According to a local media report yesterday, Fenning Timber is considering construction of a full service intermodal terminal on the site of the former Bosworth Rd log loading facilty, which it ran for about 10 years in the early 2000s.

The company indicated that it would include a large hardstand, upgraded 3 phase power for refrigerated containers and associated security/lighting.

It also stated that the new Stratford bridge and associated rail upgrades were assisting factors, and that it could be operated in conjunction with the QUBE paper train.

At 280km from Melbourne, Bairnsdale is a contestable distance for rail freight - the company now intends to commission a business case to test its proposal.

Fennings operate a hardwood sawmill adjacent to the site, which will obviously be significantly impacted by the forthcoming ban on native hardwood logging.

According to a local media report yesterday, Fenning Timber is considering construction of a full service intermodal terminal on the site of the former Bosworth Rd log loading facilty, which it ran for about 10 years in the early 2000s.

The company indicated that it would include a large hardstand, upgraded 3 phase power for refrigerated containers and associated security/lighting.

It also stated that the new Stratford bridge and associated rail upgrades were assisting factors, and that it could be operated in conjunction with the QUBE paper train.

At 280km from Melbourne, Bairnsdale is a contestable distance for rail freight - the company now intends to commission a business case to test its proposal.

Fennings operate a hardwood sawmill adjacent to the site, which will obviously be significantly impacted by the forthcoming ban on native hardwood logging.

There has been talk about an intermodal terminal there for years. It was hoped that Dyers would setup their bairnsdale operations next to the rail line when they built their facility in bosworth rd which is near vegco now. Bairnsdale could very easily produce the same or more traffic than Warnambool does. Will be interesting if they update the loading on the line to permit G class or similar to bairnsdale once the Avon Bridge is finished.

There has been talk about an intermodal terminal there for years. It was hoped that Dyers would setup their bairnsdale operations next to the rail line when they built their facility in bosworth rd which is near vegco now. Bairnsdale could very easily produce the same or more traffic than Warnambool does. Will be interesting if they update the loading on the line to permit G class or similar to bairnsdale once the Avon Bridge is finished.

Dyers have never been rail aligned and spent years fighting State regulations that forced product to be transported by rail without permits. The Bosworth Rd intermodal had $2m spent on the siding and bunding about 2002, which was fine for log loading but obviously not for containers. You are quite right that Bairnsdale could generate substantial processed foods traffic with the mineral sands possibly becoming a very large business - but that is still awaiting final regulatory approval.

I believe G's are only permitted to run as far as Traralgon at the moment - all the timber bridges have been replaced in recent years in the Rosedale-Bairnsdale section. There has been talk of freight coming back to Bairnsdale for quite a while but it was all academic with the Avon River bridge condition stopping new business.

The company indicated that it would include a large hardstand, upgraded 3 phase power for refrigerated containers and associated security/lighting.

Fennings operate a hardwood sawmill adjacent to the site, which will obviously be significantly impacted by the forthcoming ban on native hardwood logging.

Two questions: 1) Why does a timber company need refrigerated containers, and 2) Why would a hardwood company expand operations if hardwood logging is about to be banned? Are there hardwood plantations around Bairnsdale, because most of the stuff I've seen (towards the SA border) is softwood pine?

The company indicated that it would include a large hardstand, upgraded 3 phase power for refrigerated containers and associated security/lighting.

Fennings operate a hardwood sawmill adjacent to the site, which will obviously be significantly impacted by the forthcoming ban on native hardwood logging.

Two questions: 1) Why does a timber company need refrigerated containers, ?

Because they want to diversify into making money from operating an intermodal terminal used by multiple customers.

I wonder if Freight Victoria is behind this?

I wonder if Freight Victoria is behind this?

I hope not, because history shows intermodal schemes that are dreamed up by the government (Freight Victoria is a Department of Transport program) tend towards failure.

Intermodal freight has the best chance of success when the companies involved have skin in the game.

The company indicated that it would include a large hardstand, upgraded 3 phase power for refrigerated containers and associated security/lighting.

