requirements for 

customer cabling (Wiring Rules) 

q) All pits and chambers shall be sealed against the entry of water and vermin proofed 

by an approved method. 

r) Concrete, concrete block and brick pits and cable turning chambers shall have a 

concrete floor of not less than 75 mm thick. 

s) Pits that have high voltage traction substation cables shall have dimensions no less 

than; 

i. For 1500 volts installation areas- 1500 mm by 1500 mm by 1500 mm deep 

ii. 

iii. 

For 22,000 volt installation areas- 2 metres by 2 metres by 1500 mm deep 

Refer also to drawings within this Standard and Infrastructure Managers 

minimum requirements and type approved materials 

14.2 Access into pits 

a) Pits and cable turning chambers in excess of 1200 mm deep shall have rungs 

(minimum width 300 mm constructed from 20 mm diameter galvanised steel rod or 

other approved material) cast into the wall at 300 mm (maximum) centres, to permit 

safe and easy entry and exit from the pit or chamber. 

b) Alternatively, a galvanised steel ladder (of suitable length, with minimum width of 

300 mm and 20 mm diameter rungs) fixed securely to the wall at the top and the 

bottom of the ladder, may be provided. 

14.3 Drainage of Pits 

a) Drainage arrangements shall be provided at the base of each pit and cable turning 




chamber. Pits and chambers in areas of clay, rocks and other areas where excess 

water run-off and similar are encountered; shall each have a drainage system in 

place to cater for the excess water condition, and where identified necessary shall 

further have a sump and associated drainage system installed. These may include 

installing drainage conduits to the nearest approved railway drain or to a public 

stormwater drain or natural drainage course, where possible. 

b) If no suitable drains exist, or where impracticable to achieve a sump and drainage 

system, then a gravel drainage sump or conduit to the side of an embankment shall 

be installed. Gravel drainage sumps shall consist of 20 mm aggregate with a 

minimum depth of 300 mm. 

14.4 Types of Pits and Turning Chambers 

Construction of pits and chambers shall conform to one of the following types, and shall 

be Infrastructure Manager approved; 

a) Reinforced fibreglass AS3572 

b) Reinforced concrete chamber AS3600 

c) Polyethylene conduit AS4130, class 3 minimum for depths to 1200 mm 

d) High density polyethylene pit Telecom approved AS3900; 

e) Precast concrete conduit AS4058, class Y or class Z 

f) Precast Concrete 

g) Concrete block 

14.5 Cast on Site type Pits 

a) Cast in situ concrete pits and cable turning chambers less than or equal to 1500 mm 

deep shall be constructed with a minimum wall thickness of 100 mm with a layer of 

F82 galvanised mesh reinforcement. The reinforcement shall be located to provide a 

minimum cover of 50 mm from the outside of the wall. 

b) Cast in situ concrete pits and cable turning chambers deeper than 1,500mm shall be 

constructed with a minimum wall thickness of 150 mm with two layers of F62 

galvanised mesh reinforcement. The reinforcement shall have a cover of 50 mm. 

c) Pits and cable turning chambers constructed from concrete block shall include 

appropriate steel reinforcement. 

14.6 Pit and Chamber Covers and Collars: 

a) Covers shall be labelled “RAILWAYS SIGNALS & COMMUNICATIONS” on their 

outer surface. This label must be durable and weatherproof. Where pits are installed 

in trafficable areas; the pit should be identified by an approved cable marker post in 

close proximity to the pit, and with a label identifying cable pit offsets and services 

installed within the pit. 

b) Pit covers for general use shall be either commercial standard concrete composition 

pit covers or 6 mm mild steel checker plate fitted with a security chain and lifting 

handles. All parts shall be galvanised. 

c) Light duty Gatic type pre-filled type pit covers or similar Infrastructure Manager 

approved pit cover shall be used for pedestrian footways and platforms. The precast 

collar to be constructed around Gatic covers shall have a thickness of 120 mm. 

Backfill shall be compacted and level with the collar and surrounds. 




d) Heavy duty Gatic Highway loading pre-filled type covers shall be used for roadways 

and heavy access paths and be rated for the vehicular or pedestrian load applicable 

to the location. The precast collar to be constructed around Gatic covers shall have 

a thickness of 200 mm. Backfill shall be compacted and level with the collar and 

surrounds. 

e) Collars for pits or chambers other than Gatic shall be reinforced concrete of A1 

20MPa minimum strength rating. The collar shall have a minimal cross sectional 

area of 200 mm x 200 mm encircling the top perimeter of the pit or chamber. 

f) General purpose pits in open areas do not require concrete collars; however a 

backfill of compacted rock in accordance to AS3798, and utilising 20 mm “A” grade 

crushed rock shall be provided to a depth of 150 mm and extend 500 mm from the 

outer perimeter of the pit. 

g) All cable pit lids shall be in accordance to AS3996 Access Covers and Grates. 

