FREIGHT trains are expected to become a more common sight coming through Hamilton in the future following the announcement of a Federal Budget commitment on Tuesday night of an upgrade investment of $150 million for the 172-kilometre Maroona to Portland line.

Both Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) and the Rail Freight Alliance (RFA) released statements welcoming the news, with the latter calling the announcement “imperative, given the mineral sands 900,000-ton annual freight task to commence within two years”.