Fennings operate a hardwood sawmill adjacent to the site, which will obviously be significantly impacted by the forthcoming ban on native hardwood logging.

Two questions: 1) Why does a timber company need refrigerated containers, and 2) Why would a hardwood company expand operations if hardwood logging is about to be banned? Are there hardwood plantations around Bairnsdale, because most of the stuff I've seen (towards the SA border) is softwood pine?

Not sure where you are from ADB, but just in case your from interstate or not otherwise aware, the Victorian government has decreed that native timber harvesting will cease in 2030. reality will probably have that sooner. Any plantations that do exist will already be sold into the paper or woodchip/export industry, and given it takes 20+ years to mature a hardwood tree, all the mills in the region are prety much on borrowed time. Those in the industry that have the capacity are looking to diversify now so they can continue to exist post when the timber supply stops.

Fennings should be able to do ok if they can get grants or finance to setup a proper hardstand and mode shift facility. Bosworth rd siding is good for about 25-30 wagons split either side of the road.

Because they want to diversify into making money from operating an intermodal terminal used by multiple customers.

Those in the industry that have the capacity are looking to diversify now so they can continue to exist post when the timber supply stops.

Thanks for the clarification. Was scratching my head for a minute, there.

I cannot find anywhere on the internet with information on this proposal does anyone else have a link?

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but there might be movement at the station on this one.

This weeks Weekly notice from vline has from 11/11 to 25/11 them doing re-sleepering, ballast, geometry and walkway repairs at the Bosworth Rd siding.

I was also passing by the site last weekend as i visited family and noted a nice new looking entry to the site with "Fenning Intermodal Freight Terminal F.I.F.T" signage at the entry.

While there was no hardstand at the site, the loading of logs for as long as they did may not need them to construct one if they are getting into containers.

Might be worth those with contacts in SSR and QUBE (as i dont see PN doing anything) keeping an ear out if there hasn't been any whispers yet

EDIT : Found This https://www.janegarrett.org.au/media-releases/future-in-freight-for-fenning-timbers/

they got a 700k grant in june to develop the facility

some other links found after a quick google
Generic media article on the timber industry
https://www.timberbiz.com.au/east-gippsland-councils-insipid-response-to-native-forestry/

Planning permit application for light towers
https://egswazstorage.blob.core.windows.net/pubwebcontent/advertised-planning-permit-applications/4202021P_2_Holloway_Street_Bairnsdale.pdf

Australian Forests & Timber magazine P12
https://issuu.com/provincialpressgroup/docs/aft080520-digital

This is quite a significant article from August 2020 that has QUBE involved as a partner

Looks like we are going to get to see freight back on the gippsland rail line, as was foreseen, following the replacement of the avon river bridge at stratford.

Google is your friend. Yep, looks like a log train:
https://www.janegarrett.org.au/media-releases/future-in-freight-for-fenning-timbers/

Here's what I found when I visited last week. A lot of activity going on along the line.



https://youtu.be/WG_O6a5F888

The Weekly notice has an update that the new speed over the Avon bridge of 90 km/h is now in place, multi unit diesel is permitted again, and sprinters are also allowed on the section. G class still not allowed past Traralgon.

This is an interesting development.

Qube for the service?

The Weekly notice has an update that the new speed over the Avon bridge of 90 km/h is now in place, multi unit diesel is permitted again, and sprinters are also allowed on the section. G class still not allowed past Traralgon.

The speed over the new bridge has been 90 km/h for loco hauled pass and V/locity since opening last December 2020.

VLP need to get moving , if a new bridge was not built for Coopers E-50 loading then would be surprised.  N class and G Class are both 21 tonne axle load, although G is slighltly greater overall length .  For a new bridge G single should certainly be OK , and probably G as double headers albeit speed might be reduced to something like 60 km/h but no big deal.

The Weekly notice has an update that the new speed over the Avon bridge of 90 km/h is now in place, multi unit diesel is permitted again, and sprinters are also allowed on the section. G class still not allowed past Traralgon.

The speed over the new bridge has been 90 km/h for loco hauled pass and V/locity since opening last December 2020.