h) Covers on all other pits and cable turning chambers shall be capable of carrying 

incidental live loads of 1.5 kpa and shall be sectioned as necessary to limit the 

maximum weight of each section to 45 kg. 

i) Gatic or similar covers shall be provided with recessed sockets or eyes for lifting 

with appropriate tools. All other covers shall be provided with recessed or retractable 

handles so that the cover can be removed without tools. 

j) Except for covers in platforms, paved areas, sealed or unsealed roadways and 

pathways, covers shall be secured to pits and cable turning chambers with 

Infrastructure Manager type locks or similar approved lockable removable covers to 

guard against theft, vandalism and unauthorised entry. 

k) Communications pits installed outside the rail boundary shall be labelled with 

“VicTrack Communications” 

14.7 Location of Cable Pits 

a) Cable pits shall be provided; 

i. At each end of main cable route ULX and URX 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

At points where the main cable route and cables exit the buried route. 

Where Type 3 or Type 4 cable route is specified placed at intervals of not 

greater than 300 metres. 

At interfaces of Type 3 or Type 4 routes with other type cable routes 

v. Where Type 3 or Type 4 routes change direction. 

vi. 

vii. 

viii. 

ix. 

Cable pits are also required at entries to equipment buildings and the 

construction of these will form part of the work covered for the relevant 

building specification. 

At signal mast and gantry locations 

At point machine locations 

At level crossing locations 

x. At other identified signalling infrastructure locations 

xi. 

xii. 

At all ends and major entry points to under line, under road and through 

platforms and crossings. 

Where cable routes pass through station platforms, these shall have pits 

installed no further apart than sixty (60) metres. 

b) Where the main buried cable route has conduits installed along its length for 

signalling, communications, airlines or similar purposes; then pits and chambers 




shall be installed at points where there is a major change of direction greater than 

25 degrees, or where services leave the main cable route. 

c) The maximum length between adjacent pits shall be 300 metres and nominally 150 

metres. 

d) Where pits and cable turning chambers are installed on embankments, protection 

against erosion around and adjacent to the pit and special drainage arrangements 

shall be provided to ensure that there will be no undermining or deterioration of the 

embankment during periods of heavy rain. 

e) Where it is identified that a defined length of spare or slack cable is required for 

either; 

i. Future use 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

Additional Cable jointing purposes 

Temporary works 

Other identified purpose/s 

14.8 Location of Cable Jointing Pits 

a) Cable jointing pits shall be provided wherever: 

i. Fibre optic cable and communications cable is to be jointed and a suitable 

communications cable termination cabinet does not exist. All cables shall 

enter from the longer ends of fibre optic and communications cable pits and 

not from side entries. 

ii. 

Jointing of cabling near signals or signalling infrastructure is required 

b) Consideration shall be given to the need to have vehicular access for the jointing of 

cables and splicing of optical fibre cables, and as such cable jointing pits shall where 

possible be positioned where road access is available. 

14.9 Location of Cable Turning Chambers 

a) Cable turning chambers shall be installed in GLT, GST and cable ladder routes 

wherever cables are required to change direction sharply and either: 

i. The minimum bend radius for the cable cannot be achieved within the GLT, 

GST or cable ladder or, 

ii. 

The cable is likely to bear heavily against sharp edges at the bend. 

14.10Preferred Type Cable Pits 

a) Preferred type cable jointing pits and lids for rail signalling use are as within this 

Standard and refer to drawings 112000 / 5 /14, drawings 112000 / 5 /15, drawings 

112000 / 5 /16 

b) The Infrastructure Manager’s type approved list should also be consulted for all 

further types of approved pits and lids as acceptable for use. 




SECTION 15.0 CABLE ROUTE TO TRACKSIDE EQUIPMENT 

15.1 Location of Equipment 

a) No equipment shall be located within the Standard Structure Gauge envelope as 

defined within VRIOGS 0001 Structural Gauge Envelopes-Minimum clearances for 

Infrastructure adjacent to the Railway. 

b) All cable routes and equipment shall be installed in accordance with Plan STD 

R0016 Signal Equipment Service Area typical clearances, and general 

requirements. 

c) If site constraints are such that the equipment cannot be installed without 

infringement of this envelope, details of the required infringement shall be referred 

for specific approval by the Infrastructure Manager. 

15.2 Signals 

a) In general, local cables from equipment housing to signalling equipment shall be run 

in PVC conduits. 

b) Where the equipment is more than 50 metres from the equipment housing the 

cables may be run in the main cable route for a proportion of the cable run. 

c) Local cables in a main cable trench need not be in conduit if the main cables are 

direct buried. 

