Mr Fullerton, speaking at a new freight hub announcement at The Cube on Thursday, said even a potential big passenger uptake in the future wouldn’t eradicate the route’s woes.

“I don’t think it means a lot for the line at this point - if the high-speed line were to be built it would be for passengers - the bulk of the tonnes that operate from Melbourne to Wodonga and then up to Sydney are freight trains,” he said.

“The passengers only operate a small percentage of the total tonnage, so if passenger trains (were to come) off the line it doesn’t really make much of a material difference.”

Mr Fullerton said a recently completed ballast rehabilitation program had solved many issues – for freight at least.

“We’ve got the network up to a standard that is delivering the services our customers want,” he said.

“We’ll continue to have issues, but we’ve made a lot of progress.

“A couple of years ago, I stood outside this auditorium with Cathy McGowan talking with some pretty fired up passengers of V/Line.

“That was during a period when we saw a lot of freight and passenger services affected by … poor balance conditions and extensive mud holes.”

Mr Fullerton said recurring track issues would require ongoing maintenance.

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Albury mayor Henk van de Ven has reservations about the viability of the newest high-speed rail proposal from Melbourne to Sydney. Read more.

The new rail plan has slated a new regional inland city between Albury and Wagga – the Henty area fits the bill as it almost splits the centres. Read more.

A first freight route from Wodonga to Adelaide will be among the ambitions for the new rail hub at Barnawartha. Read more.

The NSW and Victorian state governments are still in the dark about the latest plan to build a fast rail system. Read more.