VLP need to get moving , if a new bridge was not built for Coopers E-50 loading then would be surprised.  N class and G Class are both 21 tonne axle load, although G is slighltly greater overall length .  For a new bridge G single should certainly be OK , and probably G as double headers albeit speed might be reduced to something like 60 km/h but no big deal.

I think the standard bedding in/minimum tonnage rules had speed restrictions on the bridge up to this point. Also, the G has a slightly heavier gross weight. clearly enough to make a difference to the engineers. Gross weight plays more of a role with bridge capacity over axle load, and there's still some timber bridges around Rosedale i belive.

Encouraging to read the yard work in the second stage (probably 2032) will have storage and warehousing what an great idea been happening for years in other places. This is good for Bairnsdale creating jobs

Having trouble understanding where the development is relative to the station yard?

Having trouble understanding where the development is relative to the station yard?

From others posts this development is being undertaken by Fenning timbers so a quick google maps search shows this is where their business is located. I assume the siding is being built to the south of the main line where the stored logs can be seen in the google maps link below. The station is about 2.5km further east.



Matt

That helps a lot thx.

There is a lot of space there and I am asking now where will the timber to railed as I know there was a train someway back to Geelong or near Geelong maybe Colac with logs.

That helps a lot thx.

There is a lot of space there and I am asking now where will the timber to railed as I know there was a train someway back to Geelong or near Geelong maybe Colac with logs.

previously you might describe things as bulk unprocessed logs. What they are working on will be to rail freight their milled wood products, probably in containers, as well as being an open access intermodal port for anyone that wants to use it.

expect the destination for the containers to be melboune (or geelong) for international export, or for distribution interstate to domestic buyers. There is an intermodal terminal around dandenong being developed i belive they could easly drop wagons at as they pass, along with the various major ports and rail operator terminals elsewhere in melbourne.

That helps a lot thx.

There is a lot of space there and I am asking now where will the timber to railed as I know there was a train someway back to Geelong or near Geelong maybe Colac with logs.

previously you might describe things as bulk unprocessed logs. What they are working on will be to rail freight their milled wood products, probably in containers, as well as being an open access intermodal port for anyone that wants to use it.

expect the destination for the containers to be melboune (or geelong) for international export, or for distribution interstate to domestic buyers. There is an intermodal terminal around dandenong being developed i belive they could easly drop wagons at as they pass, along with the various major ports and rail operator terminals elsewhere in melbourne.

True but I also thought that the project was about diversifying the business as the timber harvest is not going to be enough to keep the company going into the future

Bans on native forest logging just for starters

Having trouble understanding where the development is relative to the station yard?
From others posts this development is being undertaken by Fenning timbers so a quick google maps search shows this is where their business is located. I assume the siding is being built to the south of the main line where the stored logs can be seen in the google maps link below. The station is about 2.5km further east.



Matt

The siding already exists (Bosworth Rd siding), it is merely being refurbished. If you zoom in on the satellite view of Google maps you can see it.

The siding is located on the south side of the line. The Up end points are roughly where the industrial development ends on the north side of the line. It extends eastward over Bosworth Road, and the Down end points are near Forge Creek Road.

The Down end points are about 1.75 km from the centre of Bairnsdale platform.

True but I also thought that the project was about diversifying the business as the timber harvest is not going to be enough to keep the company going into the future

Bans on native forest logging just for starters

The previous timber business from 2000-about 2009 was residual roundwood logs that were not good enough to mill, they went to Midway at Geelong for chipping and export. With the gradual winding down of timber operations in East Gippsland (and a ban on any native harvesting after 2030), that business won't resume. The future is in processing plantation timbers (possibly supplemented by over the border resource). Fennings own the intermodal precinct and used rail in the past, so they are not newcomers to the mode. Bairnsdale is 280km from Melbourne, which makes rail freight competitive with road - expect further State support to help the area transition away from low value added timber dependance, the future is in manufactured products and getting food and resources sector on to rail.

It has been great to read this good news thread. Thanks for the updates.