15.3 Train Protection and Signal Enforcement 

a) The signalling and civil works shall be carried out as per current standard plans and 

agreed site layout plans for these items of infrastructure; such as various types of 

trainstops, train protection warning system (TPWS) items and similar. 

b) The Constructor shall supply all conduits and connections and install trainstops in 

accordance with Plan No. STD G0075 and STD G0076 

15.4 Points 

a) The cable route and cabling to the points to provide for point controls and detection 

circuits shall be provided in addition to cabling to a telephone post in the vicinity of 

the points (where applicable and as identified by the Infrastructure Manager). 

b) From buried cable routes the cables to the points equipment shall remain buried 

then be brought up to the ground surface in 100 mm diameter conduit positioned 

2500 mm from the rail face, adjacent to the points machine cable entry end. 

c) From ground level troughing (GLT), which is within the track formation, the cable 

from the GLT to the points machine shall be run in surface mounted flexible, heavy 

duty, orange PVC conduits. 

d) Where the GLT is not in the track formation or is on the other side of an access road 

to the points machine, the cables shall be buried 800 mm deep between the GLT 

and 2500 mm from the rail face and treated as for buried cable. 100 mm conduit 

shall also be provided where the cable descends from the GLT into the ground. 

e) Similar requirements shall apply to steel troughing routes. 




15.5 Station Buildings, Platform Signals and Indicators 

a) Cabling to platform signals and indicators shall be run in pipes buried in the 

platforms or in conduits or cable ducts in or on station buildings or other structures 

subject to specific approval. Exposed conduits or cable ducts shall be made as 

unobtrusive as possible and painted to blend with the supporting structure. (Note: 

On some stations, which are heritage listed, posts that more closely match the 

period architecture of the station may be required. 

15.6 Boom Barriers and Level Crossing 

a) The signalling and civil works shall be carried out as per current VRIOGS standard 

plans and agreed site layout plans. 

15.7 Pedestrian Gates 


plans and agreed site layout plans 

15.8 Train Stabling Gates 


plans and agreed site layout plans 

15.9 Signal Post Mounted Telephones (SPT) 

a) Signal Post Telephone’s are installed at identified signals and signal gantries; for 

train driver’s use in case of emergency or during delays or interruptions to railway 

traffic. 

b) A suitably drained, graded and level surface shall be provided for persons using the 

telephone. Where the telephone is immediately adjacent to the danger zone, a 

galvanised steel conduit railing shall be provided between the telephone and the 

danger zone. 

c) The Constructor is to provide pedestrian access to the SPT, to enable train crew to 

alight from the cab of a train stopped within 20 metres of the post phone and walk 

safely to/from and use the SPT. 




SECTION 16.0 SIGNAL MAST AND SIGNAL GANTRY 

FOUNDATIONS 

16.1 Location of Signal Masts and Signal Gantry Foundations 

a) During the detailed site survey, the actual positions for the installation of signal 

masts and signal gantries shall be established in accordance with the requirements 

laid down in the relevant sections of VRIOGS Standards; with regards to designed 

location and physical positioning of the relevant signal masts and gantries. 

b) The foundations for signal masts and signal gantries shall be installed at the position 

indicated on the corresponding "Signal Sighting Working Committee 

Recommendation" form and in accordance with an agreed upon signal arrangement 

plan/s or similar. 

c) Each signal mast shall be positioned with relation to rail level, the structure gauge 

and shall be given a kilometrage, GPS coordinate or a distance from a well defined 

structure such as a bridge, platform, gantry or overhead wiring structure. 

d) Signal mast foundations shall be located at the distance from rail and height above 

rail shown on the signal sighting working committee recommendation form. 

e) Signal gantry foundations shall be located at the location shown on signal sighting 

working committee recommendation form and at the distance from nearest rail and 

height relative to rail level shown on the engineering plans for the gantry. The 

distance from centre of the Broad Gauge track to the closest edge of any part of a 

signal or signal mast shall be no less than 2400 mm (Metropolitan Areas) and 2500 

mm (Country Areas) and shall be in strict accordance with VRIOGS 0001 Structural 

Gauge Envelopes-Minimum clearances for Infrastructure adjacent to the Railway. 

f) Where signal masts and signal gantries cannot be located adjacent to the track in 

the correct position due to the closeness of adjacent tracks or some other 

obstruction, an alternative solution shall be engineered and submitted to the 

Infrastructure Manager for approval. 

16.2 Construction of Signal Mast Foundations 

a) The foundations may be pre cast concrete or cast in situ and refer to plan STD 

G0103 Signal Mast Assembly. 

b) That portion of signal mast foundations visible above ground shall be neatly finished 

with smooth surfaces free of voids and shall have chamfered edges. 

c) Square foundations shall be parallel to the track. 

d) For signal masts in rail cuttings the Constructor shall, where necessary, cut back 

and shore the bank to provide space for the signal foundation. 

e) Concrete or brick retaining walls shall be built wherever there is a danger of erosion 

or subsidence of the bank or cutting due to the signal placement. 

f) With the Infrastructure Manager’s approval and appropriate engineering certification; 

in areas of solid rock it will be permissible for the signal mast holding-down bolts to 

be grouted into the rock. The rock shall be excavated to a depth of at least 200 mm 

and a concrete cap shall be keyed into this to form the signal mast foundation to the 

required height relative to rail level. Holding down bolts shall be keyed a further 300 

mm into the rock. 




