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GrainCorp says it can handle expected bumper crop
 GrainCorp will be able to cope with increased loads from an expected bumper crop and increased demand from major importing nations.
GrainCorp corporate affairs manager David Ginns said there was sufficient road and rail capacity in Queensland, NSW and Victoria to be able to execute a large-scale grain export program, as GrainCorp did last fiscal year when it shipped 6.5 million tonnes of grain through its string of east coast export terminals.
A number of analysts and industry participants this week raised the possibility that the logistics system might be a constraint on exports, given bumper crops in the region and increased global demand for Australian wheat as a result of production downturns in Russia, Europe and elsewhere.
Rabobank cited up-country logistical constraints, while Tom Puddy, wheat manager for the Grain Pool marketing unit of Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd, said a logistics bottleneck and insufficient rail capacity were the story in the eastern states.
Sat September 4th, 2010 | bevans | 139 reads |
ALP/Greens deal puts fast rail a step nearer
The Greens will push for Canberra's inclusion in a feasibility study into a high-speed rail network on the east coast.
Labor has vowed to fast-track the study under a pact with the Greens who decided yesterday to back Prime Minister Julia Gillard's bid to form a minority government.
If it was re-elected, Labor had already promised to spend up to $20 million on a feasibility study into a high-speed rail network on the east coast.
Thu September 2nd, 2010 | freightgate/bevans | 1 comment |  | 156 reads |
Left standing by China's bullet trains
The building of Sydney's new trains is a sideshow on the Chinese factory floor, writes John Garnaut in Changchun.
Three years ago China had planned to lay 13,000 kilometres of high-speed railway by 2020, which would be more than the rest of the world combined.
Note: The building of Sydney's new trains is a sideshow on the Chinese factory floor, writes John Garnaut in Changchun.
Fri August 27th, 2010 | richardlu_yy/bevans | 3 comments | | 367 reads |
Greens to push for high-speed rail link
The State Greens candidate at Saturday's Senate election, Lee Rhiannon, says she will push to have the New South Wales south east included in a high-speed rail link between Newcastle and Melbourne.
The service is a key issue for the party, and may become a reality when the Greens assume the balance of power in the Upper House next year.
Ms Rhiannon says the final route for the train has not been determined, but towns on the Monaro and far south coast are set to benefit.
Thu August 26th, 2010 | bevans | 5 comments |  | 234 reads |
Greens put fast rail back on track
After 25 years of planning, high-speed rail between Newcastle and Melbourne may become reality after the newly empowered Greens pledged to make it a key issue when they assume the balance of power in the Senate next year.
The new NSW Greens senator Lee Rhiannon told the Herald that fast trains, running at up to 350 km/h between Sydney and Melbourne, had been one of the party's most prominent policies during the election campaign.
Tue August 24th, 2010 | freightgate/bevans | 1 comment |  | 125 reads |
Thomas the Tank Engine used in child safety
Normally stationed at a rail museum at Thirlmere, in the New South Wales southern highlands, the steam-powered engine stopped over on platform one today, the first day of National Rail Safety Week.
The week raises awareness of the dangers of trespassing on rail lines, and basic rail safety, after revelations that one child a day fell off a Sydney train platform in March and April - when more kids were using public transport to go to the Royal Easter Show.
"Thomas is a strong advocate for raising awareness about rail safety for kids,'' NSW Transport Minister John Robertson told RailCorp employees, their children and journalists.
Tue August 24th, 2010 | bevans | 92 reads |
Tackling export bottlenecks
IN a story that could have been written yesterday, The Australian reported on December 15, 2004, that
"The Reserve Bank has warned that the economy has run into bottlenecks that have slowed its growth . . ." Despite strong world demand for Australian minerals, then deputy governor Glenn Stevens said, "The economy had hit a speed limit" with "capacity constraints in . . . key areas of transport infrastructure, such as ports and rail."
Six years, a financial crisis and $42 billion worth of stimulus later, the shipping queues off Hay Point and Newcastle again stretch over the horizon as the economy heads to the limits of its capacity. Business leaders calculate that Australia's infrastructure shortfall is at least $770 billion, reflecting long-term neglect by federal and state governments.
Thu August 19th, 2010 | bevans |  | 149 reads |
Leaders back unviable railway
THE proposal to build an inland railway line from Melbourne to Brisbane, now backed by the Coalition and Labor, is not financially viable.
THE $4.7 billion proposal would also threaten the future of existing railways through Sydney.
Tony Abbott made a commitment to the project the centrepiece of his "action plan" on infrastructure yesterday.
Wed August 18th, 2010 | bevans | 4 comments | | 368 reads |
Bradken tips more to come as profit jumps
MINING and engineered products provider Bradken is tipping further profit growth as demand in its key markets return.
The company yesterday reported a 10 per cent lift in annual net profit to $70.44 million despite a 17.6 per cent fall in revenue to $1.01 billion.
Bradken said the profit had rebounded in the second half as the business recovered from the global financial crisis and market conditions improved.
Wed August 11th, 2010 | bevans | 2 comments | 133 reads |
Investors keen, but fast trains derailed
BOND investors would be willing to fund a high-speed rail link but the proposal is unlikely to be realised, analysts say.
As Australians ponder yet another proposal for speedy intercity rail travel, economists and bond market analysts say a major infrastructure bond issuance to fund such a project would be well received by the market.
However, the sceptics say they have seen it all before.
Mon August 9th, 2010 | bevans | 136 reads |
Labor's high-speed east coast rail proposal brings vision to the campaign
LABOR'S proposal for a high-speed rail in east coast corridor will bring real economic and social benefits to the country.
The announcement of a feasibility study into a fast train between Newcastle and Sydney, as a possible first step towards a Brisbane-Sydney-Canberra-Melbourne link, brings a welcome element of policy vision into the election campaign.
High-speed rail in Australia's east coast corridor must become a reality if the federal government is serious about decentralisation, sustainable economic and population growth, climate change, urban congestion and improved transport infrastructure.
This, if nothing else, provides a strong business case for the idea.
Sat August 7th, 2010 | bevans | 7 comments | | 249 reads |
Melbourne-Brisbane rail link not on track
LABOR has committed to two multibillion-dollar rail projects - but producing them could be the tricky part.
Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans for a new 1731-kilometre Melbourne-to-Brisbane inland rail freight route through western New South Wales.
He also announced that work would begin this year on a ''detailed feasibility study'' to identify a corridor for a high-speed rail link between Brisbane and Melbourne, focusing on the corridor between Sydney and Newcastle.
Sat August 7th, 2010 | bevans | 232 reads |
Labor promises high-speed rail study
The Federal Government has announced two pledges to revamp rail transport in eastern Australia in less than 24 hours.
The Government says if it is re-elected it will fund a study into a high-speed rail link along Australia's east coast as well as commit to building an inland rail link between Brisbane and Melbourne.
Fri August 6th, 2010 | bevans | 2 comments | | 203 reads |
Labor pledges Melbourne to Brisbane rail link
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese today committed a re-elected Gillard government to a 1700-kilometre rail link stretching from Brisbane to Melbourne through central west NSW.
Funding for the Inland Rail Link would begin in 2014 with $300 million to reserve land and begin planning.
The freight line would not be expected to be built until 2030 when it became economically viable.
Thu August 5th, 2010 | bevans | | 133 reads |
Albanese announces study into HSR
On Lateline (ABC1) tonight, August 4, Anthony Albanese announces a commitment to a scoping study into an East Coast high speed rail line. Initially a $20m study into the Sydney - Newcastle corridor to be completed within 18 months.
No other details.
Thu August 5th, 2010 | moonetau/bevans | | 103 reads |
Maiden Sydney-to-Melbourne voyage
WODONGA’S new rail bypass has been crossed by a passenger train for the first time.
The inaugural train, a CountryLink XPT on route from Sydney to Melbourne, left Albury railway station at 3.20pm yesterday to give the public its first look at the $181 million project in the way it was intended to be seen — from inside a train.
A mix of passengers took in the new views over the Lincoln Causeway, across the winter-lush Murray River floodplains and the new Wodonga rail station.
Wed August 4th, 2010 | bevans |  | 268 reads |
Greens to push high-speed rail
THE Australian Greens will use their likely Senate power to urge the government to reconsider a high-speed rail link along Australia's east coast, with a new poll showing 74 per cent of people favour the idea.
The Greens are also set to ramp up a campaign warning that ''Tony Abbott is only one seat short of controlling the Senate'' - highlighting a little-known rule that would let the Coalition block legislation should it increase its numbers from 37 to 38.
Sun August 1st, 2010 | bevans | | 194 reads |
Rail line commissioning on track
Parts of the new train line between Seymour and Albury are expected to be commissioned from the end of September.
The north-east rail track has been upgraded and a rail bypass has been built around Wodonga, as part of a project funded by governments and the Australian Rail Track Corporation.
Fri July 30th, 2010 | bevans | | 372 reads |
Asciano opposes bid for joint rail access
ASCIANO is trying to block 16 coalminers from bargaining with QR over use of railway infrastructure associated with a Gladstone port.
The move comes as the miner-funded coal terminal calls for expressions of interest from miners for a second-stage expansion of the $4 billion Wiggins Island coal export terminal at Gladstone from 2015 or 2016.
Wed July 28th, 2010 | bevans | 127 reads |
Drivers to be warned of oncoming trains
Wireless technology to warn cars at level crossings of oncoming trains - potentially eliminating collisions and saving lives - could be ready to roll out in three years, researchers say.
La Trobe University in Melbourne is developing the technology, to be trialled in 100 vehicles.
The trial, to begin next year, should be completed by the end of 2012, the head of the $4 million project Jack Singh said.
The system uses wireless and GPS technology to broadcast a visual and audio warning in vehicles approaching level crossings when a train is expected.
Sat July 24th, 2010 | bevans | 2 comments | | 208 reads |
New $500m railway line 'unsafe'
LARGE sections of the newly upgraded Melbourne-Albury rail line have been declared unsafe, forcing trains to slow down and prompting claims that the $500 million project has been bungled.
The train drivers union says speed restrictions have had to be enforced along 58 kilometres of the line where hundreds of large, mud-filled potholes have formed under the newly installed sleepers and rails.
The union says the holes under the tracks have caused carriages to separate and train drivers to almost bounce out of their seats. And it says resulting speed restrictions are adding an hour to the supposedly high-speed Melbourne-Sydney XPT passenger service.
Thu July 22nd, 2010 | bevans | | 243 reads |
Labor going backwards on roads and rail
A report yesterday warned that the condition of state and local roads, rail and electricity infrastructure had all gone backwards.
THE problems plaguing Labor in NSW were highlighted yesterday when
The report by Engineers Australia found that "major changes" were needed to the state's infrastructure as it was generally in a poor to average condition.
As the population is forecast to rise by between 30 and 60 per cent by 2051, the private and public sectors would need to invest a significant amount of money just to bring the infrastructure to a reasonable standard.
Wed July 21st, 2010 | bevans | 140 reads |
10 Tunnels to celebrate 100th anniversary
PLANS are underway to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the opening of the ‘Ten Tunnels’ rail link to Lithgow and the closing of the Zig Zag, with a weekend of railway heritage activities on October 16 and 17.
Tue July 20th, 2010 | flying_donkey/bevans | | 197 reads |
Miner says poor infrastructure jeopardises projects
The company behind a North Burnett mine says projects in the Wide Bay region in southern Queensland are suffering because of inadequate transport infrastructure.
RMM Capital took control of Monto Minerals in January 2009 after the company's Goondicum mine at Monto failed to meet production targets.
The company is currently investigating logistical and market prospects before a decision to reopen the mine is made.
Wed June 30th, 2010 | vanessa/bevans | 133 reads |
Inland rail route pushed in foodbowl direction
State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell said the Nationals' federal conference in Canberra recently carried a motion supporting the proposed foodbowl route as the alignment for a major new inland rail corridor.
The rail corridor would run between Melbourne and Brisbane, with the foodbowl route taking it through Shepparton, Tocumwal, Jerilderie and Narrandera.
Members of Food Bowl Inland Rail Alliance (FBIRA) met with federal Nationals leader and Shadow Trade, Transport and Local Government Minister Warren Truss in Narrandera before the conference to advocate for the Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail Corridor to follow the foodbowl route.
Tue June 29th, 2010 | bevans | 215 reads |
Adelaide to Melbourne rail upgrade not cost effective
Operators servicing the Adelaide to Melbourne route may be able to put fears of increased rail competition to rest if the final Adelaide Rail Freight Movements Study report is accepted.
The report, compiled by consultancy firm GHD for the federal transport department, concludes that even the cheapest upgrade − improving the tortuous existing rail path through the Adelaide Hills − is not cost effective.
Fri June 25th, 2010 | bevans | | 357 reads |
Granville Fatality (Long Delays)
A fatal incident at Granville has caused major delays on the Western, Southern, Blue Mountains and North Shore rail lines this morning.
Mon May 31st, 2010 | Sevie/bevans | | 1813 reads |
Very fast rail travel figures add up
WHEN business travellers want to get from London to Paris in a hurry, or from Paris to Brussels, or from Madrid to Barcelona, or from Wuhan to Guangzhou, or from Tokyo to Osaka, they don't rush to the airport. They get to a railway station and catch a train.
Mon May 24th, 2010 | richardlu_yy/bevans | 3 comments | | 374 reads |
SCT Expands with trial freight service
SCT Logistics has commenced rail van trials between Melbourne and Brisbane. The trials began on 2 February with the relocation of significant volumes of stock for the Heinz Corporation into its new distribution facility in Northgate, Queensland.
Note: Clearly the Heinz company should be congratulated for the "green" approach to freight movement as evidenced by comments from their CEO. Further discussions can be found HERE
Thu May 20th, 2010 | bevans | | 320 reads |
GrainCorp reduces rail freight rates
Grains marketer GrainCorp Ltd says it has cut rail freight rates for the 2010/11 harvest.
GrainCorp said on Tuesday that it had reduced the average freight rate per tonne by two per cent across 197 GrainCorp sites served by rail.
"For more than 100 sites, we have reduced rail rates by an average of $2.40 per tonne, or over six per cent," GrainCorp said in a statement.
Wed May 19th, 2010 | bevans | 199 reads |
Govt's transport commitment questioned
Infrastructure lobby groups are questioning the Federal Government's commitment to public transport projects and traffic congestion solutions.
Two years ago, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd established Infrastructure Australia as an expert panel to prioritise a range of projects including new road and rail developments in the nation's capital cities.
However, last night's budget revealed few new urban projects, and the lobby group Infrastructure Partnerships Australia is hoping any new money is being held back for election promises.
Mon May 17th, 2010 | bevans | 1 comment | 177 reads |
Asciano snags $1b deal for Toll rail freight
Asciano Group says it's signed a contract with Toll Holdings to haul intermodal rail freight, with expected revenues of up to $1 billion over five years.
Under the contract, Asciano's Pacific National Intermodal division will supply rail haulage services to Toll to move containers and cars interstate.
The contract includes options to extend the initial term of five years for up to another 10 years.
Sun May 16th, 2010 | bevans | 1 comment | 191 reads |
Tanner defends focus on rail over road taxes
FINANCE Minister Lindsay Tanner has defended the Rudd government's rejection of recommendations in the Henry tax review to lift charges on heavy road transport.
Despite rail freight producing fewer carbon emissions than trucks, Mr Tanner said yesterday the government preferred to invest in rail to make it more cost-competitive than to lift road transport charges.
The Henry review, released earlier this month, called on the government to accelerate the development of taxes on trucks commensurate to the level of damage that they inflicted on roads.
And the review panel said that on routes where road freight was in direct competition with rail that was required to recover its capital costs, heavy vehicles should face an additional charge on a comparable basis where it improved the efficient allocation of freight between the different transport modes.
Sun May 16th, 2010 | bevans | | 140 reads |
Rudd pushes rail to boost productivity, take trucks off road
A billion-dollar investment in upgrading rail infrastructure will boost productivity and lead to less trucks on the road, the Rudd Government says.
Following the allocation of $1 billion for rail projects in the Budget, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese says the Government is spending around $37 billion on rail, roads and ports.
“We are doing all of this to raise productivity, support jobs and ensure a national return,” Albanese says.
The upgrades to rail lines in four states are designed to reduce delays and allow heavier trains to use the network.
Sun May 16th, 2010 | bevans | 177 reads |
Push for end to road fuel transport
Local efforts to stop fuel being transported through the region on B-double trucks could be boosted by a new campaign by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.
More fuel tankers have been travelling western region roads since Shell stopped transporting fuel by rail to Dubbo, Tamworth and Canberra in November.
The union is lobbying to have each state and territory introduce a uniform change to their Dangerous Goods Act, which would require materials such as petrol to be transported via rail.
Thu January 7th, 2010 | bevans | 4 comments | | 222 reads |
A new year’s revolution: Build the high speed Australian ring rail
“In this New Year, Australia must urgently take a lead from the Chinese, and build a high speed rail network to conquer Australia’s ‘tyranny of distance’ and open up vast areas of Australia for future economic development,” Citizens Electoral Council leader Craig Isherwood said today.
Mr Isherwood said that China has just commenced a regular, scheduled train service on the high‑speed railway between central China’s Wuhan and the southern coast city of Guangzhou (formerly, the British Canton). The 1069‑kilometre journey, which used to take 10.5 hours, can be now completed in three hours. The train’s average speed was 350 kilometres per hour, reaching at one point a speed of 394 km/h. For comparison, the average speed for high‑speed trains in Japan is 243 km/h and in France, 277 km/h.
“This would be brilliant technology for Australia!” exclaimed Mr Isherwood.
“In 2010, we need to start building Professor Lance Endersbee’s 1997 proposal for an Australian Ring Rail, which is a rail system to connect Melbourne through inland Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, to Darwin, and then from Darwin to Perth, Western Australia. His proposal means that we could take a trip from Melbourne to Darwin, via inland towns of Shepparton (Vic), Dubbo (NSW), Narrabri (NSW), Moree (NSW), Roma (Qld), Charleville (Qld) through to Darwin, a distance of about 4,000 kilometres in around 11 hours.
Note: Discussions on this media release can be found in the forums
Fri January 1st, 2010 | bevans | 4 comments | | 387 reads |
Santa train keeps Christmas spirit on track
Funny how you always find something in the last place you look. It's a bit like that with me and Christmas spirit this year.
Unmoved by cards, syrupy carols and faux fir trees, I had to go halfway across the country by train to find it at a whistlestop called Watson on the edge of the Nullabor.
Wed December 23rd, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | | 275 reads |
MP blames Govt for Austrak job cuts
The federal Member for Riverina blames flaws with the Government's economic stimulus package for the loss of 64 jobs in Wagga Wagga.
The concrete sleeper maker Austrak has cut its workforce to 19 after completing a contract for 1.6 million concrete sleepers.
Mon December 14th, 2009 | bevans | | 305 reads |
Rudd urges private sector rail link investment
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says private investment is vital to ensure the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line in north Queensland is upgraded.
Community groups and councils from Townsville to Mount Isa have been lobbying for an upgrade of the line for several years.
Wed December 9th, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | | 315 reads |
Fortescue to push harder for rail access
Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group Ltd is set to bolster its case for access to Rio Tinto Ltd's Pilbara rail network, The Australian Financial Review reports.
According to the newspaper, Fortescue is set to announce an upgrade to its estimated resources at its Solomon project, which will underscore the importance of train access when the miner returns to the Competition Tribunal this week.
Mon December 7th, 2009 | bevans | 203 reads |
ARTC have a new Chairman of the Board, Mr John Caldon
ARTC have a new Chairman of the Board, Mr John Caldon formerly Deputy CEO fo Macquarie Bank.
Mr John Caldon has been appointed the new chairman of the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), the wholly government-owned company that manages the nation's interstate rail network.
Fri November 27th, 2009 | CypherOz/bevans | | 254 reads |
UGL secures $108m in rail freight orders
Engineer UGL Ltd says it has secured $108 million in new supply and maintenance projects.
The new orders include the design and manufacture of 10 C44ACi locomotives, incorporating technology from GE Transportation, for Xstrata Coal, a 10-year maintenance program for the locomotives and a further 300 wagons.
Wed November 18th, 2009 | bevans | 287 reads |
Moore calls for greener tax system
IT HAS become a popular tradition in some of Australia's most plush corporate suites. As the end of the financial year approaches, the keys to luxury company cars are tossed around the office, and staff are urged to use the car for a trip to the bush or the beach.
The aim is to get the mileage up and take maximum advantage of the tax concessions on company vehicles. But the City of Sydney Council wants to reverse the tax bias in favour of public transport and cycling.
Tue November 3rd, 2009 | bevans | 2 comments | | 229 reads |
Rail journeys gather steam
Jump aboard a train and be part of one of the fastest-growing trends in travel, writes Jane E. Fraser.
Rail travel is on a determined upward curve thanks to new services, faster travel times, improved on-board comforts and environmental benefits.
In Europe in particular, trains are increasingly replacing flights as the preferred method of travel for both business and leisure travellers.
Thu October 29th, 2009 | bevans | | 337 reads |
Australian Transport & Energy To Build Moree-Toowoomba Rail
CANBERRA -(Dow Jones)- Privately-held Australian Transport & Energy Corridor Ltd. on Friday announced plans to build a new open access standard gauge railway linking Moree in northern New South Wales and Toowoomba in southern Queensland for about A$900 million.
Note: Announcing the commencement of the Border Railway, ATEC Chairman, Everald Compton, said that it will give Queensland its long overdue second interstate rail link as it will connect with an existing standard gauge railway from Moree to Parkes that links with tracks to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
Tue October 27th, 2009 | bevans | 2 comments | | 507 reads |
Planning crucial to avoid infrastructure bottlenecks
Having emerged from the global financial crisis largely unscathed, the Federal Government is being urged to tackle the critical issue of infrastructure spending in Australia.
The Business Council of Australia (BCA) says now is the time to confront the big infrastructure challenges to ease capacity bottlenecks with railways and ports.
Tue October 27th, 2009 | bevans | | 198 reads |
Concerns grow about state of rail system
Farmers in many parts of the country are gearing up for a good grain harvest.
But concerns are growing about the state of the rail system, that's supposed to get much of the grain from the farm to the port.
The Federal Opposition says it's inevitable there'll be delays this harvest, and it could put Australia's reputation as a reliable exporter at risk.
Sat October 17th, 2009 | bevans | 419 reads |
Tracks of their tears
BHP and Rio’s stranglehold on Pilbara rail is being tested, writes Leonie Wood. Klaus Clemens is a professional train buff. He might have started his career 30 years ago as an industrial chemist in the petro-chemical industry, but more recently Mr Clemens has taken to analysing train traffic for state rail authorities.
Mon October 12th, 2009 | bevans | 3 comments | | 341 reads |
Time to rethink infrastructure cash splash: Coonan
Opposition Finance spokeswoman Helen Coonan says yesterday's interest rate rise should prompt the Government to rethink spending on several major infrastructure projects.
The Reserve Bank's decision to lift interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.25 per cent has prompted accusations from the Opposition that the Government's stimulus spending is responsible for the rise.
The Opposition believes the rise is proof that the economy is recovering and that stimulus spending should be wound back.
Thu October 8th, 2009 | bevans | 7 comments | | 369 reads |
BHP's trains hearing goes off the rails
IT WAS, as one wag suggested, one of the odder moments in the Australian Competition Tribunal.
As redoubtable Queen's counsel Alan Archibald launched into BHP Billiton's arguments why Fortescue Metals should not be allowed to use BHP's railways in the Pilbara, a neatly dressed woman interrupted the Melbourne proceedings and asked to be heard.
