South Spur to replace PNT?

Only15 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:49 am

Taken from The Advocate

>An interstate rail company has been spotted preparing to have talks with the government, raising speculation it may be keen to buy Pacific National's Tasmanian rail freight operations.
WA-based South Spur Rail Services, whose parent company is ASX-listed Coote Industrial Group, is understood to have held discussions with the Tasmanian Government.

Australian Rail Tram and Bus Industry Union branch secretary Samantha Simonetis said the union had "bumped into South Spur in the foyer" while attending a recent meeting with the government over the PN withdrawal and its impact on workers.

PN hopes to sell its Tasmanian freight business by September.

Its parent company, Asciano, issued a statement recently saying it had about nine potential buyers.

The company is selling its Tasmanian operations as a going concern.

Ms Simonetis said the union was concerned the rail operation would be split among more than one operator or bought by one that was anti- union.

She was also concerned a trucking company might buy the operation and, as PN had done, transfer more freight from rail to road.

Meanwhile, PN workers remain anxious.
"They don't know what sort of future they have here, what the future of rail is in Tasmania," Ms Simonetis said.

"No-one can answer that."

She said PN "don't speak to anybody" and Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges had told the union he could not comment on who he was having discussions with.

Mr Sturges' office issued a statement yesterday but declined to give any real detail.

"Given the current sale process, it would be inappropriate for the Minister to comment other than to say he has met with a number of interested parties," his office said.

Neither South Spur or Coote Industrial responded to inquiries. <

What is everyones thoughts?

Remember,
The light at the end of the tunnel could very well be an on-comming train! Wink

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Z1NorthernProgress2110 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:07 pm

Well, the maroon and yellow engine back the good old AN type livery? or how about a reverse of the South Spur/Coote livery?

Also, Chas Kelly is still looking at buying PNT as well, that 2 in the running for PNT.

Cheers Damien Smith
http://z1-2110gallery.fotopic.net
Updated 28th September, includes various Y2151 shunting and Upper Burnie lookout pics

Only15 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:11 pm

Since South Spur have bought the ZB's (can't remember how many) would this mean that our current loco's would stay put?
If Chas Kelly got a hold of the system the Railways in tasmania would be doomed!

Remember,
The light at the end of the tunnel could very well be an on-comming train! Wink

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Z1NorthernProgress2110 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:15 pm

Well, they have 3 ZBs. The locos in tasmania all need a good rebuild

As for Chas, i'm not doubting him, he might use the railways, instead of his trucks. You never never know with him

Cheers Damien Smith
http://z1-2110gallery.fotopic.net
Updated 28th September, includes various Y2151 shunting and Upper Burnie lookout pics

Only15 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 12:43 pm

yes i have to agree about the loco's, but you never know South Spur they could come along and do good, and hopefully be very railfan friendly.

Chas, I think, would most likely shut it all down....... but like you said, you never know!

Remember,
The light at the end of the tunnel could very well be an on-comming train! Wink

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574M · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 3:00 pm

$$$

—who and how ???

The questions I would be asking is who can make money out of PNT and how, if PNT is leaving it as a losing concern, even AFTER bailouts by the Tasmanian Govt.

With nine potential buyers in there, I would have to ask, what is being sold, is it below the top of the rail or above the top of the rail, or both?

Nine potential buyers must be figuring out how they can make a quid out of current operations with PNT assets.

The Infrastructure minister might be asking "What else do they bring to Tasmania besides just a take over of operations??? What assets do you bring, what will you do with the assets?"

austrain · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 4:10 pm

Chas Kelly has nearly stated as much that he would be using his trucks over rail. Agree rail doomed if he gets his dirty hands on it.

Be suprised to see any of the 2 man locos overhauled. ZA's maybe? ZB's / ZC's unlikely. Unless they turned them into DOO units. Cheaper to run DOO trains than 2 man crews.

How much money do you waste on the current locos? Use lots of fuel & oil, and with the EPA starting up, the current EE locos would hardly meet enviromental standards / emission targets.

Re - engine them and then thats a different story. The fuel & oil saved would pay for a new motor pretty quick as fuel prices rise.

9 buyers seem alot? How many serious buyers is another matter.

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Z1NorthernProgress2110 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 5:17 pm

I agree on re-engine the EE locos, GE motors? or the current EE style donk, MAN B&W Diesel have anything in its range, similar to the 12CSVT?

We all have to wait, only another month(tomorrow) to go.

Cheers Damien Smith
http://z1-2110gallery.fotopic.net
Updated 28th September, includes various Y2151 shunting and Upper Burnie lookout pics

austrain · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:14 pm

MAN did have something years ago at ATN looked at them, not sure what they were now.

Wouldn't really matter what type, long as it was current technolgy & good on fuel. Match it up to a new alternator & new traction motors. But i think we are dreaming.

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Z1NorthernProgress2110 · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 6:23 pm

We? whos we? Laughing

Cheers Damien Smith
http://z1-2110gallery.fotopic.net
Updated 28th September, includes various Y2151 shunting and Upper Burnie lookout pics

12CSVT · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 5:18 am

austrain · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:35 am

Heaven help the staff if Evetts gets back here! Anti union & anti workers!

He may have been ok to deal with for the societys, as he was pro tourist trains. (that is good) but his management style towards the staff is not good.

Same old management recycled yet again!

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12CSVT · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:30 pm

I'm pretty sure ATN's anti-union stance was well in place before Evatts took charge. I have also heard that privately, Evatts was opposed to many of ATN's more objectionable policies, but was compelled to carry them out - at least until ATN (or PNT? I cant recall the chronology) felt that he wasn't sufficiently 'enthusiastic' enough about their 'way' and efficiently engineered his removal to be replaced by the more compliant automaton, Neil McKinnon. Now there's someone that didn't like workers or unions!!

Additionally, there were a couple personalities underneath Evatts (one in particular who managed to singlehandedly cause a strike! You know who I'm talking about!!??) who were particularly bad news as far as ATN / PNT's workers were concerned and a much more significant problem for the RTBU. I have also heard Evatts would have loved to have gotten rid of those individuals because of the disharmony they engendered, but they were 'protected'. Instead of the troublemakers, Evatts himself got the chop.

Now, whilst this is what I have heard from certain drivers and the RTBU, as I dont work for PN, I cannot vouch 100% for the above being completetly accurate, but it has come from more than one source. Still, if it is bull#### - well - I am only reporting what I have been told previously!

Cheers,
SZ

The_trolley · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:44 pm

God help the train crews if cootes/Silverton gets into Tasmania, if you guys reckon PNT was bad wait until you see cootes in action, a reject operator in NSW, likely reject operator in Tasmania too.

A lot of the recent cootes repaints are just that, dulux overhauls, little spent on the mechanical side, having watched Silverton/cootes in action here in NSW I can see cootes being a lot worse to Tasmania than PNT ever was especially in regards to crew conditions.

Regards,
Scott

austrain · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:01 pm

heard the same thing Scott.

Steve, I could go into specifics, but its not the place for that. I think most would agree that fresh management is needed.

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