In the past week, I have heard (from a few reliable sources) that Pacific National have lost the Bemax contract to a consortium lead by Toll (including Balco).

I would imagine, that we could see some interesting locomotive set-ups in the future if this does prove true.

Has anyone else heard on how they plan to run this train? 1 rumour that seems to be gaining traction is distributed power, and 14,000t trains (reducing frequency down to 2 trains a week).

For those who are not aware, the current working of this train is carried out by PN from Bemax siding (On the outskirts of Broken Hill) for Cristal Mining, which is then run down to Port Flat in Adelaide. Currently, 6 trains a week run usually in the order of the long consist 1 day, and the short consist the following day.

Interesting news.  What is the usual PN power on this train?  What is the train number?

Are we entering a period where TOLL will start to run their own trains starting with Bemax?

Interesting news.  What is the usual PN power on this train?  What is the train number?

Are we entering a period where TOLL will start to run their own trains starting with Bemax?

PN usually use the NR's just about to go in for servicing.
Train numbers are:
1561s/5162s
1563s/5164s

As for your second point, this is the same thought I was starting to have. Perhaps part of a grander plan now that Japan Post have purchased them? Time will tell

As for your second point, this is the same thought I was starting to have. Perhaps part of a grander plan now that Japan Post have purchased them? Time will tell

If the above ideas about TOLL entering the rail marketplace are true or can become common I wonder who will lose the current TOLL rail business?  TOLL use a lot of trucks and may now see rail as a viable solution for their freight network.

The next question of course would be where to now for yards and terminals?  TOLL could have a great opportunity to integrate their warehousing and distribution centres with rail using sidings and access akin to that already implemented by SCT.

TOLL is interesting because they can enter rail with an existing customer base.  It would be more of modal shift rather than a recast.

There certainly does appear to be an ever increasing trend to a model where "end users" are investing in their own wagon fleets and even further locomotive fleets, that are then operated by existing train operating companies like CBH Grain haulage in WA, Fletchers Export service out of Dubbo, Xtrata in coal and so on.   It gives them much greater control over their entire supply/logistics chain whilst enabling them to competively bid for who will actually operate these services for them.   The SCT model has to be the best example of how fully integrated their entire operation is and of course the entire operation and equipment is totally customised to suit their business.  Even with the big downturn in WA their operation is extremely impressive and clearly works for them.

Given the size of Toll and their existing markets and established business making the next step change to fully integrate rail into their operation where they effectively have total control both commercially and operationally is not out of the question.   Yes there is the set up costs in equipment and they could as QUBE has done lease that initially from CFCLA.   These are interesting times when its known that AURIZON in particularly are struggling with their interstate intermodal business.  Their model sees them showing no or very little interest in regional freight so you never know they could decide to wind down especially if there is increased competition from the likes of QUBE or Toll and especially if SCT were to expand on the east coast running Brisbane-Melbourne.

Interesting

 These are interesting times when its known that AURIZON in particularly are struggling with their interstate intermodal business.  Their model sees them showing no or very little interest in regional freight so you never know they could decide to wind down especially if there is increased competition from the likes of QUBE or Toll and especially if SCT were to expand on the east coast running Brisbane-Melbourne.

Aurizon have not shown any interest I can recall in regional freight especially outside of Queensland.  There are opportunities to run regional services as feeder services for the interstate traffic and perhaps this is the problem?

South West Victoria and South East SA are available to those who are interested in building a business.  Traffic from here could build interstate loading for Aurizon.

Interesting developments indeed.
Is Toll shifting it's interests?

I recently had an email at work from one of my suppliers informing me that they were shifting there transport away from Toll to another company.

The supplier isn't a small company btw, it sponsors a major v8 event in South Australia!

A bit of premature speculation methinks re TOLL. They have been involved with the Balco consortium for quite a few years now as a logistics partner.

Just because it looks like they are involved in this particular contract doesn't necessarily indicate they are looking to get involved in rail again.

It's more likely a logistics contract rather than a rail contract.

Interesting developments indeed.
Is Toll shifting it's interests?

I recently had an email at work from one of my suppliers informing me that they were shifting there transport away from Toll to another company.

The supplier isn't a small company btw, it sponsors a major v8 event in South Australia!