Her problems stemmed, sadly, from an altogether different cause in a different jurisdiction but she insisted repeatedly that the leaden dispute between Fortescue, BHP, Rio Tinto and the National Competition Council was her case and that she wanted to examine all their documents.
Fri October 2nd, 2009 | bevans | 2 comments | 519 reads |
Asciano says 2010/11 outlook 'positive'
Ports and rail operator Asciano Group still expects this financial year will be tough but says it is well placed to grow earnings, especially in 2010/11.
"Looking forward to 2009/10, Asciano continues to take a prudent approach and plan for a continued difficult operating environment," Asciano chairman Tim Poole and managing director Mark Rowsthorn said in the group's 2009 annual report released on Monday.
Sun September 27th, 2009 | freightgate/Loco | 1 comment | 387 reads |
On your locobike!
Two mates have found a novel way to make the most out of old rusting railway lines.
A few years ago Julio Mottola and Michael Albert hatched a plan to create a unique bike that could be ridden on rusting tracks.
Fri August 28th, 2009 | bevans | 3 comments | | 868 reads |
Asciano suffers 64 per cent profit plunge
The rail and ports operator Asciano has seen its full-year profit slump by almost 64 per cent to $71.8 million.
Asciano's earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation for the year was $655.2 million, which is in line with the company's previous guidance.
Wed August 26th, 2009 | bevans | 335 reads |
Another trans-continental rail line under consideration
A $150 million feasibility study has begun into building a rail line from Queensland, through the Northern Territory to Western Australia.
Project Iron Boomerang has been under consideration for some years, and aims to move iron ore and coal by rail from Moranbah in Queensland to Port Hedland in the west.
Fri August 7th, 2009 | NIGELINOZ/bevans | 2 comments | | 586 reads |
ACCC urged to reject rail access agreement
The New South Wales Mineral Council is concerned a proposed rail access agreement for Hunter coal producers will reduce the efficiency of the entire coal transport system.
In April, the Australian Rail Track Corporation lodged an access undertaking for the Hunter Valley Coal Network with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Wed August 5th, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | 338 reads |
Technology can end rail crossing smashes: road expert
A road safety expert says new technology could eliminate rail crossing accidents but more political will is needed.
Professor Raphael Grzebieta is the chair in road safety at the University of New South Wales.
He says Intelligent Transport Systems are being developed overseas.
Tue August 4th, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | | 389 reads |
Infrastructure inspection 'could be key to more funds'
A cross-border report on transport issues will be handed to members of the Federal Parliamentary Standing Committee on Infrastructure later today.
Page MP Janelle Saffin says committee members will take aerial and on-site inspections of the Pacific Highway and Summerland Way before attending a meeting.
Tue August 4th, 2009 | bevans | 239 reads |
Cautious backing for Fast Train
The Federal M-P in the State's south-east says he is in favour of a very fast train for the region but understands why it did not make the Government's list for infrastructure projects.
Eden-Monaro's Mike Kelly was responding to calls for progress on the high-speed rail linking Sydney to Melbourne via Cooma and Bombala.
Tue August 4th, 2009 | bevans | 2 comments | | 301 reads |
Ghan's Top End journey marks 80 years
The Ghan has departed Adelaide on another journey to the Top End - this time celebrating its 80th anniversary.
Governor-General Quentin Bryce and other dignitaries attended a ceremony at the Keswick terminal this morning before passengers jumped on board.
South Australian Transport Minister Pat Conlon says it is a great day for South Australian rail.
Mon August 3rd, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | | 265 reads |
Pump up the volumes: why Asciano is looking good
Investors should keep their eyes peeled for substantial shareholder notices coming out of Asciano, if the recent trading patterns are any guide.
Since Friday, when the vast bulk of the new shares issued under this recent two-pronged recapitalisation became tradeable, enormous volumes have been pouring on to the market.
Almost 100 million yesterday, 140 million one day and 60 million on another.
Fri July 31st, 2009 | freightgate/bevans | | 209 reads |
National Rail Safety Week
Established in 2006, National Rail Safety Week (NRSW) is an Australasian Railway Association (ARA) initiative aimed at increasing community awareness about rail safety and improving behaviour at and around railways.
Fri July 24th, 2009 | crusty/bevans | 1 comment | | 262 reads |
ACT public transport future under scrutiny
The future of public transport in Canberra will be examined at a roundtable discussion next week.
ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope says it is time for a new five-year plan for sustainable transport.
Mr Stanhope says the aim will be to increase the proportion of commuters who travel by public transport..
"What we're doing is acknowledging that this is hard, this is tough, that the move that we've achieved in relation to public transport from 6.5 to 9 per cent over the last five years," he said.
Fri July 24th, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | | 243 reads |
Asciano closer to debt deal approval
Asciano shareholders are well on the way to backing the company's bid to raise $2 billion to pay off debt and position the business for the future.
Asciano completed a $2.35 billion rights issue and placement last month, but still required shareholder approval to use $1.55 billion of that amount. The $1.35b conditional placement had to go to the vote before it could get issued.
Wed July 22nd, 2009 | bevans | 217 reads |
UBS rejects Rowsthorn loan link
INVESTMENT bank UBS has rejected as "unequivocally incorrect" and "malicious" suggestions that its winning of the mandate to handle Asciano Group's $2.35 billion capital raising is linked to its deal to provide a loan to the debt-laden port operator's managing director, Mark Rowsthorn.
Wed July 15th, 2009 | crusty/bevans | 207 reads |
Asciano boss riles investors
ASCIANO boss Mark Rowsthorn and his banker, UBS, will dump up to $79.8 million of the company's stock on the sharemarket to help pay for his liability under the company's capital raising — a deal that could reap the managing director a $6.65 million windfall.
Mr Rowsthorn committed to buying $151 million of shares under the capital raising, but will have to sell the vast majority of his existing 76 million shares in Asciano to pay for it.
Tue July 14th, 2009 | bevans | | 196 reads |
GrainCorp rejects illegal shortcut claims
GrainCorp has defended allegations its truck drivers are taking illegal shortcuts through the New South Wales central west to get their loads to Port Kembla.
New South Wales Greens' MP Lee Rhiannon says she has received information B-doubles contracted to the grain company have been using routes through the Weddin and Young shires that are unsuitable for trucks.
Mon July 6th, 2009 | bevans | | 253 reads |
Inland rail corridor routes still being considered
The federal MP for Parkes, Mark Coulton, says talks with the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) have revealed a number of routes are still being considered for an inland rail corridor.
He chaired an information session yesterday in Narrabri, in north-west New South Wales, between rail executives and nine shire councils.
Fri July 3rd, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | | 356 reads |
Govt urged to sell Gladstone Port
The proponent of an inland railway from Melbourne to Darwin via Queensland's mining regions is calling on the State Government to include Gladstone Port in the massive infrastructure sell-off.
Inland Railway Project chairman Everald Compton says his group will bid for Townsville's Abbot Point Coal Terminal when it is put on the market - as well as Queensland Railway coal freight assets.
Wed July 1st, 2009 | bevans | 208 reads |
Inland rail route 'still an option'
Campaigners for an inland Melbourne-to-Brisbane rail line are warning the Newell Highway must be upgraded if the proposed route does not pass through three central west New South Wales towns.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) has met the Parkes Shire Council in Canberra to discuss progress with the project's financial costing.
The ARTC has assured delegates an inland line going via Parkes, Gilgandra and Coonamble is still an option, despite claims the coastal route is the preferred corridor.
Thu June 25th, 2009 | bevans | 281 reads |
Share price hike saves day for Asciano
The chief executive of Australia's biggest operator of ports and rail, Mark Rowsthorn, is a relieved man.
For the last year Mr Rowsthorn had been looking to sell off some of Asciano's prized assets to unshackle the company from its debt.
Several offers had been put forward, but thanks to ripe market conditions, he did not have to accept any.
Instead, he launched a share issue, which started at $2 billion but rose to $2.35 billion because of demand from major investors.
Sun June 21st, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | 262 reads |
Infrastructure spending unlikely to steer us out of doldrums
The capacity of the Rudd infrastructure stimulus to create tens of thousands of new, permanent jobs for those living in Australia is nothing short of fanciful, writes Julie Novak from the IPA.
Over the past few weeks, federal government ministers have congregated in front of a selection of 35,000 construction sites around the country. Looking out of place with suits and ill-fitting hard hats, they extolled to anyone who cared to listen the virtues of infrastructure pump priming for growth and jobs.
Sun June 21st, 2009 | bevans | 234 reads |
Kaplan-Asciano offer harks back to Patrick
FORMER Patrick Corp chief Chris Corrigan and some of his team will be back with their old port and rail business if Kaplan Funds Management takes some form of stake in debt-ridden Asciano.
Kaplan and its consortium partner, US private equity group Carlyle, is one of four parties believed to have made offers to Asciano, which has been taking expressions of interest in buying all or part of it, or helping it recapitalise. The other bidders are believed to be Global Infrastructure Partners, TPG and Warburg Pincus.
Fri June 12th, 2009 | bevans | | 396 reads |
Don't go down sales track, analysts advise Asciano
ANALYSTS have urged Asciano to consider a capital raising to help pay off debt just as expressions of interest to buy all or part of the ports and rail group are due to be lodged today.
JPMorgan analyst Matt Crowe told BusinessDay there had been a lot of successful capital raisings in the market recently.
"Up until now, Asciano has focused more on asset sales. The case for an equity raising, instead of an asset sale or part of a restructuring program, must be getting pretty compelling. There has been a great appetite for them," he said.
Fri June 5th, 2009 | bevans | 238 reads |
Infrastructure under threat, warns govt
The Rudd government has warned there will be "severe consequences" for billions of dollars of major road and rail upgrades if the coalition insists on changes to Labor's nation-building legislation.
Parliament resumes earlier than usual on Monday to debate bills underpinning agreements the commonwealth had made with the states and territories.
Upgrades to Sydney's M1 motorway and the Pacific, Bruce and Hume highways are under threat if the coalition attempts to change or block legislation, Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said.
Mon June 1st, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | 278 reads |
New infrastructure also key to future
Short-term stimulus is crucial, but so is long-term growth, writes Wayne Kayler-Thomson.
THIS month's federal and state budgets have brought the short-term stimulus effect of infrastructure spending into focus.
The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry supports these measures but believes it is essential for government to maintain perspective in its rush to inject economic stimulus via the infrastructure syringe.
Fri May 22nd, 2009 | bevans | 4 comments | | 300 reads |
Public transport investment a winner
Australia's multitude of urban commuters should count themselves as winners in this year's federal Budget, writes Greg Harvey, national secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.
This Federal Government has become the first in Australia's history to commit significant funding to urban rail passenger transport.
Thu May 21st, 2009 | bevans | 3 comments | | 276 reads |
More trespassers hit by trains: report
A new report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau shows there was an increase in the number of trespassers hit by trains in New South Wales last year.
In the eight years from 2001, the state's railway system accounted for a third of the nation's train travel, but recorded half the national number of people hit by a train.
Mon May 18th, 2009 | bevans | | 247 reads |
Asciano in sell-off talks
PORTS and rail freight operator Asciano Group is closer to reaching a deal to sell all or part of its businesses to lighten its crippling debt.
It is continuing discussions with four potential bidders, who are in the second stage of due diligence, Melbourne-based Asciano said in a statement.
The statement was in response to a stock exchange query about a 27 per cent jump to a six-month high of $1.81 of its stapled securities last Friday on big trading volumes.
Tue May 12th, 2009 | grace/bevans | | 196 reads |
Asciano sinks after sale warning
Debt-laden Australian ports operator Asciano Group said four parties were in talks to bid for the whole group, but warned that any offer might not be pitched above its share price.
"It should not be assumed that any of these discussions will result in a transaction or that if a change of control and/or recapitalisation transaction were to occur that it would be priced at a premium to recently traded prices in Asciano's securities," it said in response to a stock exchange query, after its shares jumped 27% last Friday.
Mon May 11th, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | 266 reads |
$25 Billon to be spent on Road and Rail Infrastructure
More than $25 billion will be invested in key rail, road and port projects as part of next week's federal budget.
The spending will include a major heavy rail freight corridor linking Melbourne and Brisbane, The Australian newspaper reports
Note: The federal government plans to empty the Build Australia fund by investing in the largest overhaul of infrastructure since WW11, including $7.2 Billion on the inland Melbourne to Brisbane Rail Line.
Mon May 11th, 2009 | seb2351/bevans | 1 comment | 287 reads |
Asciano soars on takeover speculation
Securities in ports an rail operator Asciano rose by around 18% following a media report that a takeover bid could be in the wings.
Asciano securities jumped 38 cents, or 27%, to close at $1.81.
GIP was part of a consortium last year that made an offer for Asciano but may now be going alone with a bid.
TPG Capital and GIP approached Asciano last August with an indicative, non-binding takeover offer of $4.40 per security, valuing the target at $3.07 billion.
Fri May 8th, 2009 | bevans | | 252 reads |
North-west NSW features in $3b rail corridor plan
New England's north-west features strongly in the preferred route for Australia's inland rail corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane.
The first stage of the study has been completed and is recommending the $3 billion route follow existing rail lines north to Werris Creek, Narrabri and Moree.
Fri May 8th, 2009 | grace/bevans | | 326 reads |
Toll acquires rest of ST-Anda Logistics
Logistics services group Toll Holdings Ltd has made its second acquisition in Asia within a week, buying the remaining 49 per cent of Shenzhen-based ST-Anda Logistics it does not already own.
Toll is acquiring the stake from China Merchants Group for an undisclosed sum to expand its Chinese logistics operation.
Thu May 7th, 2009 | bevans | 2 comments | | 308 reads |
Rail sums do not add up, says study
A LONG-mooted 1900-kilometre inland railway connecting Brisbane and Melbourne and running though western NSW would not be financially viable, according to an analysis prepared for the Federal Government.
Preliminary findings from the analysis by the Australian Rail Track Corporation shows that the cheapest version of the inland railway, which would run through such towns as Parkes, Dubbo and Moree, would cost $2.8 billion to build.
Thu May 7th, 2009 | bevans | 2 comments | | 302 reads |
Toll takes stake in BIC Logistics
Transport and logistics company Toll Holdings has signed a deal to take a 40 per cent stake in India's BIC Logistics.
A statement from Toll Holdings on Friday said the company had acquired the stake, with an option to become majority owner within two years.
Fri May 1st, 2009 | bevans | 211 reads |
Mixed reaction to $32bn road and rail plan
THE $32 billion investment in road and rail the Rudd Government announced on Sunday is mostly existing funding dressed up as new spending and will not solve key infrastructure bottlenecks, say the Opposition and industry.
Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese defended the announcement yesterday, saying the Government had reached a critical milestone, with the states agreeing to deliver the largest federal roads and rail investment in the nation's history.
Tue April 28th, 2009 | bevans | 255 reads |
Kevin Rudd spreads $800m in Community Infrastructure Program
A TOURIST trail in bushfire zones, a giant Meals on Wheels kitchen and a Ballarat democracy centre will get a slice of Rudd's latest cash splash.
Millions have been thrown at community projects across the country as part of the Rudd Government’s response to the global downturn.
Funding for the projects comes from the Government’s $800 million Community Infrastructure Program, touted as “the largest one-off investment in Australia's history”.
Tue April 28th, 2009 | bevans | 232 reads |
States, territories agree to $26b infrastructure funding plans
The Federal Government says it is making significant progress on major infrastructure projects that will stimulate economic activity.
Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese says the states and territories have agreed to funding plans for 120 road projects and 26 rail projects.
Mon April 27th, 2009 | bevans | | 310 reads |
Takeover rumours drive Asciano
ASCIANO Group securities surged 33 per cent yesterday on speculation that the board of the debt-stricken transport infrastructure company will today consider takeover proposals and bids for its ports and rail assets.
More than eight months after Asciano rejected a non-binding $4.40 takeover proposal from Texas Pacific Group and Global Infrastructure Partners, the company's advisers, RBS and Carnegie Wylie, are expected to hand over a list of bids today.
Tue April 21st, 2009 | bevans | | 293 reads |
States attacked over public transport 'secrecy'
TRAIN, tram and bus fares in Melbourne have escalated far more rapidly in the past two decades than the cost of driving, public transport advocates will today tell a Senate inquiry into federal funding of urban public transport.
Australia is one of the few countries where the federal government does not fund urban public transport but pours billions of dollars into road funding. Most submissions to the Senate inquiry, which is staging its only meeting in Melbourne today, point this out.
Mon March 30th, 2009 | bevans | 252 reads |
Asciano asset sales could pose foreign ownership challenge
ASCIANO is the classic global crisis squeeze play. It owns assets that cannot be replaced in this country but is supporting them with a debt load that was uncomfortably large before the crisis took hold, and are a potential company-killer today.
It has to sell assets, but there are also plenty of potential buyers: Asciano confirmed that much and sparked a rally in its shares yesterday by saying it had received multiple expressions of interest — about its key assets and about the company as a whole — and had appointed ABN Amro and Lazard Carnegie Wylie to help sift through the options.
Tue March 17th, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | 359 reads |
Asciano mulls over asset sale proposals
Debt-laden transport infrastructure firm Asciano Group says it is considering the sale of up to 100 per cent of either its coal or container ports businesses.
The company also said that it had received proposals in respect to the group's other assets and businesses.
There were also proposals that would result in a change of control, and/or a recapitalisation of the group, it said in a statement on Monday.
Mon March 16th, 2009 | bevans | | 279 reads |
National road chaos looms
AUSTRALIA is facing a looming transport crisis with highways and arterial roads set to be choked with thousands of extra cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles.
In an alarming scenario after decades of under-investment, government research given to The Sunday Age suggests Australia's addiction to cars and trucks will soar in the absence of massive new investment to modernise transport networks.
Sun March 8th, 2009 | bevans | 1 comment | 346 reads |
Tunnel shows rail bypass on track
THE reflection is hard to miss for those travelling the Lincoln Causeway.
The silver cylinder arch, that will form a 36m underpass on the Wodonga rail bypass, is in stark contrast to the mountain of earthworks rising along the route.
The tunnel has recently been constructed over the existing stock route road which runs parallel to the Lincoln Causeway.
Sat March 7th, 2009 | peterg/bevans | 1 comment | 526 reads |
China's Sinosteel ups stake in Murchison Metals
SHARES of iron ore minnow Murchison Metals soared 15 per cent yesterday after China's Sinosteel lifted its holding above 5 per cent to become the third-biggest shareholder.
State-owned Sinosteel does not have approval to boost its stake in Murchison beyond 49 per cent, but believe it will play a growing role in Western Australia's burgeoning mid-west iron ore sector.
Sinosteel revealed late on Tuesday that it had built a 5.85 per cent stake in the company through a series of on-market purchases since the start of last year.
Fri March 6th, 2009 | freightgate/bevans | 2 comments | 426 reads |
No info to explain share price: Asciano
Ports and rail operator Asciano Group said on Wednesday that it had no new information that could explain a sharp rise in the company's share price on Tuesday, March 3.
Asciano was responding to a query from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on why the company's share price had risen from 44.5 cents at the close of trading on Monday, March 2 to 63 cents on March 3.
Thu March 5th, 2009 | bevans | 2 comments | 253 reads |
Federal public transport inquiry kicks off
A Senate inquiry began today as the Federal Government considers its first venture into public transport.
The inquiry began in Brisbane and will hear from transport groups from around the nation.
Tue March 3rd, 2009 | bevans | 2 comments | 366 reads |
Unions vow to block Pacific Brands transporting machinery
UNIONS have jointly vowed to block any attempts by clothing firm Pacific Brands to ship production equipment offshore.
Waterside workers will join truck drivers and rail workers in stopping the company from shipping out millions of dollars in government subsidised machinery to China.
The Herald Sun revealed this morning the total remuneration for Pacific Brands' 13 directors more than doubled last year as the company planned to sack more than 1850 workers.
Fri February 27th, 2009 | bevans | 3 comments | | 405 reads |
Asciano may sell Patrick
THE stricken ports and rail operator Asciano Group has provided its strongest indication yet it could be forced to sell its prized Patrick stevedoring business to cut its $4.6 billion of debt.
The group's shares tumbled to a new low of 45.5 cents yesterday after the company reported a first half loss of $93.4 million, which was largely a result of write-downs in goodwill.
Thu February 26th, 2009 | freightgate/trainfreak | 2 comments | 336 reads |
More money for national building
The government is raising another $2.2 billion, mainly to pay for parts of its controversial national building and jobs plan.
Assistant Treasurer Chris Bowen introduced two appropriation bills on Thursday to raise the money.
The biggest item is nearly $1.2 billion for rail projects, including expanding the lines between the Hunter Valley coal mines and the Port of Newcastle.
Thu February 26th, 2009 | freightgate/trainfreak | 2 comments | 261 reads |
Sydney to Canberra in 50 minutes: fast tracking second airport
A high speed train link that shuttles passengers between Sydney and Canberra in as little as 50 minutes could turn the national capital's airport into a viable second airport option for Sydney.
Canberra Airport today released its 2009 preliminary draft master plan, which outlines its plans over the next 20 years.
Wed February 11th, 2009 | bevans | 4 comments | | 618 reads |
Economic stimulus package
More than $40 billion will be pumped into education and community infrastructure, public housing, business tax breaks and one-off cash payments in an economic stimulus plan to offset the effects of the global financial crisis.
Tue February 3rd, 2009 | bevans | | 404 reads |
Investment to dive as projects shelved
BUSINESS investment is set to fall sharply with $37 billion worth of projects shelved and more due to be put on hold.
The Access Economics Investment Monitor, released today, records a notable decline in the value of infrastructure projects and warns the proposed big capital works spending by federal and state governments may not fill the gap.
Tue February 3rd, 2009 | vanessa/bevans | 204 reads |
Fare go discount for grey nomads (the Age)
As an initiative to stimulate domestic tourism, the Federal government is encouragin states to extend seniors' discounts to interstate seniors' concession-card holders.
Note: http://www.theage.com.au/national/fare-go-discount-for-grey-nomads-20090104-79v2.html
Mon January 5th, 2009 | Speed/bevans | | 327 reads |
[SMH] Asciano picks potential partners to help cut $4.65bn liability
BESIEGED Asciano has chosen a small group of companies that will potentially buy into the business to help the port and rail group pay off its big debt.
Chief executive and managing director Mark Rowsthorn said the company had received several bids to buy into the Pacific National coal division, as well as approaches relating to other business units.
"Asciano has selected a small group of parties to take through to the final stage of the monetisation process," he said in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange.
Since rejecting a $2.9 billion takeover offer from a US consortium in August, Asciano has undertaken a "monetisation process" to seek an investment partner.
Tue December 23rd, 2008 | grace/bevans | 1 comment | 392 reads |
Priority projects are worth $190 billion
The federal government is yet to determine how it will fund more than $190 billion worth of infrastructure projects recommended as top priorities for Australia.
The 94 projects have been selected from a list of 1,000 submitted to the government advisory group Infrastructure Australia (IA) by state, federal and private entities.
The preliminary report, released by IA on Friday, highlights projects in every state, including rural and urban rail and roads, ports, energy, water, communications and indigenous affairs.
Fri December 19th, 2008 | bevans | 1 comment | | 440 reads |
Wodonga Rail Bypass to be duplicated.
WODONGA Mayor Cr Mark Byatt says yesterday’s announcement of federal money for the city’s rail bypass was “fantastic”.