16.3 Construction of Signal Gantry Foundations 

a) Signal gantry foundations shall be of such a size and depth to adequately support 

the gantry, signal cages, signals, walkway and handrail, incidental loadings from 

maintenance personnel, overhead wiring loads (where applicable) and resist wind 

loadings, in the terrain category as applicable to the site location, for wind velocities 

up to 160 kph. 

b) The Constructor shall supply engineering drawings detailing the requirements for the 

construction of all signal gantry foundations. The provisions of those drawings shall 

be strictly adhered to in the construction of the foundations. 

c) Refer to Plan STD G0205 Signal Gantry General Assembly for details of standard 

signal gantry. 

16.4 Backfilling and Levelling Site 

a) When the signal mast and signal gantry foundations are installed and approved, the 

Constructor shall backfill the foundations, level the site and remove any surplus 

spoil. 

16.5 Handrails 

a) Handrails shall also be provided, where necessary, to protect train drivers and 

others from drains or embankments, etc as defined within this Standard. 

16.6 Walkways 

a) Walkways (including handrails) from the rail track to signal post telephones shall be 

provided where defined within this Standard. 

16.7 Foundations Affecting Track Drainage 

a) If a signal mast or signal gantry foundation is to be located such that it would 

obstruct existing or proposed track drainage arrangements the Constructor shall 

provide alternative drainage arrangements and these be acceptable to the 


b) These could include drainage ducts through the foundations or ducts or channels 

around the foundations. 

16.8 Access to Signals and Gantries from Public Roads 

a) Where railway lines run alongside public roads; access to signals and signal 

gantries shall be provided. 

b) This shall include the provision of walkways / steps / handrails as necessary for safe 

and convenient access in addition to the provision of a lockable single width gate in 

the boundary fence in accordance with this Standard. 




SECTION 17.0 CONCRETE AND STABILISED SAND 

17.1 General 

This section of the Standard Specification details the requirements for the supply of: 

a) Concrete for the construction of foundations, footpaths, cable pits and other 

concrete structures of a minor nature as described within this Standard. 

b) Stabilised sand. 

Except when otherwise approved by the Infrastructure Manager, ready mixed concrete 

shall be used in the construction of all concrete structures (i.e. no use of dry premix 

concrete). 

17.2 Ready Mixed Concrete and Stabilised Sand 

a) Ready mixed concrete and stabilised sand shall be produced in accordance with the 

requirements of AS 3600, AS1379. 

b) The Constructor shall be responsible for ensuring that concrete and stabilised sand 

is ordered with the correct properties for its intended application. 

c) Concrete strength at 28 days shall be not less than 25 MPa. 

17.3 Site Mixed Concrete and Stabilised Sand 

a) The materials for site mixed concrete and stabilised sand shall be kept free of 

foreign matter at all times. 

b) Concrete mix portions by volume shall be as necessary to obtain the necessary 

strength for the particular application with a minimum strength of 25 MPa for any 

application. 

c) Portland cement type A to AS3972 shall be used unless otherwise specified and 

aggregate shall comply with AS2758.1. 

d) Mixing water shall be clean and free from substances deleterious to concrete or 

steel. 

e) Chemical admixtures or fly ash shall not be used in the concrete mix. 

f) Dry premix early strength concrete is not to be used in the rail environment. 

17.4 Concreting Reinforcing 

a) All concrete structures and pathways shall be appropriately reinforced with welded 

steel mesh to AS 3600 and AS 1304 and/or steel bar to AS 1302 of sufficient crosssectional 

area for the calculated loadings. 

b) Reinforcement shall be placed and tied (and/or welded) in accordance with the 

design drawings. 

17.5 Concreting Finishing 

a) Internal concrete surfaces such as floors or similar shall be free of voids and steel 

trowelled to a smooth finish. 

b) External concrete surfaces shall be finished to a non-slip wood trowelled finish. 

c) Concrete edges and corners shall be chamfered to minimise chipping and breaking. 

d) Concrete surfaces shall be level except where a slope is required to form a ramp or 

to disperse water away from a building or other structure. 




SECTION 18.0 EQUIPMENT HOUSING CIVIL WORKS 

18.1 General 

a) Signalling equipment housings are categorised into three main types: 

i. Equipment boxes 

ii. 

iii. 

Equipment huts 

Equipment rooms 

b) The area around equipment housings shall be cleared and levelled with the use of 

compacted 10mm “A” grade crushed rock for a distance of at least 2 metres around 

the perimeter of the combined area of all equipment housings, and to a depth of 

150mm. 

c) Equipment housings shall not be located in flood prone areas, or where inadequate 

drainage could lead to flooding. In low lying areas, the local flood history shall be 

determined and the top of the equipment box base shall be at a height not lower 

than the recorded or projected 100 year flood level. 

d) Separation of all types of cables entering equipment housings shall comply to 

Standards as identified within this document, and for all cables; 

i. Within the equipment box, housing or relay room 

ii. 

iii. 

iv. 