Must say I like it when Toll has work removed from them. Just hope it hasn't gone to LinPox.

Must say I like it when Toll has work removed from them. Just hope it hasn't gone to LinPox.

Nope not them, it went to a 'Starry' mob who claim to be 'on track'

Nope not them, it went to a 'Starry' mob who claim to be 'on track'

Damn, so it might end up with Pox trucks towing it... Sadly the trucking industry is fraked these days...

In the past week, I have heard (from a few reliable sources) that Pacific National have lost the Bemax contract to a consortium lead by Toll (including Balco).

I would imagine, that we could see some interesting locomotive set-ups in the future if this does prove true.

Also heard today that PN have also lost the Ore train contract from Broken Hill to Port Pirie, contract picked up by the same consortium that got the BeMax contract.

Also heard today that PN have also lost the Ore train contract from Broken Hill to Port Pirie, contract picked up by the same consortium that got the BeMax contract.

Yay, no more NR's on these services!

I believe Bowmans Intermodal have the contract, & will likely rely on leased rollingstock, probably only CM &/or CF class locomoives.

Yay, no more NR's on these services!

I believe Bowmans Intermodal have the contract, & will likely rely on leased rollingstock, probably only CM &/or CF class locomoives.

Who is the rail operator behind Bowmans or are the an accredited operator?

Who is the rail operator behind Bowmans or are the an accredited operator?

I understand Patrick PortLink (part of Asciano) operate the Balco trains. So unless Patrick PortLink is going to be running the trains, it might signal Bowmans setting up their own accreditation?

I understand Patrick PortLink (part of Asciano) operate the Balco trains. So unless Patrick PortLink is going to be running the trains, it might signal Bowmans setting up their own accreditation?

Cheers.  Outside of Steel and Coal PN's business is looking a little downbeat.

Cheers.  Outside of Steel and Coal PN's business is looking a little downbeat.

It might help them streamline their fleet - rather than spend big $$$ updating older motive power to current spec models, they might shed a few contracts that are not paying enough to justify the investment in new toys. We might see the downturn of the older 3000hp locos like the G, 81 and BL classes, with some placed into storage outside of harvest season. Certainly it will be the death of the last few old bangers still hanging on. Less wear and tear on the NR Class fleet which ups reliability can't be a bad thing.

All speculation, mind.

I understand Patrick PortLink (part of Asciano) operate the Balco trains. So unless Patrick PortLink is going to be running the trains, it might signal Bowmans setting up their own accreditation?

No. This was discussed in another thread or on another site, I just can't remember all of what was said and where.

The consortium is Bowmans Intermodal and no new accreditation needs to be set up, though they may use someone else's for this particular traffic. A few interstate strangers have been note wandering around SA lately

Thanks for clearing that up bingley hall. My apologies, as a non-native of South Australia, I'd missed the changeover by PPL to Bowmans!

I can see PN's business contracting even more. Coal is on the nose with demand way down.

PN's intermodal business is shrinking.

The good news is other operators are moving in and are picking up business.

I don't eleven PN have any real business which is unprofitable although coal could be moving in that direction.

PN have plenty of locomotives available. More than they have traffic and it is about to get worse.

The really fascinating I divining out of this deal is GWA not there again.

Can't agree with all I have read in the last post but seems GWA not in the current deal unless they are involved with Balco/Bomens?

Would say intermodal for PN is on the slide as evidenced by their financial reporting.

I can see PN's business contracting even more. Coal is on the nose with demand way down.

PN's intermodal business is shrinking.

The good news is other operators are moving in and are picking up business.

I don't eleven PN have any real business which is unprofitable although coal could be moving in that direction.

PN have plenty of locomotives available. More than they have traffic and it is about to get worse.

The really fascinating I divining out of this deal is GWA not there again.

Not paying attention as usual.

Coal prices may be down, but volumes are not decreasing.

Not paying attention as usual.

Coal prices may be down, but volumes are not decreasing.

I think you may find volumes have decreased for PN in NSW.

https://www.railpage.com.au/news/s/pacific-national-s-freight-rail-coal-haulage-down

The really fascinating I divining out of this deal is GWA not there again.

Indeed. You would think that they would have been keen to get in on this, with the amount of business they have lost in SA recently and all those locomotives haemorrhaging money every minute they sit around without work.