“Duplication is the icing on the cake,” Cr Byatt said.
Note: By DI THOMAS Border Mail Albury Wodonga
13/12/2008
Mon December 15th, 2008 | peterg/bevans | | 464 reads |
PM Kevin Rudd announces a $4.7 billion infrastructure plan
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd is currently announcing a $4.7 billion injection of funds into road, rail and education infrastructure.
The plan is designed to insulate Australia from the global financial crisis, Mr Rudd said. It includes $440 million in tax relief for small business, revealed by The Advertiser this morning. The latest injection of funds comes on top of the Government's $10.4 billion economic stimulus package.
Note: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24789595-5006301,00.html
Fri December 12th, 2008 | 409/trainfreak | 4 comments | | 747 reads |
GSR Withdraws Services
In a move thought to be due to the slowing economy, Great Southern Railway has suspended services.
Wed December 3rd, 2008 | markcurtis/bevans | 2 comments | | 916 reads |
Work commences on the Wodonga Rail Bypass
BULLDOZERS are carving out a new railway route across the Wodonga flats, just as Irish navvies with picks and shovels built the original inter-colonial railway link 125 years ago.
The 5.7km bypass will cost $130 million and is part of the $501 million upgrade and gauge conversion of the line between Albury and Seymour.
Sun November 30th, 2008 | peterg/bevans | 3 comments | 669 reads |
The road to a low pollution future: rail
As Australia edges closer toward the introduction of an emissions trading scheme, it is high time for a serious discussion about the climate debate's poor third cousin: transport.
The transport industry is the third largest emitter of carbon in Australia, behind manufacturing and agriculture.
While all the talk has been about manufacturing and clean coal technology and how the government will offset the costs to business, there has been little serious talk of the need to address our increasing reliance on road transport.
Thu November 13th, 2008 | bevans | 2 comments | | 392 reads |
Ports giant Asciano on the skids
PRESSURE is building on Asciano to deal with rejected US takeover predators after the port and rail group's shares went into free fall and were placed in a trading halt.
Asciano's shares plunged by $1.03, or 59.9%, to 69¢ before the trading halt was called, and the Australian Securities Exchange queried Asciano about the share fall. The company's stapled securities reached a high of $11.43 shortly after listing in June last year.
Wed November 12th, 2008 | luznug/trainfreak | 2 comments | | 592 reads |
$55m executive payout takes its Toll
IT'S not going to be a season to be merry for corporate fat cats.
Toll Holdings boss Paul Little is well and truly in the firing line, along with chairman Ray Horsburgh and the company's non-executive directors.
Corporate governance adviser RiskMetrics has run the numbers and found that, of $80 million in costs incurred by Toll in its demerger with Asciano, $55 million was used to buy out options from Toll executives.
In other words, $55 million in cash has been paid to 390 Toll executives for their now worthless options.
The board's decision was based on KPMG's assumptions that the shares would be worth between $30 and $40, and the company would enjoy earnings-per-share growth of 24% a year for the next three years. Both numbers are fantasies, so little wonder the annual meeting became a heated affair, with shareholder activist Stephen Mayne leading the charge.
Thu November 6th, 2008 | bevans | 1 comment | 347 reads |
Asciano finds silver lining in economic clouds
Rail and ports operator Asciano said the current economic meltdown could be a boon for its freight rail business.
Speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce in Australia event in Sydney, Asciano chief financial officer Peter McGregor said rail’s affordability would increasingly appeal to freighters amid the financial downturn.
“When the economy slows, cost becomes really important,” he told delegates.
Mon October 27th, 2008 | bevans | 1 comment | 291 reads |
Concrete basis for rail's faster times
The millionth concrete rail sleeper between Sydney and Melbourne was laid at Gunning yesterday, part of a $2.4 billion project to lay new sleepers right along the main line linking Melbourne to Brisbane.
The project, scheduled to be completed early next year, will allow travel between Melbourne and Brisbane in 27 hours, 10 hours less than now possible and quicker than road.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation's chief executive, David Marchant, said rail would be able to offer freight industry transit times as low as 10 hours 40 min utes between Sydney and Melbourne, and 15 hours 35 minutes between Sydney and Brisbane.
''For ARTC, it marks rail's resurgence as a realistic freight option,'' he said. ''Consistency in rail sleepers may not sound significant, but it will mean a more reliable track and reduced transit times between the main eastern state demand centres.'' Mr Marchant said the concrete sleepers increased the strength of the railway line, allowing heavier loads to be carried at faster speeds. They also meant few restrictions on speed during summer because, unlike wooden sleepers, concrete ones do not expand in high temperatures that cause tracks to buckle. As well as replacing wooden sleepers, the corporation is introducing new passing loops and upgrading signals and bridges.
Fri October 24th, 2008 | bevans | | 364 reads |
Transport unions to form new body
Australia's major transport unions are joining forces to present a united front over industrial issues relating to the nation's biggest infrastructure projects.
Meeting in Brisbane Wednesday, representatives of the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA), Transport Workers' Union of Australia (TWU) and the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) said they would form the Transport Unions' Federation (TUF) early next year.
Fri October 17th, 2008 | bevans | 362 reads |
Asciano not hit by financial crisis yet
Ports and rail operator Asciano Group says it is yet to be affected by the global financial crisis but an economic slowdown could benefit its rail business.
Asciano chief financial officer Peter McGregor said that coal haulage during the September quarter continued to experience "double-digit growth" and volumes at container ports remained strong.
Fri October 17th, 2008 | bevans | 340 reads |
Newcastle Rail Line
A $650 million plan to redevelop Newcastle's central business district could be in jeopardy unless the State Government commits within the next five months to cutting the inner-city rail line at Wickham.
Fri October 17th, 2008 | LesS/bevans | 2 comments | | 744 reads |
Iemma Government's CountryLink fleet investment on track
27th August 2008
NSW residents and interstate tourists are reaping the benefits from the Iemma Government’s $42 million upgrade of the iconic CountryLink XPT fleet with works on all passenger carriages now complete, Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport John Watkins announced today.
Wed August 27th, 2008 | HughBear/michaelgreenhill | 5 comments | | 1113 reads |
Rail and ports giant Asciano Group rejects $2.89 billion takeover bid
RAIL and ports giant Asciano Group has knocked back an unsolicited $2.89 billion takeover offer from two aggressive foreign predators.
Asciano's rejection came after the close of the market, which saw its share price swell 16.4 per cent, or 68c, to $4.83.
Tue August 5th, 2008 | bevans | 1 comment | | 531 reads |
Road wins but rail left out in latest ATC meeting
The rail industry has missed out in the latest Australian Transport Council (ATC) meeting, after the announcement work will not begin on a single rail safety regulator and investigator until next year.
Despite Australia’s transport ministers agreeing to send a number of road transport reforms to the Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) for support, the ATC merely agreed to "progress work" on the rail issue.
Fri July 25th, 2008 | bevans | 2 comments | | 448 reads |
Public transport needs urgent attention
Australian urban railways are running at capacity and the federal government needs to pour at least $10 billion into meeting public transport demand, an expert panel warns.
Wed July 9th, 2008 | markcurtis/Loco | 1 comment | | 476 reads |
Rudd may overhaul public transport
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has hinted at a new frontier for tackling climate change: a national overhaul of public transport.
The introduction of emissions trading is dominating the climate change debate, with a major report to be handed down by government adviser Ross Garnaut on Friday.
Tue July 1st, 2008 | bevans | 1 comment | | 618 reads |
Rail freight doubles, on track for further growth
THE volume of freight moving east-west by rail has doubled in the past decade and transit times are faster, figures show.
Rail has also become generally cheaper than road, but there are still problems with punctuality and north-south rail freight is still struggling.
Note: The Tide is indeed turning and unlikely to turn back to road for some time. To discuss click here
Mon June 16th, 2008 | bevans | | 664 reads |
Opposition worried about inland rail link delay
The Federal Opposition says there is widespread concern and anguish over the Government's decision to put on permanent hold funding for a planned inland rail link in eastern Australia.
The proposed link would be built through Narrabri and Moree shires in north-west New South Wales.
Nationals' leader and Opposition transport spokesman, Warren Truss, says hidden down the Finance Minister's list of spending cuts was the loss of $65 million for the northern inland rail project.
Fri February 8th, 2008 | bevans | | 700 reads |
MURPHY'S LORE: The road/rail charges sham
AUSTRALIA'S road and rail network user charges are a disgrace.
Neither road nor rail pays its way on the networks they use. That's a recent development for road transport but a traditional state of affairs for rail.
Road transport was, overall, paying its way under a simple, practical, though imperfect system until recently.
Then two events queered it.
One was the insistence by state and federal transport ministers at the Australian Transport Council that each class of truck pay its own way, rather than trucks overall paying their way.
Fri February 1st, 2008 | luznug/bevans | 3 comments | | 803 reads |
BHP Pilbara Rail Access Appeal Dismissed
From AAP.
"The miner had appealed a Federal Court of Australia ruling made in December that declared the company's railway lines in the Pilbara were not part of the production process. This decision paves the way for the rail lines potentially to be declared open to third-party access under the Trade Practices Act."
Fri October 5th, 2007 | GrahamH/michaelgreenhill | 1 comment | | 694 reads |
Rio Tinto trials automated train driving
"Rio Tinto Ltd is trialling automated train driving technology at its Pilbara iron ore mining operations in Western Australia.
Pilbara Iron acting general manager railways Sid Hay said the Automated Train Operation (ATO) technology could help the company reach its annual export target for iron ore."
http://au.news.yahoo.com/070924/2/14i6b.html
Tue September 25th, 2007 | GrahamH/dthead | 2 comments | | 926 reads |
Govt says inland rail line not a priority
An inland rail line between Melbourne and Brisbane is not high on the Federal Government's agenda, despite strong support in western NSW for the project.
Wed September 27th, 2006 | Loco | 3 comments | | 768 reads |
Delegates push for earlier inland rail completion
Delegates at yesterday's rail conference in Parkes have voted to push the Federal Government for a 2014 completion date of the inland rail corridor between Melbourne and Brisbane.
Tue September 26th, 2006 | bevans | | 509 reads |
Deputy PM attends rail corridor meeting
Politicians and council delegates from across the New England north-west are today attending a forum to campaign for a proposed rail network from Melbourne to Brisbane to be built west of the divide.
Tue September 26th, 2006 | bevans | 3 comments | | 535 reads |
Oakeshott pushes for rail link to be coastal
A NSW north coast politician is calling for the coastal option for a north-south interstate rail link to be put back on the table for debate.
Wed September 13th, 2006 | Loco | 3 comments | 486 reads |
Stoner backs inland rail plans
Oxley MP and NSW Nationals leader Andrew Stoner is throwing his support behind plans for a new inland rail route.
Mon September 11th, 2006 | Loco | 6 comments | | 606 reads |
Inland rail options released
CONSTRUCTION of an inland railway from Brisbane to Melbourne is starting to firm as a reality with an operation date of 2019 proposed so it can meet the nation's forecast transport needs.
Fri September 8th, 2006 | Loco | 2 comments | | 1383 reads |
Albury rail link ‘ideal’
IT would cost $500 million less and cut travelling time by about three-quarters of an hour to link any of four proposed railway sub-corridors between Melbourne and Brisbane via Albury rather than Shepparton.
Fri September 8th, 2006 | Loco | 1 comment | | 678 reads |
ARTC announces resleepering of NSW Western Main Line
Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC) will install 61,732 timber sleepers this financial year on its Western rail corridor between Kinalung and Broken Hill in a project valued at $8.27 million, David Marchant CEO of ARTC announced today
“ARTC will begin negotiations immediately for the supply of the timber sleepers now that the project has received Board approval.” David Marchant said.
Fri September 1st, 2006 | SEMartin/bevans | | 774 reads |
GMR Little Nymboida Bridge fire set back for Lowanna operations
The Glenreagh Mountain Railway and the community of Lowanna and Ulong are in shock by unexplainable fire on the main rail bridge over the Little Nymboida River.
After 8 years of hard work by the community and members of Glenreagh Mountain Railway, public trike operations were planned to commence in October between Lowanna and Ulong.
Tue August 29th, 2006 | fred59/bevans | | 513 reads |
DORC isn't cool: rail group
THE rail arm of Engineers Australia has questioned the merit of the mechanism currently used to obtain investment in Australia's rail infrastructure.
In a submission to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into road and rail infrastructure pricing last week, the Rail Technical Society of Australasia questioned whether the Depreciated Optimised Replacement Cost (DORC) system complied with economic efficiency principles.
Note: Wednesday, 23 August 2006
James Bowen
Mon August 28th, 2006 | luznug/bevans | | 501 reads |
Linfox reacts
ENDING months of silence, Australia's second largest road
transport company, Linfox, has made its first move to counter Toll
Holdings' tightened grip on the Australian freight industry.
Fri August 18th, 2006 | bevans | 4 comments | | 1007 reads |
Rail riding the ticket for United Group
SHARES in United Group, an engineering and property services
company, surged after demand for rail wagons to move coal and iron
ore boosted second-half profit.
Tue August 15th, 2006 | bevans | | 533 reads |
Suitors scramble for Toll's rail stake
TRANSPORT behemoth Toll Holdings has fielded more than 40 expressions of interest from potential buyers of a 50 per cent stake in Pacific National, the rail business it won full control of after buying joint venture partner Patrick Corp earlier this year.
Sat August 5th, 2006 | Loco | 332 reads |
Building workers support WA colleagues
The construction union in New South Wales has launched an appeal to help 107 workers from Perth who are facing fines of up to $28,000 for breaching new workplace laws.
Mon July 24th, 2006 | Loco | 341 reads |
Why QR needs FCL: analyst
QR needs to expand nationally to both protect existing customers and grow a balanced portfolio of transport businesses, QR National Manager Commercial Development, Darrin Rawson-Harris told the AusIntermodal conference in Melbourne yesterday.
Tue July 18th, 2006 | DavidB | | 653 reads |
QR bids for FCL
QUEENSLAND Rail has lodged a formal bid to buy freight forwarding company FCL Interstate Transport Services in a deal likely to be worth about $140 million.
Wed July 12th, 2006 | rhino/DavidB | 3 comments | | 788 reads |
Cross-country rail link moves step closer
AN AMBITIOUS project to link Queensland with WA via a 3000km railway is a step closer after a favourable reception from major steel producers.
Tue July 11th, 2006 | Loco | 4 comments | | 656 reads |
Toll takeover may reap more cost savings
Transport conglomerate Toll Holdings Ltd says it may reach
higher than expected cost savings from its $6 billion-plus takeover
of Patrick Corp Ltd - and ahead of schedule.
Mon July 10th, 2006 | DavidB | | 452 reads |
Coles Myer backs new freight rail link
One of Australia's biggest retailers has thrown its weight
behind a plan to build an inland rail link focused on getting
freight into eastern seaboard cities faster.
Wed July 5th, 2006 | DavidB | | 708 reads |
Toll sell-off to raise $1.5bn
Toll Holdings, the transport and logistics conglomerate, expects to raise more than $1.5billion from a string of asset sales, including divestment of a half-share in rail freighter Pacific National before year's end.
Wed July 5th, 2006 | DavidB | | 428 reads |
BHP predicts tough year for iron ore
BHP Billiton is forecasting a tough year for iron ore production because of continuing infrastructure problems and labour shortages.
Thu June 29th, 2006 | bevans | 2 comments | 451 reads |
Fight to save history
COLLIE resident Henny Earnshaw is fighting the government to protect a part of South West history.
Ms Earnshaw said she was disturbed by Planning and Infrastructure Minister Allanah MacTiernan's plans to faze out part of the Australind train service.
Thu June 29th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 581 reads |
United in $163m US purchase
TRAIN maker, engineering and property management company United
Group has made its third acquisition in 14 months, with the $163
million purchase of US property management business Equis
Corporation.
Tue June 27th, 2006 | DavidB | 373 reads |
Under the Southern Cross, the fumes must move
The new Spencer Street Station redevelopment has an
innovative roof designed to naturally extract internal air and
fumes out of the station, without the use of electric fans.
From the Southern Cross Station website
IT WOULD appear
more work needs to be done on the preceding claim.
Thu June 22nd, 2006 | DavidB | | 555 reads |
Toll looks for Patrick buyers
Toll Holdings is looking for interested parties to buy parts of Patrick Corporation, which it acquired last month.
Thu June 22nd, 2006 | DavidB | | 518 reads |
Rail report highlights staff issues
A report into the rail industry has found a shortage of staff will occur in the next five to ten years if no action is taken to address human resources.
Mon June 19th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 488 reads |
United Group targets overseas markets
Train maker and engineering services provider United Group Ltd expects overseas markets to provide the fastest part of its growth as the company's market position in Australia becomes more significant.
Tue June 6th, 2006 | DavidB | 416 reads |
State promise for new cop shop, rail link
PREMIER Morris Iemma yesterday promised Hawkesbury Police new premises by June 2010 and to buy the corridor for the Epping-Rouse Hill stretch of the North West Rail Link by June 2007.
Mon June 5th, 2006 | bevans | 500 reads |
QR trains derail
Two Queensland Rail trains have derailed in separate incidents today.
Fri June 2nd, 2006 | DavidB | 749 reads |
Goods train smashes into building
A goods trains carrying steel and plastic has derailed about 180
kilometres north-east of Melbourne, destroying part of a building
and disrupting interstate rail services.
Fri June 2nd, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 922 reads |
Rail sale starts end for Patrick
TRANSPORT giant Toll Holdings has begun selling the assets it
promised to divest to secure regulatory approval for its $6
billion-plus takeover of stevedore Patrick Corporation.
Thu June 1st, 2006 | DavidB | | 514 reads |
ARA calls for 'truck subsidies' to end
Bryan Nye from the Australian Railways Association (ARA) says the Productivity Commission review into land transport pricing is bigger than pricing — but he still thinks heavy trucks should pay more.
Wed May 31st, 2006 | DavidB | | 444 reads |
Roads must pay way: rail lobby
GOVERNMENT policy that favours trucks over trains must be changed if rail is to carry a bigger share of freight in the future, says Australia's rail industry.
Mon May 29th, 2006 | bevans | 1 comment | | 444 reads |
Toll's wild ride
Chris Corrigan yesterday flew out of Sydney for Italy, where he will spend the next few weeks cycling with a group of friends around the hills of Tuscany, considering a future with $162 million in the bank and no job.
Sat May 13th, 2006 | DavidB | | 442 reads |
Disinterest in PN rail assets could spell a regulatory nightmare for ACCC
ON June 30, Paul Little will surrender the spaghetti junction of railways controlled by his currently wholly owned rail business, Pacific National.
Corporate regulator Graeme Samuel may be hoping that the track handover will be a signal moment in the new era of competition he imagined would emerge from the block-busting undertakings Toll Holdings made on the Ides of March.
But the portents are not good for Samuel. At the moment the handover of control will be pure regulatory theatre. The rail paths, delivered to the track regulator for auction, look likely to be handed straight back to PN because no one else wants them. Or at least, no one else is in a position yet to use them.
Sat May 13th, 2006 | bevans | 2 comments | 541 reads |
Warning on Toll 'gouging'
Outgoing Patrick boss Chris Corrigan has warned that Toll would be able to gouge billions of dollars out of its customers now it had won control of his company, leaving it without competitors in the Australian freight sector.
Fri May 12th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | 322 reads |
Corrigan unable to resist a final barb
PATRICK Corp managing director Chris Corrigan took parting shots
at Toll Holdings and the competition regulator after the stevedore
succumbed to a vicious nine-month takeover battle yesterday.
Fri May 12th, 2006 | DavidB | | 340 reads |
Toll bid for Patrick 'unconditional'
Transport group Toll Holdings Ltd has declared its $6 billion-plus takeover offer for stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd unconditional, after securing more than 50 per cent of Patrick shares.
Thu May 11th, 2006 | DavidB | | 312 reads |
Finally, Little gets his hands on Patrick
Nine months, several court cases, rival bidders and billions of dollars later, Paul Little finally has his hands on the prize — operational control of Patrick Corporation.
Thu May 11th, 2006 | DavidB | 366 reads |
Toll gains 50% of Patrick
Toll Holdings says it has won acceptances for more than 50 per cent of stevedore Patrick Corp.
Thu May 11th, 2006 | DavidB | 308 reads |
Infrastructure planning needed: rail operators
It was record company profits that helped deliver the massive Federal Budget surplus, but experts say infrastructure bottlenecks are still holding the economy back.
Last night, Peter Costello promised $2.3 billion for Australia's road and rail networks.
But rail operators say the money heading their way will only help to cover funding shortfalls from previous years.
Thu May 11th, 2006 | DavidB | | 442 reads |
Fox the big loser in Toll's triumph
Paul Little must feel a bit like that liquid-metal guy who took on Arnie in Terminator II. The bullets kept flying and he just kept walking. But this time, Arnie lost, and he won't be back.
Wed May 10th, 2006 | DavidB | 427 reads |
Road, rail get some welcome steam up
TRANSPORT associations have welcomed the Federal Government's
decision to provide an extra $2.3 billion over the next four years
to improve the nation's roads and railways.
Wed May 10th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 430 reads |
Budget to get roads, rail back on track
The Federal Treasurer, Peter Costello has this evening announced transport infrastructure, nationwide, will receive a spending budget of $5 billion in 2005/06 and 2006/07.
Tue May 9th, 2006 | bevans | 5 comments | | 559 reads |
Macquarie abandons Patrick bid
Macquarie Bank has decided not to go ahead with a last-minute bid for the transport company and ports operator Patrick Corporation.
Tue May 9th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 374 reads |
Toll slams MacBank on bid plan
TOLL Holdings chief Paul Little has hit back at Macquarie Bank's
plans to gazump his hard-fought takeover of Patrick, saying
Macquarie's scheme is risky, highly geared, speculative and
vulnerable to pressure from Toll. In a paper released yesterday,
Toll described the deal as "Macquarie's Big Patrick Con Job".
Mon May 8th, 2006 | DavidB | 308 reads |
Toll sows doubt among Macquarie's backers
TO SECURE his grip on Patrick Corporation, Toll Holdings boss
Paul Little must first try to derail Macquarie Bank's counter-bid
for Patrick before it is launched.
Mon May 8th, 2006 | DavidB | 289 reads |
Toll fights back
Toll Holdings boss Paul Little yesterday vowed to fight off any Macquarie Bank-led bid for stevedore, Patrick Corporation.
Mon May 8th, 2006 | DavidB | 242 reads |
Toll fights back
Toll claimed yesterday that Macquarie was trying to gather more than $3 billion in capital to mount the counter-bid for Patrick.
Mon May 8th, 2006 | bevans | 1 comment | | 298 reads |
Corrigan's surrender is not a monte for Toll
AT LAST year's annual meeting, Patrick Corp's Chris Corrigan
showed a film of the famous "Black Knight" scene from Monty
Python and the Holy Grail, likening the King Arthur character
to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Graeme
Samuel and the dismembered Black Knight to Toll Holdings' Paul
Little.
Sat May 6th, 2006 | DavidB | 330 reads |
Mac truck rolls through Toll
Who would be Paul Little? After nine months of furious wrangling he had pretty much bagged his prey. Toll's boss had Patrick Corp in his keep.
Sat May 6th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 395 reads |
Whistles for man who loved trains
A COUSIN of the off-duty train driver killed a week ago said it
was "a twist of fate" that he had decided to check out the new
high-speed train to Melbourne.