Entering the equipment box, housing or relay room 

Within the equipment box, housing or relay room foundation 

In pits associated with the equipment box, housing or relay room installation 

18.2 Equipment Boxes 

a) Equipment boxes shall be installed on foundations of the polyethylene constructed 

type foundation, commonly referred to as “bathtub foundation” type, or of a type as 

approved by the Infrastructure Manager. Refer to plans single width foundation STD 

G0083 and double width foundation STD G0084. (Foundations for Single Width and 

Double Width boxes shall be type approved by the Infrastructure Manager). 

b) The foundations shall be installed on a level and compacted 100mm thick bedding 

of 20 mm “A” grade crushed rock; that encompasses the foundation “footprint area” 

plus 500mm in all directions past the perimeter of the foundation. Bathtub 

foundation’s inspection cover plates shall be positioned at the rear of the relay box. 

c) Additional provisions may be necessary at difficult sites such as on high banks or in 

swampy areas. 

d) All equipment boxes shall have secure foundations and safe and convenient access 

provided to the equipment box for maintenance and construction staff. 

e) Concrete or brick retaining walls shall be provided where necessary to form a 

secure level area for equipment box foundations. 

f) For sloping or unstable sites the specific proposals shall be prepared for approval, 

but the layout and method of cable entry shall, as far as possible, be similar to those 

indicated on the drawings referred to above. In areas of sloping or unstable sites, 

retaining walls forming part of the equipment box foundations shall be provided as 

necessary. 




g) Care shall be taken to ensure that equipment box foundations and equipment box 

platform foundations do not impede drainage and do not lead to scouring or erosion. 

18.3 Equipment Boxes on Raised Metal Platforms 

a) Where it is not practical to install concrete foundations for Equipment Boxes such as 

on steeply sloping sites and over culverts, etc. approved raised metal platforms shall 

be provided. 

b) The platforms shall comply with the relevant parts of AS1657. In addition each 

platform shall be capable of carrying a minimum of six (6) persons in addition to the 

equipment box(s) and shall not bend, distort or sway or vibrate under this load and 

any combination of this load and wind loading (from passing trains). 

c) Metal supporting posts shall be securely anchored in concrete foundations and 

where the ground is sandy or uncompacted; foundations shall be strip footings 

rather than individual footings under each post. 

d) The area under and extended up to 1 metre beyond the extremities of the raised 

platforms shall be covered with 50mm of concrete. The area under the raised 

platform shall be enclosed to prevent the build-up of rubbish and the growth of grass 

or scrub underneath that could put equipment box contents and associated cables 

at risk in the event of fires, etc. 

18.4 Access to Equipment Boxes 

a) Access shall be available to all Equipment Boxes from the track in the immediate 

vicinity of the equipment box. 

b) Where a public road runs alongside the railway line and Equipment Boxes are 

positioned inside the boundary fences, personnel access shall be provided from the 

public road for maintenance and fault finding purposes. 

c) A personnel access gate in the boundary fence shall be provided in accordance with 


d) Paths and safety handrails shall be provided between the access gates and 

Equipment Boxes. 

e) Where pre-existing gates are to be used for access to the Equipment Boxes, the 

paths, steps and handrails shall be upgraded to comply with this Standard and / or 

the relevant Australian Standards. 

18.5 Equipment Huts 

a) The equipment hut shall be installed to the construction plan as agreed upon by the 

Infrastructure Manager, and taking into account any possible sighting obstruction to 

nearby signals. 

18.6 Equipment Rooms 

a) The equipment room shall be installed to the construction plan as agreed upon by 

the Infrastructure Manager, and taking into account any possible sighting obstruction 

to nearby signals. 




SECTION 19.0 COMMUNICATIONS CABLE CABINETS, ROOMS 

AND HUTS 

19.1 General 

a) Access shall be provided to all communications equipment and cable areas; similar 

to that as provided for Equipment Boxes as set out within this Standard. 




SECTION 20.0 FOOTPATHS AND WALKWAYS 

The Constructor shall supply and install; 

a) Footpath for a distance of twelve (12) metres or as determined by a site inspection 

by the Infrastructure Manager or Representative, where required for the train driver 

to access; 

i. Signal Post Telephone/s (SPT) 

ii. point mechanism/s to either operate or inspect the lay of the points 

mechanism 

b) Walkway for a distance of twelve (12) metres or as determined by a site inspection 

by the Infrastructure Manager or Representative, where required for the train driver 

to access; 

i. Signal Post Telephone/s (SPT) 

ii. point mechanism/s to either operate or inspect the lay of the points 

mechanism 

c) The above shall equally relate to areas where access is required and the rail line is 

located at a lower level, and access is required from the higher level to that of the 

lower level. 

d) All installations are to be in accordance with VRIOGS Standards and Specifications, 

Infrastructure Manager’s Standards and Specifications, Australian Standard 1657 

Fixed Platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders-Design, and the Construction and 

Installation Australian Building Code. 