Sat May 6th, 2006 | bevans | 7 comments | | 1039 reads |
No Patrick extension for Toll
Toll Holdings Ltd said today that it would not extend its takeover offer for stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd beyond May 12.
Fri May 5th, 2006 | DavidB | 363 reads |
Macquarie Bank makes bid for Patrick
The Macquarie Bank has come in with a last-minute proposal for port operator Patrick, just weeks after the company finally accepted an offer from Toll Holdings.
Fri May 5th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 324 reads |
Adventure turns to terror
Friday's journey from Ararat to Melbourne for Buangor mum, Nicha Dyer and her three children was to be one of an adventure and fun.
Fri May 5th, 2006 | bevans | | 427 reads |
Any Mac attack on Patrick would have to be quick
Macquarie Bank apparently hasn't given up hope of organising a takeover bid for Patrick Corp. Late last year it failed to get up a joint bid with Linfox, and now it's said to be trying to persuade institutions to back a consortium bid.
Fri May 5th, 2006 | DavidB | 322 reads |
Road, rail freight on cards for Qantas
QANTAS is in the business of flying passengers, but this could
soon change with the national carrier looking to expand into other
modes of transport, such as road and rail freight.
Wed May 3rd, 2006 | DavidB | 523 reads |
BBI buys energy, rail assets for $3.5b
Babcock and Brown Infrastructure Group (BBI) will beef up its asset portfolio with $3.5 billion worth of acquisitions in the energy and rail sectors in the US and Australia.
Wed April 26th, 2006 | DavidB | | 523 reads |
Veterans stranded by city-centric services
Veterans relying on public transport to travel from the Southern Highlands to Sydney for ANZAC Day have been let down by inadequate local train services, according to Member for Southern Highlands Peta Seaton.
Mon April 24th, 2006 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 520 reads |
Toll sticks to estimates
Toll Holdings chief executive Paul Little believes forecast cost savings from the $6.2 billion acquisition of Patrick Corp are "conservative".
Mon April 24th, 2006 | DavidB | 367 reads |
Toll pledges to mend Pacific National
Transport giant Toll Holdings is anxious to fix up its ailing rail business, Pacific National, now that the Patrick takeover has been approved.
Sun April 23rd, 2006 | DavidB | | 642 reads |
Qld Rail tries to build alliance
QUEENSLAND Rail has asked Qantas to join a national alliance and
will invite P&O to take over management of Brisbane's Acacia
Ridge rail terminal as part of its plan to build a major transport
competitor to the new Toll-Patrick combination.
Fri April 21st, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 536 reads |
ACCC gives nod to allied action against dominant Toll
The competition regulator has given its tacit approval to an alliance of second-tier transport operators to compete with the logistics giant that will emerge from the marriage of Toll Holdings and Patrick Corp.
Thu April 20th, 2006 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 460 reads |
Fearless SCT Logistics steams ahead
PRIVATE rail and trucking operator SCT Logistics has brushed
aside fears about the power of a bigger Toll Holdings and is
gearing to expand in the national rail freight market.
Thu April 20th, 2006 | DavidB | 470 reads |
QR talks national expansion in Toll battle
Queensland Rail (QR) is not interested in buying Linfox — but it is talking to the national logistics giant, and others, about strategic partnerships as it steels itself for the fight against a merged Toll-Patrick.
Wed April 19th, 2006 | DavidB | 433 reads |
Little's Toll on a roll
The market yesterday responded to the Easter takeover of Patrick Corp by Toll Holdings by driving a 12 per cent rise in the transport group's shares.
Wed April 19th, 2006 | DavidB | 382 reads |
Alliance bell tolls for 'leftovers'
Some of Australia's largest transport companies are considering forming an alliance that would allow them to compete head-to-head with the behemoth created by the Toll Holdings acquisition of Patrick Corp.
Wed April 19th, 2006 | DavidB | 362 reads |
Trains put cities on track to boom
Let's start with the obvious: infrastructure, or the lack of it, significantly influences the value of retail property.
Tue April 18th, 2006 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 598 reads |
QR looks to bulk up on Linfox
QUEENSLAND Rail is in the market to buy the Linfox transport
business in an attempt to build up enough muscle to compete with
the Toll Holdings behemoth following the takeover of Patrick.
Tue April 18th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 444 reads |
Case for rail link is strong
It's 200km shorter, there is no flood plain to cover, the Government owns the land and the infrastructure already exists are just some of the reasons why the New England rail line should be considered for the lucrative Melbourne to Brisbane rail link.
Tue April 18th, 2006 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 527 reads |
ACCC nod for Patrick FCL buy
Patrick Corporation has been given the all-clear by the competition regulator to acquire freight forwarding company FCL Interstate Transport, after offering to split up its rail joint venture with Toll Holdings.
Thu April 13th, 2006 | DavidB | 388 reads |
Judge sends Toll bid to Patrick's holders
Patrick's latest legal challenge to Toll's hostile takeover bid received a substantial setback yesterday, when the Federal Court ruled it would not hear the matter until after the Toll bid is scheduled to close.
Wed April 12th, 2006 | DavidB | | 344 reads |
Toll asks panel for Patrick hurry-up
Toll Holdings has upped the ante against Patrick Corp, taking official action to force its takeover target to take a stand on Toll's revised $5 billion-plus bid.
Tue April 11th, 2006 | DavidB | | 388 reads |
Patrick case in Federal Court
Patrick Corp's legal challenge to Toll Holdings' hostile $5.3 billion takeover bid will go before the Federal Court next week.
Thu April 6th, 2006 | DavidB | 390 reads |
Corrigan Pac Nat court bid
Chris Corrigan will ask the Federal Court next week to rule that corporate regulator Graeme Samuel and Toll Holdings both overstepped the mark by making a deal to carve up the Toll-Patrick Corp rail business Pacific National.
Thu April 6th, 2006 | DavidB | 397 reads |
Procrastinating Patrick gets a final warning
Toll Holdings chief executive Paul Little says he will declare his hostile bid for Patrick Corp final if he can't convince the Patrick board to rethink their rejection of his $5.3 million offer.
Wed April 5th, 2006 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 426 reads |
Patrick courts Toll ruling reversal
Patrick has mounted another legal challenge to Toll's hostile $5.3 billion takeover bid, seeking to have the competition regulator's approval of the merger overturned in the Federal Court.
Tue April 4th, 2006 | DavidB | 360 reads |
Toll signals bid for Patrick is 'final'
Toll Holdings is set to draw a line under its hostile takeover bid for Patrick Corporation, declaring that $5.2 billion in shares and cash is its final offer.
Mon April 3rd, 2006 | DavidB | | 385 reads |
ARG on board Queensland Rail
The competition regulator has given the green light to Queensland Rail's takeover of Australian Railroad Group, paving the way for QR to challenge Pacific National's market dominance.
Mon April 3rd, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 470 reads |
FCL rivals approve Patrick's proposal
Key players in the freight forwarding market say they have no objection to Patrick Corp's plans to buy their rival FCL, increasing the chances that the competition regulator will approve the deal.
Thu March 30th, 2006 | DavidB | 425 reads |
SA 'train' came first
Adelaide software-simulation developer Sydac has won a $2 million contract to provide two simulators for Britain's First ScotRail.
Wed March 29th, 2006 | DavidB | | 433 reads |
Patrick beaten again as panel waves Toll through
Patrick Corp lost another regulatory skirmish in its long-running battle with Toll Holdings last night when the Takeovers Panel denied the stevedoring company's application to delay Toll's $5.5 billion bid.
Mon March 27th, 2006 | DavidB | 385 reads |
Toll talks up bid
Toll Holdings hopes to have swayed some of Patrick's more intransigent shareholders to accept its $5.5 billion bid for the stevedoring company after managing director Paul Little concluded a two-day roadshow in Sydney on Thursday.
Sat March 25th, 2006 | DavidB | | 383 reads |
Patrick plays for time
Chris Corrigan hopes he can buy time in his acrimonious battle with Toll Holdings' Paul Little in order to set up his own line-haul container freight business.
Fri March 24th, 2006 | DavidB | | 509 reads |
Toll bid "a confection" - Corrigan
Stevedore Patrick Corporation managing director Chris Corrigan on Thursday slammed into Toll Holdings' new bid saying it "conceals more than it reveals".
Thu March 23rd, 2006 | DavidB | 379 reads |
Toll raises bidding to $5.4b
Toll Holdings has goaded Patrick to detail its merger plans with Australia's second-largest road transport business - Linfox - after raising its takeover offer for the stevedore to $5.4 billion.
Thu March 23rd, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | 409 reads |
Patrick says new Toll offer 'a discount'
Stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd says the revised takeover offer from transport group Toll Holdings Ltd represented a significant discount to the recent trading price of Patrick shares.
Wed March 22nd, 2006 | DavidB | 364 reads |
Toll lifts bid for Patrick
Toll Holdings today made a revised cash-and-scrip bid for stevedore Patrick Corp equating to $7.52 per Patrick share, which could potentially rise to $7.82.
Wed March 22nd, 2006 | DavidB | 381 reads |
Next, Qantas buys railway
Qantas is thought to be considering a major change - from being a pure airline company to becoming a diversified transport group.
Wed March 22nd, 2006 | DavidB | 723 reads |
Toll hits Patrick on having PN half
Toll Holdings has slammed Patrick Corp over the takeover target's declaration last week that it wanted to take half the freight capacity of the Pacific National rail joint venture.
Mon March 20th, 2006 | DavidB | 2 comments | 481 reads |
Toll will do 'all it can' to derail Patrick's plan
Toll Holdings has hit back at Patrick's threat to dismember the Pacific National rail joint venture, describing it as an act of desperation by Patrick in its serial attempts to avoid being acquired by Toll.
Mon March 20th, 2006 | DavidB | 406 reads |
Toll faces bidding war for Patrick: FCL's Gibbins
Patrick shareholders need to realise their unique market position before selling out to Toll Holdings and should be prepared for a counter bid for the company, a key Patrick ally says.
Thu March 16th, 2006 | DavidB | 2 comments | 552 reads |
Toll sell-off to net $1.8b
Paul Little will have to sell trains, trucks and ships worth as much as $1.8 billion if his takeover bid for Chris Corrigan's Patrick Corp is successful.
Thu March 16th, 2006 | DavidB | 2 comments | 483 reads |
BBI not looking at Pacific National buy
Babcock and Brown Infrastructure Group (BBI) says it is not looking at buying half of rail firm Pacific National if Toll Holdings Ltd puts its stake up for sale.
Tue March 14th, 2006 | DavidB | | 472 reads |
Toll and Patrick shares rocket on ACCC decision
Shares in Patrick Corp and Toll Holdings jumped at the open today after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) withdrew its opposition to Toll's takeover bid for the stevedore business.
Mon March 13th, 2006 | DavidB | 402 reads |
Toll gets green light to buy Patrick
The competition watchdog says it will withdraw its opposition to transport group Toll Holdings taking over Patrick Corporation.
Sat March 11th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 683 reads |
PN won't oppose rail takeover
Pacific National plans to notify the nation's corporate regulator today that it will not oppose Queensland Rail's joint-venture $1.3 billion acquisition of the Australian Railroad Group.
Fri March 3rd, 2006 | DavidB | | 576 reads |
Toll may raise Patrick bid to $5b
Toll Holdings is prepared to increase its hostile takeover bid for Patrick Corp to at least $5 billion, if it can find a way of securing competition approval without losing the best parts of the combined business.
Wed March 1st, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | 380 reads |
$2.4m Overland upgrade
The nation's longest-running interstate passenger train, The Overland, is to get a $2.4 million upgrade.
Tue February 28th, 2006 | DavidB | 9 comments | | 920 reads |
QR in $1b rail deal
Over the past 20 years, more and more traditional public infrastructure has passed into private hands. Although the jury's still out on Telstra and the so-called public-private partnerships on toll roads, in some states at least, are on the nose with many commuters.
Tue February 28th, 2006 | DavidB | | 615 reads |
Toll offers sale to calm watchdog
Toll Holdings has offered to sell off half of its joint-venture rail business in a series of new undertakings aimed at winning approval from the competition regulator for its hostile $4 billion bid for Patrick.
Tue February 28th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | 375 reads |
Toll to present new undertakings on Patrick Corp
Toll Holdings Ltd will present a new set of undertakings to the consumer watchdog in another effort to get approval for its stalled $4.6 billion hostile takeover bid for stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd.
Mon February 27th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | 425 reads |
Great Southern Railway loves our sunburnt country
Great Southern Railway, owners and operators of Australia’s two iconic train services - The Legendary Ghan and the mighty Indian Pacific - have launched a new national brand and retail television campaign.
Mon February 27th, 2006 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 518 reads |
Uncoupling PN
The battle between Toll Holdings and Patrick Corp continues today with both sides to vote on a new move to wind up their much-troubled Pacific National rail partnership.
Mon February 27th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 445 reads |
Bell tolls as rail partners vote
The Toll Holdings - Patrick Corp battle continues today with both sides to vote on a new move to wind up their much-troubled rail partnership, Pacific National.
Mon February 27th, 2006 | DavidB | 471 reads |
Govt to investigate transport pricing
The Productivity Commission will hold a public inquiry into the costs and charges of the nation's key rail and road networks.
Thu February 23rd, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 438 reads |
Judge orders one PN trial
The looming court feud between transport enemies Paul Little and Chris Corrigan is expected to be considerably shortened after a Victorian judge intervened yesterday.
Thu February 23rd, 2006 | DavidB | | 464 reads |
New twist in Toll bid
Toll Holdings has conceded it may seek a joint venture for parts of its $4.6 billion bid for Patrick as a way of overcoming objections by the competition regulator.
Wed February 22nd, 2006 | DavidB | 411 reads |
Toll to pursue opportunities in Asia
Transport group Toll Holdings Ltd is considering expansion
opportunities in Asia as it continues to pursue its stalled $4.6
billion takeover bid for stevedore Patrick Corp.
Tue February 21st, 2006 | DavidB | 328 reads |
Toll ready to expand transport empire
TRANSPORT group Toll Holdings today posted a 10 per cent rise in first-half net profit and said it was ready to expand its operations.
Tue February 21st, 2006 | DavidB | 430 reads |
Clear track for resurging rail industry
As Government moves to shift freight away from road transport and meet population needs, manufacturers are enjoying a significant slice of an industry estimated at $11bn in rail infrastructure.
Tue February 21st, 2006 | DavidB | | 636 reads |
Toll in talks with SembCorp over stake
Transport firm Toll Holdings Ltd is in talks with Singapore's SembCorp Logistics about the possibility of taking a stake in the company but says there is no certainty of a deal.
Tue February 21st, 2006 | DavidB | 370 reads |
Toll revisits old turf
This is followed by a detailed update on how Toll is trying to remove the Patrick directors from Pacific National claiming "oppression", and a summary of how Patrick is trying to wind up Pacific National.
Tue February 21st, 2006 | bevans | 409 reads |
Silverton Tramway Sold
Local employees hope a change of ownership of Silverton Tramways will boost on-ground works in Broken Hill. An undisclosed figure was paid, last month, by a specially formed company, run by the South Spur group, to buy over 300 wagons and 70 locomotives from Sydney based company Transcorp.
Tue February 21st, 2006 | markcurtis/bevans | 2 comments | | 1260 reads |
Investors to focus on Toll's strategy
The growth strategy for the future and the ongoing saga over the future of joint-venture rail operator Pacific National will be two of the key issues when Toll Holdings Ltd reports its first half results on Tuesday.
Mon February 20th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | 391 reads |
Work to clear train wreck
BACK in 1991, the state and federal governments banded together to sort out the interstate rail network. The over-staffed, under-utilised, state-based rail operators had lost a combined $377 million in the 1989-1990 financial year - and that wasn't even one of the bad years.
Sat February 18th, 2006 | DavidB | | 540 reads |
PacNat out of luck at Acacia Ridge
RAIL giant Pacific National has had a setback in its rivalry
with Queensland Rail by losing a Federal Court case over access to
Brisbane's key rail terminal.
Fri February 17th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 488 reads |
Split could help Patrick
THE Supreme Court legal actions launched by Paul Little's Toll
Holdings and Chris Corrigan's Patrick Corp yesterday over the
Toll-Patrick container and bulk rail joint venture, Pacific
National, underline the fact that while Little's options for
growing Toll will diminish if PN is broken up, Corrigan's growth
options could multiply.
Thu February 16th, 2006 | DavidB | 357 reads |
Toll tactic could backfire as Patrick moves to break up PN
TOLL Holdings has embarked on a high-risk strategy in seeking to resolve the impasse over Pacific National by having the existing Patrick representatives - Chris Corrigan and Allan Davies - thrown off the board of the rail joint venture on the grounds of oppression.
Thu February 16th, 2006 | DavidB | 348 reads |
Toll, Patrick start legal action
Transport firm Toll Holdings Ltd and takeover target Patrick
Corp Ltd both began legal action that will determine the future of
their Pacific National joint-venture rail operation.
Wed February 15th, 2006 | DavidB | 345 reads |
A new Australian rail duopoly?
With the bulking up of Queensland's rail assets, the embattled Pacific National (PN) faces a formidable — and sizable — opponent.
Wed February 15th, 2006 | DavidB | 456 reads |
Qld Rail and B&B divvy up WA rail
QUEENSLAND Rail has set out to challenge Pacific National's
dominance in transcontinental rail freight after joining forces
with Babcock & Brown in a $1.3 billion purchase of the West
Australian rail system.
Wed February 15th, 2006 | DavidB | | 494 reads |
Trains deal has them all chuffed
THE driving force behind investment and advisory juggernaut
Babcock & Brown, Phil Green, is an astute investor. He buys
well and sells even better.
Wed February 15th, 2006 | DavidB | 435 reads |
QR, B&B get freight on track
QUEENSLAND Rail will emerge as one of the top two freight carriers in the country after sealing a deal with investment bank Babcock & Brown to buy Australian Railroad Group from Western Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers and its US partner Genesee & Wyoming for $1.3 billion.
Wed February 15th, 2006 | DavidB | 354 reads |
Train spotters see Toll on turntable
IT is hard not to view the long-awaited consummation of Queensland Rail's plan to buy the best bits of Australian Rail Group through anything but the prism of the bristling feud between Toll Holdings and Patrick Corporation.
Wed February 15th, 2006 | DavidB | 395 reads |
QR just drove a train through the ACCC's Toll argument
WHEN the ACCC last month gobsmacked Toll Holdings by opposing its takeover bid for Patrick Corp this commentator questioned whether Toll had been listening properly to the competition watchdog - now it appears that it may have been the ACCC that wasn't listening.
Wed February 15th, 2006 | DavidB | 345 reads |
QR in $1.3b WA rail deal
QUEENSLAND Rail is going national after teaming up with investment house Babcock & Brown to buy a slice of the lucrative West Australian railway network for $1.3 billion.
Wed February 15th, 2006 | DavidB | 314 reads |
Qld Rail buys into freight market
Queensland Rail is set to become a major national freight player
after an announcement it will purchase the "above rail" assets of
Australian Railroad Group.
Tue February 14th, 2006 | DavidB | 381 reads |
QR and B&B buy Australian Railroad Group
Babcock & Brown Ltd., Australia's second-biggest investment bank, and state-run Queensland Rail agreed to buy Australian Railroad Group for $1.3 billion.
Tue February 14th, 2006 | DavidB | 466 reads |
United Group well on track
RAILWAY equipment maker United Group expects to beat its full-year earnings targets and come close to doubling last year's annual profits as it continues to prosper from the resources and infrastructure boom.
Tue February 14th, 2006 | DavidB | 437 reads |
Rail welcomes transport competition review
The rail industry has welcomed a review into pricing structures for freight transport, announced at the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting on Friday.
Australasian Railway Association (ARA) CEO Bryan Nye says a changed approach to transport policy settings is needed.
Mon February 13th, 2006 | bevans | 3 comments | | 885 reads |
Patrick plans to stymie Toll
PATRICK Corp plans to acquire half the freight-carrying capacity of Pacific National, further undermining Toll Holdings' position in the marketplace.
Sat February 11th, 2006 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 526 reads |
Patrick ponders Linfox deal as PN loophole discovered
PATRICK Corp plans to take on hostile takeover suitor Toll Holdings on its own turf - land-based logistics - using a recently discovered loophole that would keep the pair's Pacific National rail joint venture intact.
Fri February 10th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 551 reads |
ACCC urges court to quash Toll bid
THE competition watchdog has thrown down the gauntlet to Toll
Holdings, taking it to the Federal Court to block its bid for rival
and partner Patrick Corp.
Fri February 10th, 2006 | DavidB | 329 reads |
Patrick says rail break up may ease ACCC
Australia's biggest stevedore, Patrick Corp Ltd, says the break-up of its joint-venture rail operations with takeover predator Toll Holdings Ltd may help ease competition concerns, as it eyes its own acquisitions in the transport industry.
Fri February 10th, 2006 | DavidB | 312 reads |
ACCC starts Patrick court action
The competition watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), has started court proceedings against transport group Toll Holdings to stop Toll from proceeding with its $4.6 billion takeover bid for stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd.
Thu February 9th, 2006 | DavidB | | 367 reads |
Infrastructure access laws go through
New ways to determine how much users of key national
infrastructure like ports, rail lines and pipelines have to pay was
passed by the House of Representatives.
Thu February 9th, 2006 | DavidB | | 451 reads |
Patrick profits on track
Patrick Corp has reaffirmed its profit forecast for this financial year and says it plans to build its own competitive rail business.
Thu February 9th, 2006 | DavidB | | 356 reads |
Time to bring the watchdog to heel over Toll
If the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is able to get away with refusing to initiate court action to prevent Toll Holdings from acquiring Patrick Corp, it would become a law unto itself.
Wed February 8th, 2006 | DavidB | 365 reads |
ACCC backs Toll into a corner and Patrick might have a chance to out Fox it
THE Toll Holdings camp is coming under extreme and increasing
pressure to do something about the debilitating impasse it has
reached with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and
the destructive relationship it has with its joint venture partner
and takeover target, Patrick Corp.
Tue February 7th, 2006 | DavidB | | 434 reads |
Courts key to PN deadlock
TOLL Holdings is coming under extreme and increasing pressure to
do something about the debilitating impasse it has reached with the
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the destructive
relationship it has with its joint venture partner and takeover
target, Patrick Corp.
Just over a month ago, with the market convinced Toll was ab
Tue February 7th, 2006 | DavidB | 2 comments | 393 reads |
ACCC hits back at criticism from Toll
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has hit back at criticism by transport firm Toll Holdings Ltd that the watchdog was taking too long to start legal action against Toll.
Thu February 2nd, 2006 | DavidB | 407 reads |
Toll requests ACCC action over offer
Transport firm Toll Holdings Ltd called upon the competition
watchdog to commence court action against it in relation to Toll's
$4.6 billion hostile takeover offer for stevedore Patrick Corp
Ltd.
Thu February 2nd, 2006 | DavidB | 361 reads |
Bring it on: Toll presses ACCC over court case
TOLL Holdings has urged the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission to speed up its legal proceedings against the transport
group's $4.6 billion mainly scrip takeover for Patrick Corp.
Thu February 2nd, 2006 | DavidB | 347 reads |
Plans urge boost to rail
Train services into inner city Newcastle would be retained and slowed to 40kph as part of a region-wide public transport strategy proposed by the Hunter Business Chamber.
Wed February 1st, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 420 reads |
New hope for Railway Institute Hall
THE ongoing saga of the fate of Merredin's Railway Institute Hall continued last week, when Merredin Shire Council resolved to investigate the cost of incorporating the hall in the proposed expansion of the medical centre.
Sat January 28th, 2006 | bevans | 483 reads |
PN rail joint venture set to terminate
WHATEVER happens now, rail giant Pacific National is almost certainly finished in its present state - and the big winner could be Chris Corrigan.
Fri January 27th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 601 reads |
Court fight to take Toll on shareholders
Shareholders in logisitics giants Toll and Patrick are facing six months or more of uncertainty, after Toll boss Paul Little stuck by his $4 billion-plus takeover bid for Patrick, forcing the competition watchdog to take him to court in an attempt to enforce its veto.
Thu January 26th, 2006 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 426 reads |
Toll's bid for Patrick heads to court
Transport company Toll Holdings Ltd's beleaguered $4.6 billion hostile takeover offer for stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd is headed to the courts, after Toll broke off talks with the competition watchdog.
Wed January 25th, 2006 | DavidB | 359 reads |
Toll stops talks with ACCC over Patrick bid
Transport company Toll Holdings Ltd today said it would
discontinue talks with the competition watchdog over its $4.6
billion hostile takeover bid for stevedore Patrick Corp and contest
the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's opposition to
the bid.
Wed January 25th, 2006 | DavidB | 410 reads |
Toll bid to put takeover back on rails
TOLL Holdings shares continued their free fall, losing another
4.6 per cent, as Toll paraded further possible amendments to its $4
billion-plus bid for Patrick Corp before the competition watchdog
in the hope of winning approval.
Wed January 25th, 2006 | DavidB | 340 reads |
Toll bid cost $130m
Paul Little's thwarted ambition came at a personal cost of $130 million.
Wed January 25th, 2006 | DavidB | 342 reads |
Toll has confidence in Pacific National
Transport firm Toll Holdings has expressed confidence in its
joint-venture rail operations, Pacific National, expecting the
financial performance of the business to improve in coming
months.
Tue January 24th, 2006 | bevans | 318 reads |
The little guys who helped kill Toll's Patrick bid
THE Toll-Patrick takeover dispute is a particularly vituperative
and personal affair where personalities as much as business or
economic realities have been at the forefront in the armoury
deployed in the $4 billion-plus battle.
Mon January 23rd, 2006 | Loco | | 482 reads |
Toll keeps Patrick bid alive
Transport group Toll Holdings Ltd on Friday moved to keep alive
its hostile $4.6 billion takeover bid for stevedore Patrick Corp
Ltd as a new round of bickering broke out over their rail operator
Pacific National.
Fri January 20th, 2006 | DavidB | 431 reads |
ACCC to oppose Toll bid for Patrick
Transport group Toll Holdings Ltd's $4.6 billion takeover bid for stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd received what could be a fatal blow when the competition watchdog opposed the bid because the combined group would have too much power.
Thu January 19th, 2006 | MelbourneCity/bevans | 482 reads |
United Group awarded $90m in rail contracts
United Group Limited today announced contracts worth over $90 million awarded to its rail and infrastructure businesses. The contracts involve rolling stock and track and signaling works for various groups including Queensland Rail, BHP Billiton Iron Ore and Freightlink.
Tue January 17th, 2006 | DavidB | | 576 reads |
Toll bid an expensive distraction - Patrick
The $4.6 billion takeover bid by transport group Toll Holdings for Patrick Corp has been an unwelcome and expensive distraction, Patrick Corp said on Monday.
Tue January 10th, 2006 | DavidB | | 446 reads |
Toll to surrender rail paths
UNDER pressure from the competition watchdog, transport group
Toll Holdings has tightened the concessions it is making in its
$4.6 billion takeover bid for Patrick Corp.
Thu January 5th, 2006 | Loco | 2 comments | 435 reads |
Toll wants Patrick takeover wrapped up by February
Toll Holdings managing director Paul Little says he will be "very disappointed" if his company does not wrap up its $4.6 billion takeover bid for Patrick Corp by February.
Wed December 21st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 570 reads |
Toll ready to devour Patrick
Transport giant Toll Holdings is close to getting the nod from the competition watchdog to win the bitter battle for Patrick Corp — but a final decision is still about two weeks away.
Wed December 21st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 544 reads |
Toll meeting snub
The acrimonious relationship between Toll Holdings and takeover target Patrick Corp entered a new phase yesterday when Patrick formally advised it would launch a multi-million dollar damages claim against the Melbourne-based raider.
Tue December 20th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 452 reads |
Patrick's on track to sue Toll
Patrick is expected to start legal action against hostile takeover suitor Toll Holdings early in the new year over a contract dispute at their joint venture rail business, Pacific National.
Tue December 20th, 2005 | DavidB | 372 reads |
Patrick plays a spoiler as Toll keeps to the takeover track
The welter of claims and counter-claims make it difficult to sort out just who's behaving badly in the spat between Toll and its takeover target, Patrick Corp, over their 50-50 owned rail joint venture, Pacific National.
Fri December 16th, 2005 | DavidB | | 517 reads |
Patrick to haul Toll into court
The takeover battle for Patrick Corp is about to get personal, with the company set to sue Toll Holdings chief Paul Little and director Mark Rowsthorn over allegations of misleading and deceptive conduct at their joint venture rail business Pacific National.
Fri December 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 351 reads |
No boss for Pacific National after board storm
The Pacific National rail freight group is still without a chief executive after a heated board meeting ended when Patrick Corporation chief executive Chris Corrigan stormed out.
Wed December 14th, 2005 | DavidB | | 517 reads |
Rail head rolls as battle deepens
After a day bizarre even by the recent standards of life inside Pacific National, Australia's biggest rail freight company is now without a chief executive, has been subject to a high-risk quasi-coup by one its shareholders, and could soon be in big trouble with rail safety regulators.
Wed December 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 427 reads |
Patrick bid takes Toll on PacNat's CEO
Toll's takeover battle for Patrick Corp claimed its first casualty yesterday, with the chief executive of the companies' joint venture rail business, Pacific National, being shown the door as Toll boss Paul Little anointed himself as head of the company.
Wed December 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 384 reads |
Toll Holdings backs down on rail, ships
Transport giant Toll Holdings has made further rail, road and shipping concessions to the competition watchdog to win approval for its $4.6 billion takeover offer for Patrick Corp.
Tue December 13th, 2005 | DavidB | 557 reads |
No ACCC deal: Patrick
No deal has been struck between Toll Holdings and the competition watchdog on the takeover of Patrick Corporation, Patrick insists.
Mon December 12th, 2005 | DavidB | | 459 reads |
Toll about to get its way
Patrick Corporation is now within Toll Holdings' grasp. Late last night Toll's managing director, Paul Little, was at Australian Competition and Consumer Commission headquarters in Melbourne negotiating an agreement and, barring a last-minute hitch, an announcement giving the go-ahead is likely soon. It will then come down to price, and there is not much doubt Little will pay almost whatever it takes. He has to.
Sat December 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 536 reads |
Toll must dump half of PN: ARTC
Australia's rail regulator has delivered a scathing rebuke of Toll Holding's takeover bid for Patrick Corporation.
Thu December 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | 656 reads |
Leader-less PN in danger of closure
The boardroom brawl at Pacific National (PN) between fueding owners Patrick Corporation and Toll Holdings could see the rail giant cease operations as soon as Monday.
Thu December 8th, 2005 | DavidB | | 710 reads |
ARTC has another swing at Toll
Toll Holdings' designated rail freight umpire, David Marchant, has extended his brutal campaign against Paul Little's plan to buy Patrick Corp.
Thu December 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 466 reads |
ACCC will kill us, says PN rail rival
Private transport group SCT Logistics has challenged the competition watchdog's belief that a Toll Holdings takeover of Patrick Corp will strangle competition on the main east-west rail line.
Tue December 6th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 474 reads |
QR, Qantas in freight alliance
Queensland Rail (QR) is exploring forming a strategic freight alliance with Qantas as it battles for market share with Pacific National (PN).
Mon December 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 533 reads |
Qantas gets into rail
QANTAS and Queensland Rail have been exploring a strategic freight alliance as the government-owned rail group faces a challenge for market share from Pacific National.
Sat December 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 583 reads |
Patrick moves again on FCL
Patrick Corp's Chris Corrigan showed his contempt for Toll Holdings' $4.6 billion takeover bid yesterday by making a fresh attempt to acquire Melbourne based FCL Transport Services.
Fri December 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | 372 reads |
Pique hour as PN chief lays it on the line for rail workers
Stephen O'Donnell has chosen an historic way to mark his final 10 days as the chief executive of Pacific National. Yesterday the boss of the riven Toll-Patrick rail freight operator delivered orders for the first ever lock-out of Australian rail workers.
Fri December 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | | 465 reads |
Union members face lockout in rail dispute
Dozens of members of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) have been locked out of their workplaces in Broken Hill in far west NSW and Port Augusta in South Australia, bringing freight trains to a grinding halt.
Thu December 1st, 2005 | DavidB | | 601 reads |
Week takes toll on Patrick play
A week is a long time in politics and, apparently, even longer in competition regulation. Last Sunday, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Graeme Samuel apparently opened the gate to Toll Holdings's bid for Patrick, saying Toll chief Paul Little had "taken a step in the right direction" towards securing regulatory clearance.
Thu December 1st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 446 reads |
Toll's undertakings in doubt
Toll Holdings' chances of getting its hostile takeover of Patrick Corp past the competition regulator were reduced yesterday, when a company with which Toll claimed to have a deal to ensure rail competition refused to confirm the agreement.
Wed November 30th, 2005 | DavidB | | 415 reads |
Plenty of encouragement for Toll
The Toll Holdings camp must be feeling more confident of getting their $4.6 billion bid for Patrick Corporation past the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission after comments by the commission's chairman, Graeme Samuel, at the weekend.
Tue November 29th, 2005 | DavidB | 368 reads |
Both Toll and Patrick are destroying value
Over at Patrick Corp, the takeover target, Chris Corrigan has
once again demonstrated how aggressive a defence strategy can
become. With the release of Patrick's earnings yesterday - more
particularly news of its generous dividend policy - Corrigan is
playing the ultimate card to ramp up his company's share price and
put it out of reach of the current offer from Toll.
Fri November 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 481 reads |
Famous rail icon must be preserved
Shadow Minister for Tourism and the Member for Burrinjuck, Katrina Hodgkinson has called on the NSW Labor Government to guarantee the operating future of the historic 3801 steam locomotive, so familiar on Lithgow/Blue Mountains lines.
Thu November 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 543 reads |
Sparks to fly over rail post
More fireworks are expected today when Toll and Patrick directors seek a replacement for Pacific National chief executive Stephen O'Donnell.
Tue November 15th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 443 reads |
Pacific National Staff walk off the job
Railworkers are standing up to Pacific National's insistence that it be allowed to strip money from the pockets of future generations.
Pacific National negotiators have told RTBU reps the push to dud new starters is not an issue of cost but rather one of “philosophy”.
Mon November 14th, 2005 | sthyer/DavidB | 645 reads |
Regulator clouds Toll bid
Toll Holdings might be forced to sell its 50 per cent of the Pacific National rail joint venture before it could proceed with a $4.3 billion bid for Patrick Corporation, the competition regulator declared yesterday.
Fri November 11th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 503 reads |
Toll has to offer something better
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission hasn't
derailed Toll Holdings' $4.6 billion bid for Patrick Corp, but it
has taken some steam out of its boilers.
Fri November 11th, 2005 | DavidB | | 380 reads |
ACCC has issues with Toll's bid
Transport company Toll Holdings Ltd's proposed $4.6 billion takeover of stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd would lead to a substantial lessening of competition, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said.
The ACCC released its preliminary view in a statement of issues relating to Toll's bid and a timetable for further submissions on the matter.
Fri November 11th, 2005 | freightgate/bevans | 1 comment | 375 reads |
Patrick still against Toll bid
PATRICK has pledged to continue trying to break up its Pacific National rail joint venture with hostile takeover bidder Toll Holdings, after an independent arbitrator yesterday ruled against a resolution that could have allowed the asset to be split between the two companies.
Wed November 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 348 reads |
Arbitrator backs Toll in rail row
Patrick Corporation has copped a caning in its dispute with Toll
Holdings over rail operator Pacific National, with an independent
arbitrator backing Toll's position and ordering Patrick to pay the
costs of arbitration.
Wed November 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 396 reads |
Toll claims victory in rail stoush
Transport conglomerate Toll Holdings Ltd has claimed victory in
its fight with takeover target stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd over its
joint-venture rail operator, Pacific National.
Wed November 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 306 reads |
Corrigan braces for worst on PN split
Patrick Corp chief Chris Corrigan said yesterday that he expected to lose an arbitration decision that could have helped him fend off a hostile $4.5 billion takeover bid from Toll Holdings.
Tue November 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 380 reads |
Downer EDI awarded locomotive contracts for SCT
Friday, 4 November 2005
Downer EDI Limited (Downer EDI) today announced that its Rail division, EDI Rail has signed contracts with SCT Logistics (SCT) for the design, supply and maintenance of 11 new locomotives. The value of the contracts is approximately $75 million.
Under the terms of the agreement, EDI Rail will supply 11 mainline AC traction diesel-electric locomotives, and provide maintenance services over a ten year period. The locomotives are scheduled to commence service progressively from the second half of 2007.
Fri November 4th, 2005 | chrisr001/bevans | 3 comments | | 746 reads |
Rail upgrade to reduce Sydney-Melbourne freight time
The Australian Rail Transport Corporation (ARTC) predicts a $560 million upgrade to rail lines between Sydney and Melbourne will reduce truck journeys by 300,000 between the two cities each year.
Sat October 29th, 2005 | bevans | 5 comments | | 778 reads |
Rail upgrade a boon for regional economies
Australian construction company John Holland says yesterday's $560 million deal to upgrade rail freight lines between Sydney and Melbourne will create jobs and boost the economy in regional areas.
Sat October 29th, 2005 | bevans | | 467 reads |
Biggest train company snubs call to cut prices
RAIL freight giant Pacific National is yet to give an undertaking it will pass on any savings it makes after $1.4billion of public money is spent upgrading the main eastern rail route.
Sat October 29th, 2005 | bevans | 4 comments | | 538 reads |
Toll withdraws threat to drop bid
Toll managing director Paul Little has withdrawn a threat to drop his hostile takeover bid for Patrick Corp if the target company continues an "irrational" defence campaign that could erode the value of its assets.
Fri October 28th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 1280 reads |
Rail firm 'gouging' customers
Pacific National's customers have accused the dominant rail freight carrier of using its market power to gouge them.
Thu October 27th, 2005 | DavidB | | 437 reads |
Choo, choo: rail chief bites hand that would have fed him plum PN job
Two days ago David Marchant was one of the men Toll Holdings wanted to run Pacific National. In his submissions to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission on Toll's plan to buy Patrick, Marchant lets us know exactly why he would not have taken the job.
Wed October 26th, 2005 | DavidB | | 516 reads |
Freight giants 'abuse' rail link
The national rail regulator has warned against the $8 billion merger of Australia's two biggest freight companies, saying they have already abused a near-monopoly to lift the cost of carrying goods across the country.
Wed October 26th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 516 reads |
Toll, Patrick tiff not cooling
Transport firm Toll Holdings and takeover target Patrick Corp
have continued a war of words after clashing at a board meeting of
their joint rail venture, Pacific National.
Tue October 25th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 475 reads |
Toll's 'bully' touted for PN
The man at the centre of "threats" that led to the resignation of Pacific National boss Stephen O'Donnell is being touted as the man to replace him.
Mon October 24th, 2005 | DavidB | 537 reads |
Toll man to seek top job
HERE will be more fireworks at today's board meeting of Pacific National, with the man accused of pushing out the former chief executive set to stand for the top job.
Mon October 24th, 2005 | bevans | 385 reads |
BHP Billiton to spend $1.3 bln on iron ore expansion
MELBOURNE, Oct 20 (Reuters) - BHP Billiton Ltd./Plc. (ASX: BHP.ax) BLT.L, the world's biggest miner, said it will spend $1.3 billion to expand iron ore output and rail and port operations to keep up with demand from Asian steel makers.
BHP board's approval comes one day after Rio Tinto Ltd./Plc. (ASX: RIO.ax) RIO.L committed $1.35 billion to its iron ore mine and port operations in Western Australia and Brazil's Caemi Mineracao e Metalurgia S.A. CMET4.SA, an arm of the world's top iron ore miner, CVRD VALE5.SA, set a $760 million iron ore expansion.
Fri October 21st, 2005 | freightgate/bevans | | 512 reads |
NTC Releases draft Rail Safety Reform Bill for comment
20th October 2005
INTRODUCTION
This bulletin summarises major aspects of the proposed national Bill to improve rail safety performance in Australia. The model Bill sets out nationally consistent legal duties and operating requirements on all parties responsible for rail safety and will underpin future national regulations, compliance codes, standards and guidelines.
The reform aims to improve regulatory efficiency and effectiveness through the implementation of a number of regulatory best practices. It does not alter the fundamental approach to rail safety in Australia but rather builds on the existing co-regulatory structure.
The Bill has been developed by the National Transport Commission (NTC) in conjunction with the Rail Legislation Advisory Panel and in consultation with key stakeholders. The model Bill will be submitted to the Australian Transport Council (ATC) for approval in late 2005 following this round of consultation, and consideration of submissions from interested stakeholders.
Fri October 21st, 2005 | chairman/DavidB | 1 comment | 415 reads |
Patrick tactics may force up offer
ANALYSTS believe Patrick Corp's strident rejection of Toll Holdings' hostile takeover bid appears designed to extract a higher offer rather than persuade investors not to accept it.
Thu October 20th, 2005 | markcurtis/DavidB | 1 comment | | 524 reads |
Toll's 'bully' won't budge
TOLL Holdings executive director Mark Rowsthorn has refused to step down from the board of Pacific National, Toll's rail joint venture with Patrick Corp, over claims he threatened and intimidated PN chief executive Stephen O'Donnell.
Tue October 18th, 2005 | markcurtis/DavidB | 2 comments | | 518 reads |
Toll row explodes
A blistering phone message, coupled with an email barrage from a Toll Holdings director, has left the top management of the Toll-Patrick Corp joint rail venture Pacific National in tatters.
Mon October 17th, 2005 | DavidB | | 671 reads |
Toll out to get me, rail chief claims
The chief executive of Pacific National, Stephen O'Donnell, was told he was "f...ed up" and warned to seek legal advice "because we are coming to get you" by a director of his own company, Mark Rowsthorn.
Mon October 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 559 reads |
Toll row explodes
BLISTERING phone message, coupled with an email barrage from a Toll Holdings director, has left the top management of the Toll-Patrick Corp joint rail venture Pacific National in tatters.
Mon October 17th, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | 435 reads |
PN chief exits amid Toll 'threats'
THE chief executive of Pacific National, the rail freight company owned jointly by Patrick Corp and hostile takeover suitor Toll Holdings, has quit amid claims he was threatened and intimidated by Toll directors.
Sun October 16th, 2005 | markcurtis/DavidB | 496 reads |
Patrick, FCL alliance 'destined to fail'
It's the takeover you make when you're not allowed to take over. Patrick Corporation has announced an "alliance" with FCL Interstate Transport, the freight fowarder it has unsuccessfully tried to purchase.
Fri October 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 503 reads |
Patrick looks to future with FCL
Stevedore Patrick Corp will form an alliance with FCL Interstate Transport a month after the competition regulator rejected its takeover bid for the freight forwarder.
Fri October 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 453 reads |
Patrick's play for FCL is far from immaterial to Toll
Patrick Corp's action in entering into an alliance with FCL after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission opposed the acquisition of the road and rail freight forwarder arguably breaches one of the conditions of Toll Holdings's $5 billion takeover bid.
Fri October 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 419 reads |
Patrick and FCL in $32m alliance
Patrick has signed a $32.5 million "alliance" deal with freight forwarding company FCL in what Toll Holdings described as an "uncommercial and desperate attempt" to frustrate Toll's hostile $4.5 billion takeover offer.
Fri October 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 435 reads |
Corrigan intent on exacting high toll
THE latest exchange of hostilities between Toll Holdings and its target over Patrick Corporation's continued interest in acquiring FCL Interstate Transport Services provides another insight into the defence strategy that Patrick's Chris Corrigan is developing.
Last month the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced its opposition to the proposed acquisition of FCL by Patrick, largely because of its belief that it would increase the ability and incentive of the Pacific National Ltd rail joint venture between Toll and Patrick to raise prices and discriminate against independent freight forwarders.
Wed October 12th, 2005 | freightgate/DavidB | 548 reads |
Toll warns of legal action
TOLL Holdings has warned it could take legal action to prevent unwilling takeover target Patrick pursuing a merger with freight forwarder FCL - a deal that has already been knocked back once by the competition regulator.
Toll described Patrick's continued discussions with FCL as a "rogue action" designed specifically to frustrate Toll's hostile $4.6 billion takeover offer.
Mon October 10th, 2005 | freightgate/DavidB | 2 comments | 431 reads |
Switching tracks
RUCKER Mike Almond accepts that the economics of rail can no longer be ignored. His company, Newcastle-based Mountain Industries, runs 22 trucks and sub-contracts about 100 others for its road freight business, which extends from South Australia to Queensland.
Sun October 9th, 2005 | bevans | 2 comments | | 2653 reads |
Rail crossing fixed
MURRAY Bridge drivers need no longer crawl across the Mannum Road railway crossing.
Railway workers were forced to re-do a "routine rail upgrade" at the crossing yesterday, after a bungled job last Monday and Tuesday left the tracks raised too high.
Fri October 7th, 2005 | bevans | | 532 reads |
Toll figures on rail
OLL Holdings and Patrick Corp would generate net earnings of $509 million in the current financial year, according to forecasts made in a bidder's statement filed to the ASX last night.
Tue October 4th, 2005 | bevans | | 473 reads |
Patrick gets court backing in rail dispute
Patrick Corporation has scored a victory in the Victorian
Supreme Court against Toll Holdings that could lead to their rail
joint venture, Pacific National, being unwound.
Tue October 4th, 2005 | bevans | | 650 reads |
Railway heroes with hearts of steel
Dominique Sutton never used to give much thought to trains, but
her latest project has given her new insight. "You don't realise
until you get involved how many people are so passionate about
rail, and how important it is."
Sat October 1st, 2005 | bevans | | 666 reads |
National Railway Heritage Conference
"Thinking rail, lessons from the past, the way of the future" is the motto of this week's National Railway Heritage Conference being held in Tamworth.
Fri September 30th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 501 reads |
Court to decide on Pacific National fate
The Victorian Supreme Court is expected to hand down a decision on Friday or early next week that could affect the future of the Pacific National rail network.
Fri September 30th, 2005 | DavidB | | 554 reads |
Rail fight hits court
VICTORIAN judge has been given details of behind-the-scenes sniping which threatens to break-up the Toll Holdings-Patrick Corp joint rail venture, Pacific National.
Fri September 30th, 2005 | DavidB | 470 reads |
Freight split nears for Patrick and Toll
The assets of Pacific National, the rail freight business owned jointly by Patrick and Toll Holdings, could be split between the warring companies in as little as six weeks following court action aimed at sabotaging Toll's hostile takeover bid for Patrick.
Fri September 30th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 481 reads |
Vic: Train ticket inspectors assaulted
Transit police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which happened after a man was approached by a Connex staff member and asked to produce a ticket about 9.30pm.