SECTION 21.0 

PLATFORMS, STEPS, FENCING, GATES, 

LADDERS AND RETAINING WALLS 

21.1 General 

The Constructor shall supply and install; 

a) Platforms, steps, ladders and handrails to access all equipment housings, relay 

boxes, signal masts and gantries, trackside signalling and track related equipment, 

track connections, and signalling trackside equipment which are located on 

embankments or similar such inaccessible areas must be supplied and installed by 

the Constructor, in accordance with Australian Standard 1657 Fixed Platforms, 

walkways, stairways and ladders-Design, Construction and Installation and the 

Australian Building Code. The above shall equally relate to areas where access is 

required and the rail line is located at a lower level, and access is required from the 

higher level to that of the lower level. 

b) Where equipment boxes, huts and rooms are located within 3 metres from the 

nearest rail and have doors opening towards the rail, or within 2 metres to fall areas 

such as the top of embankments or cuttings, drains or culverts and that there is a 

danger to persons falling greater than 1 metre from the working area, or where 

slopes of greater than 1 in 1.15 (approximately 41 degrees) are encountered, then 

the Constructor shall supply and install safety handrails in accordance with 

Australian Standard 1657 Fixed Platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders-Design, 

Construction and Installation. 

21.2 Gates 

a) Gates shall be supplied and installed by the Constructor in accordance with 

VRIOGS Standards and Specifications. 

21.3 Fencing 

a) Fencing shall be supplied and installed by the Constructor in accordance with 

VRIOG Standards and Specifications. 

21.4 Steps, Ladders and Handrails 

Steps, Ladders and Handrails shall be supplied and installed by the Constructor as below 

and in accordance with the Infrastructure Manager’s Requirements. 

a) Where Equipment Boxes are installed above ground level fixed steps or ladders 

shall be provided where necessary to provide easy and safe access for 

maintenance and construction staff. 

b) Handrails to AS1657 shall be provided on all steps and around the foundations of all 

Equipment Boxes that are located on embankments, etc or where the safety of 

maintenance or construction staff could be at risk from accidentally stepping off an 

above ground structure. 

c) Handrails shall also be required at ground level Equipment Boxes where staff could 

step back into a track drain, culverts, etc and on the track side of the equipment box 

where the equipment box is within 3600 mm of the nearest rail of any track. 

d) Stairs and Ladders to Equipment Boxes shall comply with the requirements of 

AS1657 in respect to selection of step type ladders or rung type ladders, stile, tread 

and rung sizes and the provision of safety cages and intermediate platforms. 

e) Steps shall be not less than 600 mm wide and ladders shall be 450 mm wide. 




21.5 Modifications to Existing Fencing 

Modifications to fencing shall be supplied and installed by the Constructor as below and in 

accordance with the Infrastructure Manager’s Requirements. 

a) Where necessary to provide access ways, existing fences shall be cut and modified 

in accordance to this Standard. The modification shall match the construction and 

colour of the existing fence. 

b) Access gates shall be provided in the modified fences in accordance with the 

provisions of this specification. 

21.6 Temporary Fences 

Temporary fences shall be supplied and installed by the Constructor as below and in 

accordance with the VRIOG Standards and Specifications. 

In General; 

a) Where an existing fence is being replaced or modified the Constructor shall provide 

a temporary fence to prevent unauthorised access to the Infrastructure Manager’s 

property. 

b) The temporary fence(s) shall be reinstated prior to completion of each days work. 

21.7 Retaining walls 

a) The Constructor shall design and install retaining walls to support any embankment 

which would be adversely affected by excavation for the Works. For example, signal 

mast foundations or where necessary for the installation of trackside signalling 

equipment or equipment housings. 

b) Retaining walls shall be the concrete rail slab and steel rail post method in 

accordance with PTC plan 2491/87 and also 3/81, or of a type approved by the 

Infrastructure Manager. The minimum height above ground or ballast level 

(whichever is the highest) shall be 300 mm. Retaining walls shall comply with 

AS1302, AS3600 and AS4678. 

c) All retaining walls shall be certified by a structural engineer. 

d) Retaining walls shall not be constructed of timber. 

e) The structural elements of all retaining walls and platforms shall be checked and 

certified by an independent structural engineer. 

f) Where the Constructor installs retaining walls; drainage must be considered and 

adequate drainage installed. 

g) As an alternative to retaining walls and earth fill, the Constructor may offer other 

suitable alternatives for approval by the Infrastructure Manager or steel mesh 

platforms. Steel mesh platforms shall comply with AS1657. The steel column for 

support of the mesh platforms shall comply with AS4100 and the concrete footings 

for the steel support column shall comply with AS3600. 