Mon September 26th, 2005 | bevans | 518 reads |
PN debate delays Patrick-Toll battle
PATRICK'S court battle against hostile takeover suitor Toll Holdings has been delayed until next week as the companies continue to debate the future of their rail joint venture Pacific National.
Sat September 24th, 2005 | bevans | 503 reads |
Vic: 50 jobs go at rail station
Spencer St bosses plan to axe 50 staff who were hired to help passengers find their way around the station.
Fri September 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 563 reads |
Vic: Shock ads plan for rail crossings
GRAPHIC, drink-driving-style television advertisements could be
used to frighten Victorians into changing their behaviour at
railway level crossings.
Fri September 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 513 reads |
Vic: Make the rail network safe and save lives
The deaths of two teenage girls in less than a year at railway
stations might not have happened if safety standards had been
maintained and the program of separating level crossings had not
been abandoned in the 1970s to create "savings" to help finance
freeways.
Thu September 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | 454 reads |
Court order stops national rail freight strike
Australia's biggest rail freight operator, Pacific National, has obtained orders from the Federal Court stopping a national strike in the industry set down for tomorrow.
Thu September 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | 467 reads |
Vic: Campaigner angry at crossing death
When David Bramwells heard the news of a 14-year-old girl's
death near a level crossing at Geelong this morning, his reaction
was: "I told you so".
Wed September 21st, 2005 | DavidB | 549 reads |
Patrick and Toll in court over rail feud
The feud between transport giants Patrick Corp Ltd and Toll
Holdings Ltd has spilled into the courts as Patrick sought to
resolve a long-running dispute over the pair's rail joint venture
Pacific National (PN).
Tue September 20th, 2005 | DavidB | | 500 reads |
Super rail route study
A nine month study to find an inland or coastal route for a proposed north-south rail corridor between Brisbane and Melbourne will begin this month.
Tue September 20th, 2005 | DavidB | | 597 reads |
FCL calls for policing of rail wagon axle weights
FCL Interstate Transport Services Managing Director, Bill Gibbins, calls on the Federal Government to suspend all spending on Australian rail infrastructure until a policing system can be put in place to detect over-weight wagons
Mon September 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 4 comments | | 566 reads |
Vic: FoI does not apply, says V/Line
V/LINE is trying to hide sensitive documents about Victoria's troubled fast rail project by claiming the part of it that runs trains is not subject to freedom-of-information laws.
Mon September 19th, 2005 | DavidB | | 469 reads |
Dispute hits rail operation
The national rail operation venture between Toll Holdings and the Patrick Corporation is expected to dissolve as Patrick chief Chris Corrigan yesterday revealed an ongoing dispute had placed the project at risk.
Mon September 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 505 reads |
Vic: Teenage girl killed in train accident
A 14-year-old girl has been hit and killed by a train near
Geelong this morning after apparently rushing to catch a train,
halting services to and from Melbourne.
Mon September 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 488 reads |
Corrigan savages Toll on rail deal
PATRICK Corp chief executive Chris Corrigan has accused joint venture partner Toll Holdings of a conflict of interest over their jointly-owned rail business, Pacific National, where key executives remained on the Toll payroll while negotiating deals with the company.
Mon September 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 466 reads |
Vic: Spencer St bridge builder falls into liquidation
THE controversial redevelopment of Spencer Street Railway
Station has claimed another victim with the appointment of a
liquidator to wind up Oak Park Constructions Pty Ltd, which built
several bridges on the site.
Fri September 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 583 reads |
Melbourne-Parkes-Brisbane rail 'Not if, but when'
Approximately 50 people attended this week's transport and logistics forum in Parkes that attracted participants from sea and airfreight councils, the three main NSW ports and the Transport and Logistics Centre.
Fri September 16th, 2005 | DavidB | | 562 reads |
Patrick threatens break-up to derail bid
Patrick Corp is promising to make good on threats to break up Pacific National, its rail joint venture with Toll Holdings, as part of its strategy to fend off a hostile takeover bid by Toll.
Thu September 15th, 2005 | DavidB | 522 reads |
Toll outlines case for Patrick
A bidder's statement to be released by Toll Holdings as early as today is expected to focus on boss Paul Little's track record of successfully integrating transport acquisitions and slashing costs, as it seeks to persuade Patrick shareholders to accept a hostile cash-and-scrip takeover offer.
Wed September 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 462 reads |
NSW: Historic steam train bound for Moss Vale
Five historic steam engines pulling classic carriages will arrive at the Moss Vale Railway Station this Saturday as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of NSW Railways.
Wed September 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 714 reads |
Fare dinkum: mobiles pay for train tickets
Tired of fumbling for change? Forever losing your weekly ticket?
Not for much longer, because soon your mobile phone or wristwatch
could be paying your train and bus fares.
Wed September 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 535 reads |
Vic: Work stress derails train, tram drivers
STRESS and injury claims by Victoria's train and tram drivers
have jumped significantly in the past four years, leading to
millions of dollars in payouts each year.
Wed September 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 485 reads |
Leighton’s John Holland lands an upgrade
Leighton Holdings Limited (LEI) today announced that John Holland Group’s Australian Rail Consortium had been selected as the preferred proponent for one of the subprojects in the Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC) Major Works Program. The program involves the upgrade of the Main South Line from Sydney to Melbourne.
Fri September 9th, 2005 | DavidB | | 617 reads |
Toll sees no ACCC barrier
TOLL Holdings chief executive Paul Little is confident his $4.6 billion bid for Patrick Corp will be upheld by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
Fri September 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 439 reads |
Little still confident of squaring ACCC away
Toll Holdings managing director Paul Little has rejected any
notion his $4.6 billion takeover bid for Patrick Corp is on shaky
ground, despite the Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission's rejection of a much smaller deal casting serious
doubts on his bid.
Fri September 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 423 reads |
Hope springs eternal for FCL
THE competition regulator's decision to block Patrick Corp's acquisition of FCL has left the vendor incredulous - but it still believes a deal may be possible, if Toll's takeover bid is also rejected.
Fri September 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 454 reads |
Patrick rejection not so bad for Toll
The regulator's opposition to Patrick Corp Ltd acquiring a
smaller player in the freight business does not spell an end to
Toll Holdings Ltd $4.6 billion takeover plans for the transport
logistics group.
Thu September 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 457 reads |
Vic: New Year trains likely, sponsor or not
TRANSPORT body Metlink is hunting for a new patron to get
Victorians home on New Year's Eve after banking firm ING Direct
declined to renew its sponsorship this year.
Thu September 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 454 reads |
ACCC could stymie Toll ambitions
THE competition watchdog has ruled against Patrick Corp taking
over freight forwarder FCL Interstate Transport Services, creating
uncertainty about Toll Holdings' $4.6 billion bid for Patrick.
Thu September 8th, 2005 | DavidB | | 428 reads |
Vic: Ten weeks of no Ballarat line trains
Train travellers from anywhere between Melton and Ararat who normally have trains all the way to Melbourne will face delays for a further 10 weeks according to State Opposition Transport spokesman, Terry Mulder.
Wed September 7th, 2005 | DavidB | 505 reads |
Vic: Trains off the rails
WIMMERA residents could face a further 10 weeks without a train service from Ballarat to Melbourne.
Wed September 7th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 520 reads |
Showdown on Pacific National looms
Chris Corrigan has fired another shot across Toll Holdings bows by threatening to force company chief Paul Little to a face-to-face meeting.
Tue September 6th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 556 reads |
Patrick signals rail deal break-up
PATRICK Corp has raised the prospect of breaking up its rail joint venture with Toll Holdings, Pacific National, if they cannot resolve a dispute over Toll's use of PN services in Queensland.
Tue September 6th, 2005 | DavidB | 461 reads |
Patrick pulls the trigger on rail dispute
Transport companies Patrick Corp and Toll Holdings continued to
throw punches in their takeover fight yesterday as co-operation
over their joint-venture national rail operation looked
increasingly fragile.
Tue September 6th, 2005 | DavidB | 448 reads |
NSW: Better early than never
Few commuters expect a train to be on time on the notoriously
late East Hills line, let alone get them home early. But last night
the unexpected happened on that troubled evening peak service from
the city.
Tue September 6th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 481 reads |
NSW: New train timetable passes first peak hour test
The new Cityrail train timetable appears to have passed its first peak hour test with few hiccups in Sydney this morning but the Government faces its biggest hurdle yet, with this afternoon's peak services.
Mon September 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 431 reads |
NSW: No rationale for rail fair increase
As if the irony of slower trains and a reduced level of service being introduced to make Sydney's train network more efficient is not ridiculous enough, now comes the CityRail warning of a future fare increase.
Mon September 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 434 reads |
NSW: Fares could rise
Rail ommuters face a double blow today – potential chaos with the introduction of a new timetable and the prospect of a fare increase if it succeeds.
Mon September 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 426 reads |
NSW: Rail timetable no transport of delight
Commuters need to forget the glory days of the Sydney Olympics
and accept that the trains will never run as smoothly as they did
for several weeks in 2000, says the Transport Minister, John
Watkins.
Mon September 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 511 reads |
Vic: Back on the buses for weeks
Ballarat commuters will again be forced onto buses with the Melbourne railway line likely to be closed for more than two months.
Fri September 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | | 571 reads |
V/Line hits out at leak
The release of unconfirmed train line closures has led V/Line to accuse Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder of confusing passengers.
Fri September 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 638 reads |
Corrigan fires Toll rail salvo
Tension between Patrick Corporation and its unwelcome suitor, Toll Holdings, has spilled into the boardroom of their joint venture, Pacific National, with Chris Corrigan calling for a board investigation of a deal between the rail freight company and Toll's Queensland subsidiary.
Fri September 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 521 reads |
Patrick accuses Toll of rail rort
The $4.6 billion battle for Patrick Corp turned poisonous yesterday with explosive allegations that the Toll-Patrick joint venture Pacific National was short-changed of $510 million in future revenue.
Fri September 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 609 reads |
Vic: $10bn tunnel plan to beat city gridlock
ONE of the most ambitious infrastructure projects ever proposed
in Victoria — a $10 billion road and rail tunnel linking
Doncaster in the east with Deer Park in the west — will be
presented to Melbourne City Council next week.
Wed August 31st, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 680 reads |
Little 'very confident' of success
Toll Holdings Managing Director Paul Little says he is "very confident" about winning approval from shareholders and regulators to win control of Patrick Corporation.
Tue August 30th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 539 reads |
NSW: Second CityRail train key stolen
A second CityRail worker has had his train keys stolen, less than 24 hours after a driver was robbed of a set of the all-purpose keys, which give access to every train in Sydney.
Tue August 30th, 2005 | DavidB | 626 reads |
Plastic waste fuels Axiom diesel plan
HE 6.9 billion shopping bags thrown out by Australian consumers annually could soon be helping to fuel the nation's truck and locomotive fleet, if Axiom Energy has its way.
Mon August 29th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 1553 reads |
NSW: Theft exposes rail security flaw
The theft of a train driver's keys early on Sunday morning has exposed a flaw in rail security in Sydney, as the keys can not only open all trains on the network but also start them.
Mon August 29th, 2005 | DavidB | 617 reads |
NSW: Train driver robbed of keys
Masked men wielding a tree branch have robbed a female train driver of the keys to her train on Sydney's North Shore.
Sun August 28th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 742 reads |
We will not be taken, Patrick ally declares
A key transport company has thrown down the gauntlet to Toll Holdings and refused to be taken over as part of Toll's $4.6 billion bid for Patrick Corporation.
Fri August 26th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 601 reads |
Freight expectations a lure for Toll
If you get to control the rail network, Paul Little may be thinking, you eventually get a firm grip on the nation's long-distance freight.
Thu August 25th, 2005 | DavidB | 638 reads |
Vic: Contractor error stops Melbourne trains
Trains are still not running between Dandenong and Packenham in Melbourne's south-east, after a contractor accidentally cut signalling cables on the line around 8am AEST.
Wed August 24th, 2005 | DavidB | 527 reads |
NSW: 'Patronising' to commuters
The Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson has challenged the Minister for Transport John Watkins to undertake a return CityRail daytime rail trip to Goulburn after September 4 whilst sitting in a wheelchair.
Wed August 24th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 554 reads |
Toll unveils $4.6b bid for Patrick
Road and rail freight group Toll Holdings, putting an end to intense market speculation, announced on Monday a $4.6 billion hostile scrip and cash takeover bid for rival Patrick Corporation.
Mon August 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 577 reads |
Vic: On the right track?
When it comes to access to trains, trams and buses in
Melbourne, explains Dan Silkstone, the gap between the haves and
the have-nots can be wide.
Mon August 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | | 639 reads |
COAG urged to increase infrastructure audits
The Business Council of Australia has called for an assessment of Australia's key infrastructure every two years. The council says infrastructure like ports, roads and rail are essential to the Australian economy and future prosperity.
Sun August 21st, 2005 | DavidB | 424 reads |
NSW: Rail system to get $16m upgrade
The New South Wales Government says it is spending more than $16 million on upgrading rail infrastructure over the next two weeks.
Sat August 20th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 675 reads |
NSW: CityRail by limo
HE arrived in a chauffeur-driven car to speak to commuters at a suburban station about controversial changes in the new train timetable. But instead of hearing from commuters, Transport Minister John Watkins used his visit to St Marys station yesterday as a cheap photo opportunity, happily posing with the station master and ignoring the scores of commuters waiting for their trains.
Sat August 20th, 2005 | DavidB | | 571 reads |
NSW: MPs protest train service axing
Burrinjuck MP Katrina Hodgkinson and Shadow Minister for Transport Peter Debnam had no trouble finding disgruntled CityRail passengers when they travelled by train from Sydney to Goulburn yesterday to highlight the effect of timetable changes.
Fri August 19th, 2005 | DavidB | | 560 reads |
NSW: Passengers railroaded
Thousands of passengers have abandoned trains, their impatience
with the shoddy service amounting to six million fewer trips on
CityRail in the past year.
Thu August 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 446 reads |
NSW: Rail relies on buses
A HIRED fleet of buses will be on call around the clock when trains begin running to a new timetable next month.
Thu August 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 519 reads |
NSW: MPs to protest train axings
Burrinjuck MP Katrina Hodgkinson will join Shadow Transport Minister Peter Debnam on the ill-fated 12.02pm Sydney to Goulburn train tomorrow to highlight how the new CityRail timetable will adversely affect local commuters.
Wed August 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 532 reads |
NSW: Group fights for rail bridge roadworks
A delegation from the Coonamble and Warrumbungle shire councils will meet NSW Transport Minister John Watkins today to discuss roadworks under a local railway line.
Tue August 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 533 reads |
United Group stands on solid result
Infrastructure services company United Group has flagged continued strong profit growth this year as it sets about integrating its new transport and property services acquisitions.
Tue August 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 436 reads |
Vic: Rail heritage grant awarded
Vital links with the past will be preserved with a grant from the State Government to back an Ararat Railway Heritage Association project.
Tue August 16th, 2005 | DavidB | | 502 reads |
Pacific National staff strike accross the nation
Freight rail operator Pacific National's 2200-strong workforce will today strike in support of job security guarantees, conditions of employment and the right to collective bargain together.
Fri August 12th, 2005 | DavidB | | 835 reads |
Submissions back inland rail plan
The man behind an inland freight rail link between Melbourne and Darwin via New England says submissions to a federal parliamentary inquiry are backing the concept.
Fri August 12th, 2005 | DavidB | | 564 reads |
Freight rail workers to strike
Freight deliveries will be disrupted around Australia on Friday as more than 2,000 rail workers strike over employment conditions and a lack of job security.
Fri August 12th, 2005 | DavidB | | 765 reads |
NSW: Vision supports rail hub
Delegates at the Vision New England Summit supported the establishment of Glen Innes as a regional rail freight hub in any development of the New England rail line connection with Southern Queensland.
Thu August 11th, 2005 | DavidB | | 561 reads |
NSW: Rail upgrade briefing
The first round of local government briefings on the proposed $100 million upgrade of the main Northern Rail Line between Maitland and the Queensland border begins this week.
Wed August 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 562 reads |
NSW: Refreshing memories of rail
A wander round Central Station in Sydney is unlikely to tickle
the palate of even the hungriest traveller. The choice is between a
burger joint or a handful of nondescript coffee shops serving soggy
sandwiches and muffins.
Wed August 10th, 2005 | DavidB | | 449 reads |
NSW: We can cope with attack on train: fire chief
The head of NSW's fire service has sought to reassure the public
that his force could cope with a terrorist attack on an underground
train, following expressions of doubt from one of his right-hand
men.
Wed August 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 427 reads |
Top End rail link
A RAIL link from WA to Queensland has been proposed to link the Top End's mines.
Mon August 8th, 2005 | DavidB | | 550 reads |
Vic: Chemical 'risk' on railways
Dangerous and toxic chemicals are being transported on Melbourne's suburban passenger rail network, creating a risk of public exposure if there is an accident or terrorist attack, a rail union has warned.
Fri August 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 5 comments | | 765 reads |
NSW: Premier has faith in new timetable
The Premier, Morris Iemma, has guaranteed that a revised train timetable would dramatically improve "disappointing" service standards, but repeatedly declined to set a deadline or give a benchmark by which commuters could judge its effectiveness.
Fri August 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 460 reads |
Vic: Calls to revamp 'shabby' Richmond Station
The Melbourne City Council and Melbourne Cricket Ground are urging the State Government to redevelop Richmond railway station to provide better access to the MCG, amid claims the station will be an eyesore during the Commonwealth Games.
Thu August 4th, 2005 | SEMartin/DavidB | 1 comment | 569 reads |
Vic: Go-slow on train camera
Public transport passengers would be under constant surveillance for the first time under a new security camera system being considered.
Wed August 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 547 reads |
NSW: Wattle Rails on track
Cootamundra is officially celebrating Wattle Time and this year the festivities are going to be bigger and better than ever with the inclusion of Wattle Rails, celebrating 150 years of rail in NSW.
Wed August 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 626 reads |
NSW: New England rail means business
Representatives from the Glen Innes Severn Council will reiterate the importance of a rail link being re-established through the New England at the New England Local Government Group meeting at Guyra on Monday.
Thu July 28th, 2005 | DavidB | | 623 reads |
NSW: Trains remain party's biggest hurdle
The Labor Party's biggest challenge in the 20 months before the 2007 election is as easy to identify as it is complex to fix: getting the trains to run on time, operating safely and reliably.
Thu July 28th, 2005 | DavidB | 481 reads |
Museum Accreditation achieved by Daylesford Spa Country Railway
In a first for a railway based tourism attraction, the heritage regional attraction called the Daylesford Spa Country Railway has become an accredited museum in the Museum Accreditation Program or MAP. MAP Accreditation recognises that the railway is committed to, is achieving, maintaining and improving upon high professional standards within both the museum and tourism industries.
Thu July 28th, 2005 | VRfan/DavidB | 467 reads |
NSW: No train luck
It seems the Blue Mountains Commuters and Transport Users Association (BMCTUA) has had little luck in their campaign to change the new train timetable.
Wed July 27th, 2005 | DavidB | 501 reads |
NSW: Hunter rail line betrayal
Ripping out the rail line into the Newcastle CBD would be a "complete betrayal" of the Hunter community, Opposition spokesman for transport services Peter Debnam said yesterday.
Wed July 27th, 2005 | DavidB | | 531 reads |
Vic: Rail service inertia anger
Mayors are seething and councillors are unimpressed over the State Government's reluctance to improve the region's train services.
Wed July 27th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 553 reads |
NSW: New management for railway heritage buildings
The Lithgow local government area has been bequeathed a unique heritage legacy from its place in the expansion of the railway beyond the Blue Mountains; the district boasts a concentration of some of the finest old railway buildings to be found anywhere in the State.
Thu July 21st, 2005 | DavidB | | 492 reads |
NSW: Glen Innes has its say on inland rail
Glen Innes Severn Council was among 40 shires across three states that have expressed views of where the Australian Inland Rail Expressway (AIRE) will be built in a survey conducted by the Australian Transport and Energy Corridor Ltd (ATEC).
Thu July 21st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 563 reads |
NSW: $2m freight site project on track
Dubbo businessman Roger Fletcher's $2 million road/rail freight terminal has gained initial council approval, on the proviso he completes six pages of conditions council has attached to it.
Wed July 20th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 516 reads |
Truss to build on Anderson's rail 'vision'
New federal Transport Minister Warren Truss has promised an end to inefficient rail safety regulation and a more strategic approach to grain line infrastructure in a speech to the Australian Rail Summit in Sydney yesterday.
Tue July 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 499 reads |
Sydney transport 'vulnerable to attack'
Australia's major transport networks will always be vulnerable
to terrorist attacks like the London bombings, federal Transport
Minister Warren Truss says.
Mon July 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 439 reads |
Vic: Smartcard bids leaked
SECRET documents revealing the exact details of rival bids for Victoria's $500 million smartcard tender have been leaked.
Thu July 14th, 2005 | TA 2000/DavidB | | 501 reads |
NSW: A long standing battle is coming to an end
A long standing battle to secure the future of a local railway line has finally come to an end with the State Government's decision to fund the upgrade of the Greenethorpe to Koorawatha railway line.
Wed July 13th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 638 reads |
NSW: Rail Veteran Turns 80
There was a birthday cake and a rousing rendition of 'Happy Birthday' when the Lachlan Valley Railway's Railmotor No.12 celebrated its 80th birthday last weekend.
Wed July 13th, 2005 | DavidB | 490 reads |
Rail safety expert says time to go
A NSW rail safety expert, Kent Donaldson, has resigned unexpectedly with more than three years left on his contract amid Opposition claims he was fed up with the State Government's approach to safety.
Wed July 13th, 2005 | bevans | 436 reads |
Vic:Smartcards for Vic commuters
A CONSORTIUM led by US smartcard vendor Keane Corporation has trumped Hong Kong's MTR to win a $494 million smartcard rollout for Victoria's bus, train and tram network.
Wed July 13th, 2005 | TA 2000/bevans | 3 comments | | 489 reads |
Vic: Man falls out wrong train exit
A train passenger who accidentally exited a carriage from the wrong side at Camperdown Railway Station and fell to the railway tracks was found by passers-by after the train continued on its journey.
Mon July 11th, 2005 | DavidB | 5 comments | | 661 reads |
Rail funding does little to secure future: Nationals
The National Party has joined the debate on funding for New South Wales grain rail lines, saying the Government's $25 million investment is appallingly inadequate and ignore the findings of a Government audit that stated $168 million was required to bring the lines up to scratch.
Mon July 11th, 2005 | DavidB | 466 reads |
XR558 Commissioning
XR558 is drawing close to the completion of it's commissioning phase. The qualification of the engine and electrical systems once complete will see the Locomotive on it's test run.
Mon July 11th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 748 reads |
Vic: Union wants staff back on stations
Melbourne's rail union has launched a campaign to restore staff
to every station in the city, warning that staff levels leave the
rail network vulnerable to a London-style attack.
Mon July 11th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 470 reads |
Vic: Safety lack slammed
Hundreds of Connex staff took industrial action late yesterday,
claiming that a lack of appropriate training meant they were unable
to safely perform emergency evacuations such as those required
after the London Underground attacks.
Sun July 10th, 2005 | bevans | | 489 reads |
Vic: Spencer Street a 'world-class mess'
Commuters will be exposed to the rain and heat at the new
Spencer Street Station redevelopment because of design cutbacks,
according to the State Opposition.
Sun July 10th, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | | 570 reads |
Labor urges Govt to step up rail security
The Federal Opposition says rail commuters in Australia's capital cities are no safer now than they were before the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States.
Sun July 10th, 2005 | bevans | 437 reads |
Rethink on rail security
ARMED terror police and sniffer dogs would patrol trains across Australia and passengers would be put through random bag checks under a security crackdown to be considered by the Federal Government.
Sun July 10th, 2005 | TA 2000/bevans | 1 comment | 433 reads |
Govt unveils $100m rail boost
Federal Transport Minister John Anderson has used his second last day on the frontbench to announce a further $100 million for the north-to-south rail network between Melbourne and Brisbane.
Tue July 5th, 2005 | DavidB | | 499 reads |
Rail tragedy: race to stop Zig Zag train fails
A 21-year-old steam train enthusiast, killed after a rock ledge collapsed and threw him onto tracks before his friend could stop a train, has been named as Brian Rieseberg.
Note: As the investigation is ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment on this item.
Tue July 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 931 reads |
NSW: Rail services safe, but jobs are at risk
XPT passenger rail services to country New South Wales are not under threat and will not be replaced by buses, State Transport Minister John Watkins said at the weekend.
Tue July 5th, 2005 | DavidB | | 456 reads |
NSW: Tourist train kills man on track
A man has died after falling onto the tracks and being hit by a train at a tourist railway in the Blue Mountains.
Note: As the investigation is ongoing, it is not appropriate to comment on this item.
Tue July 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 479 reads |
All aboard the supply train
The Australia Logistics Council’s 10th meeting in Brisbane came at a busy time in our industry. Members, including Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson, and representatives from Pacific National, Linfox, Qantas, and Queensland Rail met to discuss progress against the ALC’s ten point plan to avert the looming crisis in logistics where rapidly increasing demand is threatening to outstrip the capacity of the logistics system and to cement their involvement with AusLink.
Mon July 4th, 2005 | DavidB | | 445 reads |
Vic: $170,000 PR stunt
A party celebrating two of the Bracks Government's most troubled and costly major projects has left taxpayers with a six-figure bill.
Mon July 4th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 715 reads |
Rail celebrations launched
NEW South Wales Transport Minister John Watkins today launched celebrations for the 150th anniversary of NSW rail by unveiling the refurbished Locomotive No.1 at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum.
Mon July 4th, 2005 | DavidB | 432 reads |
Vic: Ballarat warned of waste transport possibility
The argument over a toxic waste dump may not be over in the Ballarat region. The Save the Foodbowl Alliance, which is fighting the planned location of a toxic dump near Mildura, says the toxic waste could be transported from Melbourne by rail via Ballarat.
Sat July 2nd, 2005 | TA 2000/DavidB | 2 comments | | 495 reads |
ARTC ups investment ante
Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC) has commenced a $1.3 billion upgrade of the North South rail network over the next three to four years which includes $421.6 million on the Main North Line from Sydney to Brisbane.
Fri July 1st, 2005 | DavidB | | 537 reads |
Vic: Study backs infrastructure concerns
Claims by farmer groups and politicians that the Wimmera-Mallee's irrigation infrastructure is inadequate have been backed up by a new study by engineers. Restriction of freight train speeds on the Mildura line to as low as 20 kilometres an hour have been criticised by local MPs, and Engineers Australia's Tim Gosbell says the push for rail standardisation must succeed.
Wed June 29th, 2005 | DavidB | | 506 reads |
Vic: MetLink to shame train and tram fare evaders
If you are reading this on a train or tram and you do not have a
ticket, start blushing. Melbourne's public transport operators
yesterday announced that they have fare evaders in their sights and
shame will be their weapon of choice.
Wed June 29th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 631 reads |
Vic: State roads, rail, ports 'barely adequate'
A key industry lobby group has called for a dramatic increase in
spending on Victoria's roads, railways, gas, water, electricity and
ports after a report said the state's infrastructure was barely
adequate.
Wed June 29th, 2005 | DavidB | | 454 reads |
Vic: Rail revamp too quick to push speed
Victoria's most senior public transport bureaucrat has admitted the $1.3 billion regional rail overhaul was not properly sold to the public.
Tue June 28th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 622 reads |
Rail link plan for ore miners
Shane Condon has come up with an idea, and it's a big one. If
some of the world's biggest companies and the federal and state
governments buy into it, it could transform Australia's resources
industry.
Tue June 28th, 2005 | DavidB | 5 comments | | 1136 reads |
Peak-hour delays expected
MELBOURNE rail commuters can expect lengthy delays and cancellations tonight after trains stopped for two hours today.
Mon June 27th, 2005 | TA 2000/bevans | 475 reads |
Vic: Train network at a standstill
Melbourne's train network has come to a halt after staff were forced to evacuate the central control centre this morning.
All trains in the city loop have stopped, while trains heading into the city have been been forced to wait at outer-CBD stations such a Clifton Hill, Caulfield, Burnley and North Melbourne.
The evacuation occurred about 11.40am.
Mon June 27th, 2005 | freightgate/DavidB | 2 comments | | 494 reads |
Vic: The waiting game at Spencer St
At Spencer Street Station in a piece of cute symbolism, even the escalator down to the platform from the Bourke Street foot bridge had stopped.
Commuters milled chaotically or sat in carriages and waited. On platform six, Shirley Pears sat with her crossword, waiting in a stationary carriage for more than 30 minutes, all ready to return home from a doctor's appointment.
Mon June 27th, 2005 | freightgate/DavidB | | 524 reads |
Cities on fast track
Victorian Steve Bracks has thrown his support behind a Japanese-style bullet train to run between Melbourne and Sydney.
Mon June 27th, 2005 | DavidB | 4 comments | 583 reads |
NSW: Bundanoon residents not forgotten
Bundanoon residents have called on Wingecarribee Shire Council to support their campaign to save rail services to the southern villages.
Mon June 27th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 558 reads |
NSW: Fischer backs Oberon rail freight
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister, one-time Leader of the federal National Party and now head of Tourism Australia Tim Fischer has criticised the State Government's failure to re-commission the Tarana-Oberon rail link.
Sat June 25th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 624 reads |
NSW: Telstra signs rail communications deal
Telstra Corp Ltd will provide a new integrated communications
system for Australian Rail Track Corp (ATRC) covering the
interstate rail network and the Hunter Valley in New South
Wales.
Fri June 24th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 607 reads |
Vic: Do rail job now and save
Relocating the railway from Wodonga in the short-term could create savings on the cost of the internal freeway, the member for Benambra said yesterday.
Wed June 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 612 reads |
NSW: We're proud to be greatly extending our lack of service
In infrastructure news, NSW Premier Bob Carr has announced his Government will spend $8 billion on Sydney's biggest rail expansion in 75 years. The expansion will extend the CityRail network to Sydney's outer north-west as far as Vineyard, and south-west to Leppington and, eventually, Bringelly.
Commuters from Sydney's mortgage belt welcomed the news, which means that within a decade they will be able to stand on empty platforms waiting for non-existent trains just like those within the existing CityRail network.
Mon June 20th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 682 reads |
Keeping freight on the rails
Some players are doing all they can to improve rail's
share of freight, but more is required to keep pace, writes Martin
Feil.
Sat June 18th, 2005 | bevans | 2 comments | | 688 reads |
NSW: Slower and lighter grain trains plan
Imagine, instead of using the 1500-tonne grain trains now considered efficient for branch line work in the wheat belt, a special train of just 600 tonnes gross weight, crawling along at 20 to 30 kilometres an hour.
Fri June 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 5 comments | 748 reads |
NSW: $7m upgrade for Town Hall station
Retail outlets at Sydney's Town Hall railway station will soon be closed down as part of a $7 million preliminary upgrade announced by the NSW government today.
Fri June 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 662 reads |
Vic: Council upset over delayed rail line meeting
Wodonga City Council says the community feels let down by the Victoria Transport Minister's decision to defer a meeting to discuss moving the railway line out of the city centre.
Wed June 15th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 600 reads |
Vic: Rail trail school link backed
TOWONG council has backed a suggestion to make the former Colac Colac primary school an indirect link to the High Country Rail Trail.
Corryong College controls the old school and in April its principal, Robert Lappin, wrote to the council seeking to explore the possibility of using the site to “celebrate and promote the past history of education in the Corryong District”.
The rail trail under development travels from Wodonga to Cudgewa.
http://www.bordermail.com.au/newsflow/pageitem?page_id=981656
Mon June 13th, 2005 | bevans | 524 reads |
Patrick rubbishes ACCC concerns
Patrick Corp has responded to the ACCC's statement of issues regarding its proposed acquisition of FCL. The company says it is not in Patrick's or FCL's interests to discriminate against other freight forwarders, which could force containers onto road or to another rail operator.
Fri June 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 598 reads |
Patrick-FCL deal riles regulator
Patrick Corp's plan to buy freight-forwarding company FCL Interstate Transport Services might allow it to put competing freight firms out of business, the competition regulator warned yesterday.
Fri June 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 629 reads |
NSW: $8bn spend on city rail line
The New South Wales Government would spend $8 billion on a new train line through Sydney in the biggest expansion of the rail network in 30 years, Premier Bob Carr said today.
Thu June 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 4 comments | | 1132 reads |
NSW: Carr announces rail expansion plan
New South Wales Premier Bob Carr says the State Government is embarking on the biggest expansion of the rail network in 30 years by building a new rail line from Sydney's north-west to south-west.
Thu June 9th, 2005 | DavidB | | 686 reads |
NSW: Freight plan is off the rails
It's not actually that hard, freight. A little complicated,
sure, but nothing as difficult as, say, moving molecules around the
human body. Not even close.
Thu June 9th, 2005 | DavidB | | 624 reads |
NSW: Railing against the trucks that eat Sydney
It is not our worsening addiction to cars that will further clog
already packed bitumen arteries. The truck industry - obliged to
take greater volumes of freight - will be responsible for most of
the problem. Freight haulers have no other option at the moment
than to go by road because of the poor rail network.
Thu June 9th, 2005 | DavidB | | 559 reads |
NSW: Metro line shifting to the North Shore
Government rail planners have been forced to rethink the vital
new rail line through Sydney's CBD, moving it further east than was
originally planned.
Thu June 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 653 reads |
NSW: Revealed: the harbour tunnel to ease rail crisis
A secret report reveals the State Government is planning to build a rail tunnel under Sydney Harbour and a new line under the city to ease congestion on the increasingly gridlocked CityRail network.
Thu June 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 571 reads |
Rail upgrades complete within four years, say ARTC
Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) CEO David Marchant recently briefed potential alliance partners in Sydney on the program to revitalise the Eastern Seaboard rail network.
Wed June 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 556 reads |
NSW: 'No cheat sheets' for train drivers
RAILCORP has rejected claims that learner train drivers have been given "cheat sheets" before sitting exams they must pass to work on Sydney's rail network.
Wed June 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 437 reads |
New rail regime welcome
AIL operators have welcomed a decision to standardise Australia's archaic rail safety regime, which requires train operators to comply with a plethora of sometimes contradictory regulations, following an agreement between state and territory transport ministers.
Tue June 7th, 2005 | bevans | 463 reads |
Give rail and bus users a break, says NSW
Tax concessions for commuters would ease the gridlock in Sydney more effectively than a congestion charge like the one that had slashed car dependency in London, the Transport Minister, John Watkins, said yesterday.
Tue June 7th, 2005 | bevans | | 418 reads |
Union blames rail delays on Connex
A dispute over a trainee signaller who was late for work caused
tens of thousands of city commuters to suffer the same fate
yesterday when rail operator Connex was hit by a snap strike.
Tue June 7th, 2005 | bevans | 446 reads |
Rail victim awarded $185,000
When it comes to assessing a teenager's recklessness in a court
case, there is a yawning gap between impulsiveness and deliberate
thrillseeking.
Sat June 4th, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | | 630 reads |
New rail regime welcome
Rail operators have welcomed a decision to standardise Australia's archaic rail safety regime, which requires train operators to comply with a plethora of sometimes contradictory regulations, following an agreement between state and territory transport ministers.
Sat June 4th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 519 reads |
United goes to the head of the train
United Group has bought the Australian and New Zealand
engineering assets of French conglomerate Alstom for $267.5
million, four months after it confirmed it was in talks to buy the
business.
Fri June 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | | 474 reads |
NSW: Car, train collision fatal
A level crossing accident between a vehicle and a train claimed the life of a 67-year-old Forbes man on Tuesday afternoon.
Thu June 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | 530 reads |
Union flags legal action in EDI Rail dispute
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says it intends to take EDI Rail in Maryborough in south-east Queensland to the Federal Court over a protracted industrial dispute.
Thu June 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | 488 reads |
NSW: Railway cure could have crippling side effects
The State Government's $1 billion plan to untangle the CityRail
network does not go far enough and could in fact worsen problems in
some areas, according to a secret study conducted for rail
officials.
Wed June 1st, 2005 | DavidB | 518 reads |
NSW: The buried report that predicted transport disarray
Four years ago the state's top rail official, Ron Christie,
warned that Sydney's rail network faced "strangulation" and
"operational paralysis" because of a lack of essential maintenance
and infrastructure spending in recent years.
Wed June 1st, 2005 | DavidB | 519 reads |
NSW: World city demands a transport system that befits its status
Sydney's public transport is in crisis. CityRail's on-time
running plunged to 49 per cent in early 2004, and patronage is down
by 4 per cent since 2001. Trains are 25 per cent slower than in
Perth, and will be even slower with the new September
timetable.
Wed June 1st, 2005 | DavidB | | 536 reads |
Vic: Compo for stranded commuters
MELBOURNE public transport users can expect better service from the train and tram networks from July 1, when tougher compensation charters start.
Tue May 31st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 500 reads |
NSW: Railway lifeline dead on arrival
The space needed to build a vital underground rail line through
Sydney's CBD is poorly protected, obstructed by buildings and may
end up costing the State Government a premium.
Tue May 31st, 2005 | DavidB | | 540 reads |
NSW: Inaction causes cost blow-out
The cost of acquiring land to build future railway lines to
Sydney's burgeoning north-west and south-west sectors doubled or
tripled in only two or three years, despite repeated calls from
officials for sites to be bought early.
Tue May 31st, 2005 | DavidB | | 465 reads |
Vic: Maintenance problems behind delays
The State Government is urging Connex to renegotiate its
contract with train manufacturer Siemens because maintenance
problems with Melbourne's newest train fleet are causing delays and
cancellations.
Tue May 31st, 2005 | DavidB | 499 reads |
Infrastructure's future 'shaky'
The Howard Government will have to change the way it funds the states and adopt a more co-operative approach with the Labor premiers to tackle the nation's bottlenecks in road, rail, ports and electricity.
Mon May 30th, 2005 | DavidB | 460 reads |
NSW: Once debt-ridden, now run down
Fifty years ago the American economist John Kenneth Galbraith
observed a paradox in advanced economies - how private wealth grows
alongside public squalor. Frustrated commuters might think he was
writing about Sydney in 2005. Despite unprecedented private riches,
much of the city's public infrastructure is deteriorating.
Mon May 30th, 2005 | DavidB | | 516 reads |
Anger at Connex email
MELBOURNE transport operator Connex has angered customers by revealing the email addresses of 350 subscribers in a promotional newsletter.
Sat May 28th, 2005 | TA 2000/bevans | 638 reads |
Vic: Opposition raise concern over rail access costs
The Transport Legislation (Further Amendment) Bill passed its second reading in the Legislative Council this week. It sets out to implement a third-party access regime, which requires track owner Pacific National (PN) to provide the Essential Services Commission (ESC) with standard terms and conditions of access, including price.
Fri May 27th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 463 reads |
NSW: Case re-stated for New England rail
NEARBY industry should not be the sole determining factor in the establishment of an interstate rail freight route through the New England or Gwydir areas, according to the Member for New England Tony Windsor.
Thu May 26th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 607 reads |
NSW: New powers follow Waterfall probe
THE New South Wales Government has strengthened the powers of the state's transport regulator to ensure a safer and more reliable rail system.
Thu May 26th, 2005 | DavidB | | 539 reads |
Vic: Passengers evacuated from train
ABOUT 100 people have been evacuated from a passenger train after it smashed into a car, causing a gas leak, north of Melbourne.
Thu May 26th, 2005 | Loco | | 515 reads |
NSW: More rail carriages
The train journey to Sydney will be more comfortable after funding in yesterday's State Budget for new South Coast train carriages.
Wed May 25th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 842 reads |
Gun threat halts Indian Pacific
Passengers were locked on a train for more than an hour yesterday as police negotiated with a man who said he was armed with a gun.
Wed May 25th, 2005 | DavidB | | 571 reads |
NSW: Minister guarantees rail line future
The State Transport Minister, John Watkins, has given the Young Shire Council an assurance there are no plans to close the Greenthorpe to Koorawatha rail line.
Tue May 24th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 551 reads |
Push to reawaken city's sleeping beauty
One of Melbourne's most enduring problems is about to be tackled by some of its most influential people. Flinders Street Station is now the target of the powerful Committee for Melbourne - a private body of prominent corporate, scientific and academic figures instrumental in such projects as City Link and Docklands.
Mon May 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | | 586 reads |
Patrick punts on ports, rail
Shares in Chris Corrigan's Patrick Corp rallied to their biggest gain for 2 1/2 years yesterday, as the diversified transport group outlined plans for "massive" investments in its port and rail infrastructure to take advantage of the export boom.
Fri May 20th, 2005 | DavidB | | 501 reads |
NSW: $1.4bn rail link trapped in limbo
Three years after its preferred route was announced, the State Government is going back to the drawing board on the $1.4 billion northwest rail link.
Fri May 20th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 1024 reads |
Patrick to invest heavily in port, rail
Australia's biggest port cargo handler Patrick Corp Ltd will
continue to heavily invest in the expansion of its ports and rail
businesses, earmarking an initial $425 million for development.
Fri May 20th, 2005 | DavidB | | 484 reads |
Vic: Report highlights poor train service
TRAIN commuters on the Cranbourne line have been hit hard by delayed trains, figures released last week suggest.
Department of Infrastructure figures showed more than 15 per cent of Cranbourne line trains were late in April, more than any other metropolitan train line in Melbourne.
Cranbourne resident Irene Zentay, 57, said the delays were affecting her family and her daughter was sometimes half an hour to an hour late for work in the mornings, time she had to make up for at night.
Fri May 20th, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | | 578 reads |
NSW: $1.4bn rail link trapped in limbo
THREE years after its preferred route was announced, the State Government is going back to the drawing board on the $1.4 billion northwest rail link.
Fri May 20th, 2005 | bevans | 557 reads |
Patrick to keep investing in ports, rail
Transport company Patrick will continue to invest heavily in
expanding its ports and rail businesses and does not plan to change
the business model at budget airline Virgin Blue.
Thu May 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 528 reads |
NSW: 'Snub' puts rail plans in doubt
A $2 million rail infrastructure project planned for Dubbo could be lost because roads minister Michael Costa won't give Dubbo businessman Roger Fletcher five minutes of his time.
Thu May 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 537 reads |
NSW: Melbourne to Brisbane rail line through Guyra?
Independent Member for New England, Tony Windsor met with the New England Local Government Group in Armidale this week to discuss the proposed Inland Rail route from Melbourne to Brisbane and beyond with a view to putting the New England route up as a viable possibility.
Thu May 19th, 2005 | DavidB | | 495 reads |
Region battles over rail bragging rights
NEW England and the north-west are braced for a long battle as each draws up plans for bragging rights for the proposed inland rail route through northern NSW.
Thu May 19th, 2005 | bevans | | 480 reads |
Vic: New bid for rail tower
A big to build a $100 million tower of flats on the old Jolimont railyards site may finally win approval.
Tue May 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 554 reads |
EDI Rail workers down tools in industrial row
The Industrial Relations Commission has suggested a rail manufacturer in Maryborough and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union try to resolve an industrial dispute on their own.
Tue May 17th, 2005 | DavidB | | 518 reads |
NSW: Windsor sees benefits in rail line plan
A proposal to consider the New England rail line through Armidale, Glen Innes and Tenterfield as part of a new national rail transport corridor has won the support of local federal MP Tony Windsor.
Tue May 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 487 reads |
Vic: Batchelor signed on for rail bypass
While Victorian Transport Minister Peter Batchelor claims the Wodonga rail relocation is a Wodonga council problem, documents that he signed in August, 2001, clearly suggest otherwise.
Mon May 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 4 comments | | 1032 reads |
Cattle company calls for national rail network
The Australian Agricultural Company says it will be able to use the Adelaide to Darwin railway to export cattle if the Federal Government invests in a truly national rail network.
Mon May 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 722 reads |
NSW: Talks stave off further rail strike
Crisis talks between the New South Wales Government and Sydney rail workers have averted further strike action over a dispute about random drug testing.
Fri May 13th, 2005 | DavidB | | 536 reads |
Vic: Batchelor denies fast rail blow-out
Transport Minister Peter Batchelor denied Opposition claims
yesterday that the price tag for the embattled regional fast rail
project would blow out to more than $1 billion.
Fri May 13th, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | | 514 reads |
NSW: Eye, Decaux join for rail tender
THE Ten Network's outdoor advertising business Eye Corp and French outdoor group JC Decaux are teaming up to bid for Australia's second-biggest outdoor advertising contract, worth up to $100 million.
Fri May 13th, 2005 | bevans | 4 comments | 1041 reads |
NSW: Silverton backs Tumut line reopening
It has been revealed two of the nation's biggest rail companies are behind the proposal to reopen the Tumut to Cootamundra rail line for freight.
Note: Anobody wishing to follow up Mr Nye's suggestion, you can write to:
The Hon John Anderson MP
Minister for Transport and Regional Services
Parliament House
Canberra, ACT 2600
Thu May 12th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 852 reads |
NSW: Hunter Valley rail service to be reduced
The rail service to Scone will not be cut permanently but will be reduced for an extended period of time, according to City Rail Hunter regional business manager James Adam.
Thu May 12th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 726 reads |
Rail strike hits Sydney commuters
SYDNEY rail commuters faced train cancellations and delays during this morning's peak period because of a snap strike by rail workers over a dispute about random drug testing.
Thu May 12th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 593 reads |
Vic: Wake-up call over sleepers
Two weeks ago the State Government announced an investigation into the future of the state's red gum forests along the Murray River.
Thu May 12th, 2005 | bevans | 6 comments | 916 reads |
NSW: Drug test row sparks train chaos
THOUSANDS of commuters will be late for work today after train maintenance workers called a snap strike last night, protesting random drug testing procedures.
Thu May 12th, 2005 | bevans | 538 reads |
Snap Sydney train strike
A SNAP strike by 300 rail workers threw Sydney train services into chaos late today, creating delays and cancelled services throughout the network – with more of the same expected tomorrow.
Note: Breaking News
Wed May 11th, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | | 889 reads |
Budget breakdown — road and rail re-announcements
The Australian Government will spend $2.2 billion on the land transport system in 2005-06.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson, and the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd, made the announcement today.
Wed May 11th, 2005 | bevans | | 708 reads |
NSW: Upgrades to ease rail delays in inner west
Frustrated rail commuters on the troubled inner-west lines may
begin to arrive home on time, with CityRail's upgrades of the
network easing congestion and minimising delays in the notoriously
late evening peak period.
Wed May 11th, 2005 | bevans | 2 comments | | 574 reads |
SA: State gives $10m for roads, rail
TheState Government will spend an additional $10 million on local road and rail infrastructure with the intent of boosting the grain industry on Eyre Peninsula.