h) Retaining walls shall be provided where: 

i. The top of the equipment box concrete slab foundation is below the adjacent 

ground level. 

ii. The top of the signal post foundation is below the adjacent ground level. 

i) The retaining wall shall be built to a height of 300 mm above the ground level on the 

fill side of the wall. The fill material shall be compacted and levelled to allow water 

run off to flow behind the wall. 

j) Where the retaining wall will be 1 metre more in height at any point, free draining 

backfill shall be placed adjacent to the wall and shall be drained into an agricultural 

conduit of diameter not less than 100 mm located at the base of the wall. 

k) Retaining walls shall be provided with weep holes at 600 mm centres maximum. 




l) A dish drain with minimum gradient of 1:100 shall be provided between the retaining 

wall and the pathway surrounding the equipment box or at the signal ladder base. 




SECTION 22.0 TABLE OF FIGURES USED WITHIN THIS 

STANDARD 

Figure Number Drawing Number Drawing Title 

Figure 1 112000 / 5 / 4 Buried Cable Route Types 1, 2 & 3 

Figure 2 112000 / 5 / 5 Buried Cable Route Type 4 

Figure 3 112000 / 5 / 6 Buried Cable Route in Rock 



Figure 6 112000 / 5 / 10 Typical Pipe Configuration at Pit 

Figure 7 112000 / 5 / 11 Typical Trench Plan Configuration One 

Figure 8 112000 / 5 / 12 Typical Trench Plan Configuration Two 

Figure 9 112000 / 5 / 13 Typical Trench Plan Configuration Four 

Figure 10 112000 / 8 / 1 GST / GLT Interface 

Figure 11 112000 / 8 / 2 GST / Buried Route Interface 

Figure 12 112000 / 8 / 3 GST to Pit Interface 

Figure 13 112000 / 14 / 1 Buried Route to Equipment box 

Figure 14 112000 / 14 / 2 GLT to Equipment box Typical Arrangement 

Figure 15 112000 / 14 / 3 GST to Equipment box Typical Arrangement 

Figure 16 112000 / 5 / 14 Preferred cable pits and covers for local signalling 

conduit type works 

Figure 17 112000 / 5 / 15 Preferred cable pits and covers for ULX, URX and 

Main signalling conduit type works 

Figure 18 112000 / 5 / 16 Preferred cable pits and covers for fibre optic 

cable and communications conduit type works 

Figure 19 112000 / 5 / 17 Preferred cable pits and covers for 

communications cabling conduit works 

Figure 20 112000 / 5 / 18 Signalling equipment rail protection post, cable 

route marker post and cable joint marker post 

Figure 21 112000 / 5 / 19 Preferred Type 5 Ground Level Troughing (GLT) 

Table 2 – Figures used 




BURIED CABLE ROUTE TYPES 1, 2 AND 3 

Marker Tape 

300 

White pipe for communications cable 

(if required) 

Separation as required by 

ACMA and Victrack 

50 

650 

800 minimum 

Clean fill 

Cover strip or 

other suitable 

separator 

Cover strip 

HV power Cable(s) 

Signalling Cables 

TYPE 1 CABLE ROUTE 

Marker Tape 

300 

White pipe/s for communications cable 

(if required) 

Separation as required by ACMA 

and VicTrack 

Spare Pipe(s) 

Clean fill 

50 

650 

800 minimum 

Cover strip or 

other suitable 

separator 

Cover strip 

HV power Cable(s) 


TYPE 2 CABLE ROUTE --- WITH OUT PITS 

TYPE 3 CABLE ROUTE --- WITH PITS AT 300m INTERVALS 

BURIED CABLE ROUTE TYPES 1, 2 AND 3 

Drg No 112000 / 5 / 4 

Date 

Jan 2010 

Figure 1 Buried Cable Route Types 1, 2 & 3 




BURIED CABLE ROUTE TYPE 4 

Marker Tape 

White pipe(s) for 

communications cable 

300mm separation from HV 

as required by ACMA and 

Victrack. 

Clean fill 

Orange pipes for signalling, cables LV and HV cables power cables and air lines. 

HV power to be in a separate conduit to signalling cables 

Air line to be in a separate conduit 

NOTE: Where Services are required to be installed 

horizontally in a wide excavation rather than 

vertically as depicted, all separations shall be 

maintained 


Drg No 112000 / 5 / 5 

Date 

Jan 2010 

Figure 2 Buried Cable Route Type 4 




50 

100 min 

300 minimum 

50 

300 

650 minimum 

Figure 3 

Buried Cable in Rock 





UNDERLINE CROSSING and equally applies to Under road 

crossing 

NOTE; For Under Line crossing (ULX) installation works this shall be top of the head of the rail level 

and for Under Road crossings (URX) installation works this shall be top of the road way level 

Marker Tape- (where possible 

under track if open excavation) 

Clean fill-if open excavation 

HV power Cable(s) within 

conduits 

Crushed rock-for open excavated 

type 


within conduits 

White conduits/s for communications cable 

(if required) 

Separation as required by ACMA 

and VicTrack 

NOTE: Spare Conduits/s -as required per standard 


UNDERLINE OR ROAD CROSSING 

Drg No 112000 / 5 / 7 

Date 

Jan 2010 









Figure 6 

Typical Pipe Configuration at Pit 




Figure 7 

Typical Trench Plan Configuration One 




TYPICAL TRENCH PLAN CONFIGURATION TW0 

Drg No 112000 / 5 / 12 

Date 

Jan 2010 

Figure 8 

Typical Trench Plan Configuration Two 




Figure 9 

Typical Trench Plan Configuration Four 




GST / GLT INTERFACE 

Steel trough tar epoxy coated 

to 150mm above ground 

Metal end cover secured 

to GLT lid 

Concrete 

Troughing lid cut and bent parallel 

to GLT lid 

Figure 10 

GST / GLT Interface 




22.5 max 

GST / BURIED ROUTE INTERFACE 

Drg No 112000 / 8 / 2 

Date 

Jan 2010 

Figure 11 

GST / Buried Route Interface 




22.5 max 

Pit protected by 800 high rail protection posts 

approx 500mm either side of pit 

wherever vehicular traffic is possible 

(Except where GST continues on the 

opposite side of the pit) 

PIT 

GST TO PIT INTERFACE 

Metal end cover secured 

to GLT lid 

Concrete 

Troughing lid cut and bent parallel 

to GLT lid 

Steel trough tar epoxy coated 

to 150mm above ground 

GST TO PIT INTERFACE 

Drg No 112000 / 8 / 3 

Date 

Jan 2010 

Figure 12 

GST / Pit Interface 




Figure 13 

Buried Route to Equipment box 




Figure 14 

GLT to Equipment box 




Crushed Rock or Concrete pad 1000 wide 

x 100 thick 

around location case 

Height not to exceed 

location case base 

| 

22.5 max 

GST 

GST TO LOCATION CASE 

TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT 

PIT 

600 x 

600 

min 

Location Case 

800 High rail protection posts where 

required 

GST 

GST TO LOCATION CASE 

TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT 

Date 

Drg No 112000 / 14 / 3 

Jan 2010 

Figure 15 

GST to Equipment box 




Figure 16 

Preferred cable pits and covers for local signalling conduit type 

works 




Figure 17 

Preferred cable pits and covers for ULX, URX and Main Signalling 

Conduit type works 




Preferred Pit for Fibre Optic Cable being type P6 & P8 

NOTE: REFER TO INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGERS TYPE 

APPROVAL LIST FOR CURRENT AND FURTHER 

INFORMATION 

PREFERRED CABLE PITS AND COVERS FOR FIBRE OPTIC 

AND COMMUNICATIONS CABLING FOR CONDUIT WORKS 

Drg No 112000/5/16 

Date 

Jan 2010 

Figure 18 

Preferred cable pits and covers for fibre optic and communications 

cabling for conduit works 




Figure 19 

Preferred cable pits and covers for communications cabling 

conduit works 




Figure 20 

Signalling Equipment Rail Protection Post, Cable Route Marker 

Post and Cable Joint Marker Post 




Figure 21 

Preferred Type 5 Ground Level Troughing (GLT) 




SECTION 23.0 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 

The following documents have been used as references in the preparation and usage of 

this Standard: 

a) VRIOGS 0001 Structural Gauge Envelopes-Minimum clearances for Infrastructure 

adjacent to the Railway 

b) VRIOGS 007 Infrastructure Drawing Standards 

c) Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network 

d) AS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules 

e) Australian Standard 1657 Fixed Platforms, walkways, stairways and ladders-Design, 

Construction and Installation 

f) Australian Standard AS/NZS 2053.1 Conduits and fittings for electrical installations 

g) Australian Standard AS/NZS 3008.1.1 Electrical installations- Selection of cables 

h) Australian Standard AS 4799 Installation of underground utility services and pipe 

lines within railway boundaries 

i) Australian Standards AS4058 Precast concrete conduits (pressure and non – 

pressure) 

j) Australian Standards AS/NZS 4130 Polyethylene (PE) conduits for pressure 

applications 

k) Australian Standard AS/ACIF S009 Installation requirements for customer cabling 

(Wiring Rules) 

l) Occupational Health and Safety Act 

m) AS 4687 Temporary Fencing and Hoardings 

n) VicTrack Communications Cable Installation Specification TS-SP-013 

o) AS 2758 Aggregates and rock for engineering purposes 

p) AS4678 Earth Retaining Walls 

q) AS3996 Access Covers and Grates 

r) VicRoads Standard Specification for Road works and Bridge Works 

It is entirely the Constructor’s responsibility to ensure that the documents as specified 

above; refer to the latest version of the documents listed, or to any documents replacing 

these for use.

VRIOGS 012.2.1 - Public Transport Victoria

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