Tue May 10th, 2005 | DavidB | | 543 reads |
Qld: Missing link no panacea for coalfields
Building the so-called "missing link" between Queensland's two main coalfield railways was no quick "silver bullet" solution to freeing up the state's infrastructure bottlenecks, Queensland Rail chief Bob Scheuber warned yesterday.
Tue May 10th, 2005 | DavidB | | 546 reads |
WA call for rail funds rebuffed
Western Australia's claim that it has been massively short-changed by the Federal Government in the distribution of freight rail infrastructure funds has been firmly rebuffed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John Anderson.
Tue May 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 425 reads |
Network Rail to hold roadshow
Network Rail, the operator of Britain's rail infrastructure,
will hold a roadshow in Australia this month.
Tue May 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 450 reads |
NSW: Madness rules the metropolis
I do try, now and then, to write on something other than the
pageant of NSW planning. But what a fabulous pageant it is. Carl
Hiaasen once likened the Miami development scene that is his daily
bread to those Keystone Cops movies, where your heroes tumble one
by one from the back of the paddy wagon and spend the rest of the
film trying to get their arms and legs moving in a forward
direction.
Tue May 10th, 2005 | DavidB | | 493 reads |
Tollner backs proposed inland train route
The Federal Member for the Darwin seat of Solomon says a proposed 200-kilometre train line connecting north-west Victoria to inland routes would increase freight travel between Melbourne and Darwin.
Mon May 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 4 comments | | 621 reads |
NSW: Train commuters increase
The South Coast rail line has defied the trend across CityRail to record rising passenger numbers, prompting renewed calls to upgrade the line.
Mon May 9th, 2005 | DavidB | | 517 reads |
NSW: Rail workers set example
The Goulburn Railway Workshops treated its staff to a barbecue lunch on Friday to celebrate an industry milestone, 400 days without an injury.
Mon May 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 554 reads |
Vic: Bill opens gate to rail freight
A bill that promises to give all freight train operators the
equal right to use Victoria's privately owned rail network has been
introduced into State Parliament.
Sat May 7th, 2005 | bevans | 2 comments | | 644 reads |
New laws for Vic rail access
The Victorian Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, has introduced new laws into State Parliament to reform Victoria's rail access regime.
Fri May 6th, 2005 | DavidB | | 655 reads |
NSW: Contingency on track
Tanker trains available as Goulburn's major water users targeted
The operation of water trains to Goulburn would pose "absolutely no technical problems," says the principal of Chicago Freight Car Leasing (Australia), Ian Gibbs.
Fri May 6th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 591 reads |
$60m for new train systems
THE federal Government's interstate rail corporation will deploy a $62.3 million train management system and CDMA communications network developed by aerospace group Lockheed Martin under a new agreement announced today.
Thu May 5th, 2005 | TA 2000/bevans | 1 comment | | 1065 reads |
Vic: Secret extra cash for fast rail
Connex and the State Government have struck a secret deal that will see taxpayers paying more for the $1.3 billion Regional Fast Rail project.
Thu May 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 667 reads |
Rail-link groups urged to work together
A advocate for an inland rail expressway linking Melbourne and Brisbane says there is no need for competition amongst different groups offering proposals for the link.
Wed May 4th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 560 reads |
Rival inland rail link proposed
High speed trains would whiz passengers and freight between Brisbane and Melbourne overnight under an alternative $3.1 billion inland rail project to be show-cased at a conference later this month.
Tue May 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 1049 reads |
Vic: Carriage breaks free of passenger train
A train carriage carrying passengers broke free from a suburban
train and continued travelling in one of two incidents involving
Melbourne public transport operator Connex.
Tue May 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 600 reads |
Vic: Fast train off tracks
THE slow coaches that have cost Victorian taxpayers a staggering $1.3 billion will in many cases be slower than existing rail services.
Tue May 3rd, 2005 | bevans | | 590 reads |
Vic: Third rail track for Dandenong
Dandenong will be targeted in today's budget with transport and
planning initiatives aimed at improving train services to the fast
growing region and boosting residential development. The measures
will include advancing the struggling Dandenong transit city
project.
Tue May 3rd, 2005 | bevans | | 629 reads |
Vic: Major delays in train services
Connex and V-Line are warning passengers of long delays on
outbound Werribee Line rail services due to power lines downed by a
truck.
Mon May 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | | 481 reads |
Vic: Train brakes blasted
The safety system chosen for the state's $1.3 billion regional fast rail upgrade was initially declared substandard.
Mon May 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | | 515 reads |
Plan for Harbour Bridge facelift
A FOUR lane roadway could be built beneath the world renowned Sydney Harbour Bridge under a plan to ease the city's traffic and train congestion.
Sun May 1st, 2005 | bevans | 546 reads |
Harbour crossing may help save rail
The backers of a second railway on the Harbour Bridge believe
passengers would flock to a new service, which would bring
much-needed capacity to the city's overstretched lines.
Sat April 30th, 2005 | bevans | 4 comments | | 650 reads |
Vic: Railway times revolt
Premier Steve Bracks was forced to defend the upgrade after the Herald Sun revealed many trains would be slower than those now running.
Commuters from all four lines say Regional Fast Rail will be no better or worse.
Hume City mayor Kevin Sheahan said Sunbury would get no extra peak-hour services.
Sat April 30th, 2005 | bevans | | 608 reads |
Vic: Fast trains are slow coaches
Half the trains to be delivered by the Bracks Government's $1.3 billion fast rail project will be slower than existing services.
Fri April 29th, 2005 | DavidB | | 685 reads |
Vic: Batchelor releases rail pricing paper
Victoria's Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor says the Government was continuing to drive improvements to Victoria's rail access arrangements, with the release today of a discussion paper on pricing rules.
Thu April 28th, 2005 | DavidB | | 491 reads |
Qld: Trains to keep influx moving
Rail links stretching from Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast to Coolangatta on the NSW border will be built to cope with an expected influx of 1million people to southeast Queensland over the next two decades.
Thu April 28th, 2005 | DavidB | | 564 reads |
SA: Train buffs on cloud nine
The first Steam Up Quorn weekend, held on April 23 and 24, has helped renew interest in the fantastic vintage locomotives and history of the Pichi Richi railway.
Thu April 28th, 2005 | DavidB | 478 reads |
NSW: Rail branch lines in doubt for harvest
FARMERS' groups and NSW Nationals' members are calling on the State Government to make a firm commitment to the long-term security of the State's 15 branch rail lines.
Thu April 28th, 2005 | DavidB | 459 reads |
WA: City rail project blows out by $45m
HE Gallop Government has admitted a four-month delay in completion of the $1.5billion rail line to serve Perth's southern suburbs and a second cost blowout in the troubled project, despite previous assurances it would be delivered on time and within budget.
Thu April 28th, 2005 | DavidB | | 519 reads |
Qld: Beattie plans for Inland Rail ... in 20 years
A $55 billion infrastructure plan unveiled by the Queensland Government today includes a $1.05 billion standard gauge rail link and tunnel connecting Gowrie to Grandchester. Completion is planned by 2026.
Wed April 27th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 715 reads |
Vic: New station slows train trips
Passengers travelling from Warrnambool to Melbourne will have up to nine minutes added to their trip from tomorrow when a new station opens at Marshall, near Geelong.
Mon April 25th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 1001 reads |
Qld: Airport train in line for another station
A third station servicing the much-maligned Airtrain Citylink line could be built at Brisbane airport within three years following a major restructure of the service.
Sun April 24th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 745 reads |
NSW: Banned minister takes train
Stripped of his licence because of a drink-driving conviction, Craig Knowles was forced to catch the train yesterday.
Sun April 24th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 561 reads |
Qld: Clash of rail giants
Australia's rising transport tsar, Patrick Corp boss Chris Corrigan, sat down for a chat with Premier Peter Beattie this week at a particularly awkward moment for both men.
Sat April 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 668 reads |
Vic: Strangers on a train
Commuter Vin Maskell finds himself in a parallel
universe when technology turns human.
Sat April 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 618 reads |
Northern Rivers Echo - End of the line
Transport minister John Watkins (pictured) left Northern Rivers residents derailed last Friday when his visit to Murwillumbah ended with a firm refusal to restore any train services on the line.Transport minister John Watkins (pictured) left Northern Rivers residents derailed last Friday when his visit to Murwillumbah ended with a firm refusal to restore any train services on the line.
Sat April 23rd, 2005 | gregrudd/bevans | | 609 reads |
NSW: Rail plan argument against superhighway
The Federal Government's proposed north-south rail link should finally sound the death knell of the Bells Line of Road superhighway, according to Macquarie MP Kerry Bartlett.
Fri April 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | 4 comments | | 799 reads |
NSW: Rail line will reopen temporarily
The chairman of the Gwabegar to Binnaway Rail Action Group, in northern New South Wales, is demanding to see the figures behind the State Government's audit of the line.
Fri April 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | 629 reads |
Ashford coal company welcomes inland rail study
Northern Energy Corporation has welcomed Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson's announcement that the Federal Government will fund a feasibility study into a $3 billion project to build a freight rail link between Melbourne and Brisbane.
Fri April 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 559 reads |
NSW: Lobbying to begin for New England rail route
Lobbying to promote New England as the favoured inland rail route between Melbourne and Brisbane is set to start in earnest following yesterday's announcement confirming a north-south rail corridor feasibility study.
Thu April 21st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 626 reads |
NSW: Grain by train
Rail transport of Forbes-grown grain looks more assured after the State Government announced a $13 million upgrade of restricted rail lines.
Thu April 21st, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 606 reads |
NSW: Rail line cuts anger farmers
The State Government is indefinitely "suspending" three of the
15 remaining railway branch lines in western NSW that farmers use
to carry their grain.
Thu April 21st, 2005 | DavidB | | 592 reads |
Vic: Tram boy to face new charges
A 15-year-old boy who allegedly took a Melbourne tram on a 15km
joy ride has been charged with nine new offences, including
stealing a bus and the attempted theft of a train.
Thu April 21st, 2005 | DavidB | | 451 reads |
NSW: Freight is jeopardising passenger services: Watkins
The embattled New South Wales rail freight system has been dealt another blow, with the NSW Minister for Transport John Watkins pointing blame for passenger network delays squarely at the freight sector.
Wed April 20th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 681 reads |
NSW: Govt seeks train delay review
The New South Wales Government has requested an independent review of the impact of freight services on the state's passenger trains.
Wed April 20th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 485 reads |
NSW: Rail closure out of line
Western NSW residents could be excused for confusion after this week's mixed messages from government on the future of inland rail.
Wed April 20th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 574 reads |
Call for extension to rail link plan
A proposed inland rail line from Melbourne to Brisbane should be extended to Gladstone to prevent another infrastructure bottleneck developing, freight and resource experts have warned.
Tue April 19th, 2005 | DavidB | | 515 reads |
Mildura-Darwin rail enthusiasts remain optimistic
Proponents of a northern rail link between Mildura in north-west Victoria and Darwin say they are not deterred by the Federal Government's announcement of a major study of a Brisbane-Melbourne inland rail corridor.
Tue April 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 631 reads |
Carr scathing about proposed $3bn rail line
The NSW Government has ridiculed a federal proposal to build an
inland railway line for freight trains between Melbourne and
Brisbane and ruled out any state money for the project.
Tue April 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 585 reads |
Windsor backs rail corridor study
The independent Member for New England, Tony Windsor, has welcomed a feasibility study into building an inland rail line between Melbourne and Brisbane.
Tue April 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 446 reads |
Vic govt cautious on rail link
The Victorian government will adopt a wait-and-see attitude to
ambitious plans for a new $4 billion direct freight rail link
between Melbourne and Brisbane.
Mon April 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 518 reads |
Anderson says new rail link necessary
A proposed new inland rail route linking Melbourne and Brisbane would be an economic necessity within the next five years, Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson said today.
Mon April 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 377 reads |
Govt plans for north-south rail link
The Federal Government has revealed it will fund a feasibility study into a $3 billion project to build a freight rail link between Melbourne and Brisbane, completing the rail network linking the mainland state capitals.
Mon April 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 460 reads |
Parkes mayor welcomes rail link benefits
Rural Australia would be a major beneficiary of an east coast
inland rail link, with potentially thousands of jobs created, the
mayor of Parkes says.
Mon April 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 382 reads |
Time is right for rail link says operator
There has never been a better time to consider building a $4
billion direct rail link between Melbourne and Brisbane, rail
operator Pacific National says.
Mon April 18th, 2005 | DavidB | | 443 reads |
NSW: Train graduates to begin work
State Rail today introduces its latest round of fully qualified train drivers, as part of the State Government $3.7 million plan to improve the embattled rail network.
Mon April 18th, 2005 | DavidB | | 331 reads |
NSW: Express to stay: Carr
Bob Carr says the Sydney to Albury XPT service is here to stay. And the NSW Premier has placed his faith in Transport Minister Mr John Watkins to make sure that happens
Sat April 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 6 comments | | 910 reads |
NSW: Farmers need rail decision
The threat of closure still hangs over the grain rail line at Boree Creek as the NSW Transport Minister has been accused of dragging his feet on a decision.
Sat April 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 535 reads |
SA: No help for Bluebird
Key people pushing for the return of one of the state’s luxury tourist trains are now doubtful the train will ever return to its original tracks.
Sat April 16th, 2005 | Paul/DavidB | | 569 reads |
NSW: Nationals hopeful of rail line reopening
The New South Wales Nationals' leader says he hopes the Transport Minister's visit to the north coast signals the possible reopening of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line.
Fri April 15th, 2005 | DavidB | 535 reads |
NSW: Plans continue for Tumut line
Plans to construct a transport rail line between Tumut and Cootamundra continue to roll along with Cootamundra Shire Council motioning to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between itself and other proponents of the line.
Fri April 15th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 598 reads |
NSW: Close shaves get rail tunnel workers in a lather
Construction workers on the Chatswood underground rail link are furious after being ordered to shave their beards and moustaches and don masks to stop them inhaling dangerous silica dust.
Fri April 15th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 584 reads |
Vic: Senator backs removal of railway
Removing the railway from the Wodonga central business district was a “great idea”, the Australian Democrats leader said this week.
Fri April 15th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 565 reads |
Rail lobby calls for grain network planning
The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) says 68 percent of Australia's grain export crop is at risk if urgent investment is not made on regional rail lines.
Thu April 14th, 2005 | DavidB | | 514 reads |
Hostage to XPT ways and woes
Angry, frustrated and with a sense of inevitability was how passengers and their families reacted to the hour delay in the XPTs arrival in Albury yesterday afternoon.
Thu April 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 619 reads |
Qld: Purists rail at 'sham'
THE old [Townsville] Flinders St railway station will not feature in the VP60 troop train re-enactment in August. Instead the train will end its journey at the new railway station near the causeway, a Queensland Rail spokesman said yesterday.
Thu April 14th, 2005 | DavidB | | 578 reads |
Vic: V/Line coach only
COACH services will replace all trains to and from Melbourne as part a new temporary V/Line timetable.
Thu April 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | 1004 reads |
NSW: Labor brands Inland Rail a lemon
NSW Liberal Leader John Brogden has attacked Labor Treasurer Dr Andrew Refshauge for ignoring country New South Wales after he described proposals for an inland rail study as a "lemon" and as providing no benefit to Sydney.
Wed April 13th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 544 reads |
Govt announce $62m rail technology package
The Federal Government will spend $62.3 million over four years on new communications and control technology for Australia's interstate and Hunter Valley rail systems, Transport Minister John Anderson has announced.
Wed April 13th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 590 reads |
WA: Too late to share rail facilities: Rinehart
Mining heiress Gina Rinehart yesterday rebuffed suggestions her
planned Hope Downs iron ore project might be amended to share
railway and port facilities with West Australian entrepreneur
Andrew Forrest's planned mine nearby.
Wed April 13th, 2005 | DavidB | 442 reads |
NSW: New jobs on track
Workers at Newcastle's United Goninan plant have welcomed the announcement that their jobs are looking secure, and an additional 70 new positions will be created in the company.
Tue April 12th, 2005 | DavidB | 567 reads |
NSW: $262m contract means more jobs
UNITED Goninan's Lansdowne Road plant will begin advertising its 10 new metal fabrication and fitting and machining apprenticeships about September.
Tue April 12th, 2005 | DavidB | 667 reads |
Rail workers strike in WA
Construction on the $1.2 billion rail link between Perth and the city of Mandurah, 75km to the south, has ground to a halt.
Tue April 12th, 2005 | DavidB | | 426 reads |
Vic: Driver blows whistle on train speed
Connex train drivers speed in the city loop, drive at night without headlights, and call disabled passengers "wheelie bins", a whistleblower says.
Tue April 12th, 2005 | DavidB | 5 comments | | 1263 reads |
Qld: Court told why rail talks called off
Former Queensland Rail chief executive Vince O'Rourke testified yesterday that he had expected National Rail Corporation to secure a long lease of a key terminal in Brisbane but ended talks in 1997 after plans to privatise the federal entity were announced.
Tue April 12th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 477 reads |
Vic: Vandals strike at rail tracks
Vandals are wreaking havoc on the city's rail network, leaving
bizarre and dangerous items on train tracks as the rate of
collisions between trains and stationary objects soars.
Tue April 12th, 2005 | DavidB | | 472 reads |
WA: Assault claim halts rail link work
Western Australia's Perth to Mandurah rail link has suffered another setback this morning, with claims of a work site assault bringing progress to a halt.
Mon April 11th, 2005 | DavidB | | 528 reads |
NSW: Blitz on train vandals
Railcorp is investigating one of its own employees after a crackdown on vandalism on the South Coast rail line.
Mon April 11th, 2005 | DavidB | | 541 reads |
SA: Call for $40m rail upgrade
SECTIONS of the Eyre Peninsula's railway will be unusable within five years if a $40 million proposal to help rebuild the region's grain transport system is not federally funded.
Mon April 11th, 2005 | bevans | | 451 reads |
Qld sells rail expertise to Vietnam
The Queensland Premier has announced Queensland Rail will sell its expertise to Vietnam, as the Asian nation seeks to modernise its rail network.
Sun April 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 384 reads |
Qld sells rail expertise to Vietnam
The Queensland Premier has announced Queensland Rail will sell its expertise to Vietnam, as the Asian nation seeks to modernise its rail network.
Sun April 10th, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | | 393 reads |
Grace Jones escorted off train after row
British police escorted actress Grace Jones off a Eurostar train after she allegedly grabbed a ticket inspector's arm in a row about her fare, the cross-Channel rail operator says.
Sat April 9th, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | | 437 reads |
WA: Jetty train halts
THE Busselton Jetty train service has been suspended indefinitely after concerns that the two remaining timber-decked sections of the jetty may not be able to cope with the load.
Sat April 9th, 2005 | bevans | 2 comments | | 505 reads |
QR pays out $134,000 to tilt train passengers
Queensland Rail (QR) has so far paid out more than $130,000 in compensation to passengers of the tilt train that derailed north of Bundaberg, in south-east Queensland.
Thu April 7th, 2005 | DavidB | | 389 reads |
NT railway crossings considered safe
The Australasian Railway Association says the Northern Territory is one of the safest places in the country to cross a railway line.
Thu April 7th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 511 reads |
NSW: Rail-bus plan under fire
Southern Highlands' residents have criticised the NSW Government's promise to replace the region's cancelled trains with buses, saying it does not go far enough to improve local transport.
Wed April 6th, 2005 | DavidB | | 560 reads |
Vic: Bridge to be a rail trail icon
Structural testing of the Sandy Creek bridge pylons is the first step in what is hoped to be the creation of an icon for the High County Rail Trail.
Wed April 6th, 2005 | DavidB | | 526 reads |
CFCLA expands lease solution for rail locos and wagons
In a major development for the Australian rail industry, the leading supplier of leased locomotives and rolling stock to the industry, CFCL Australia (CFCLA), has signaled a significant expansion of its investment in locomotives and wagons to meet expected industry demand.
Wed April 6th, 2005 | DavidB | | 628 reads |
Train changes aim to cut deaths
The risk of vehicle accidents at level crossings may soon be reduced, with a new standard for train visibility being developed.
Tue April 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 4 comments | | 526 reads |
Our trams are great, no butts about it
Navigating the joys of Melbourne's tramways - by the
seat of your pants.
I am a great fan of public transport. I ring my bell for it. I
blow my whistle. I toot my horn. Indeed, over the years I have
travelled on the creme de la creme of public conveyancing: the
Metro in Paris, the subway in New York, a cyclo in Saigon. When I
was at primary school in Glasgow there was nothing I liked more
than having a quiet fag on the upper deck of a Corporation bus
trundling down Shettleston Road.
Sun April 3rd, 2005 | bevans | 2 comments | | 553 reads |
NSW: Support for rail link
John Brogden, the leader of the NSW opposition, has thrown his support behind calls for a feasibility study into an inland rail link between Melbourne and Brisbane.
Fri April 1st, 2005 | bevans | | 514 reads |
Teen dies in rail bridge fall
A TEENAGER died when he tried to cross a Queensland rail bridge on a motorbike and fell 25m.
Fri April 1st, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | | 562 reads |
Rail to overtake road freight within three years: Little
In his address to the Australian Trucking Convention Toll Managing Director Paul Little predicts the company's rail business will overtake its road freight business within three years. Road freight currently represents 40 percent of the company's turnover.
Fri April 1st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 530 reads |
Anderson announces port freight inquiry
Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services John Anderson has announced a new inquiry into the interaction of regional road and rail networks and their connectivity to ports.
Thu March 31st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 507 reads |
Vic: Govt rejects rail link criticism
The Victorian Government is hitting back at Opposition criticism of the Government's lack of progress on standardising the Mildura to Portland rail link.
Thu March 31st, 2005 | DavidB | | 591 reads |
Inquiry to assess transport system
A federal parliamentary inquiry has been set up to look at regional road and rail networks and how they connect with ports.
Thu March 31st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 498 reads |
Vic: Rail issues need to be looked at
The member for Murray Valley has called on the Victorian Government to investigate a host of problems North East rail users have experienced on V/Line trains.
Thu March 31st, 2005 | DavidB | | 663 reads |
NSW: Late train pain
Only one in four afternoon trains on the South Coast line ran on time last week, making it the worst inter-city service.
Thu March 31st, 2005 | DavidB | | 577 reads |
NSW: Connected by a dysfunctional rail system
A friend did a pick-up, so to speak, while waiting for her
morning train. He was there to catch the 7:21 to Bondi Junction. As
was she. They had noticed each other on the platform for a while,
but it took the shared exasperation at the four-minute delay for
either to work up the courage to start a conversation.
Thu March 31st, 2005 | DavidB | | 545 reads |
NSW: Locals go loco over heritage train's visit
Its arrival may have been several hours late but Easter Saturday's visit to Cobar by the NSW Rail Transport Museum's 'Southern Aurora' Heritage Express certainly created plenty of interest for local train enthusiasts and onlookers.
Thu March 31st, 2005 | DavidB | | 918 reads |
Business Council promotes rail agenda
The Business Council of Australia (BCA) has repeated calls by the Australasian Railway Association (ARA) to hike truck charges and create an investment environment, which promotes more spending on rail infrastructure. BCA claims to represent Australian Chief Executives.
Wed March 30th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 538 reads |
Rail will prove the only answer down the track
Cities have to be constantly renewed and revitalised. Many older
industrial areas and inner area sites have been renewed and most
people can see that they are better. To allow areas to decline is
to deny the possibility of new opportunities for younger people,
and opportunities for new infrastructure and services.
Wed March 30th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 667 reads |
$3bn interstate rail link proposed
Powerful forces are aligning to realise another massive railway infrastructure dream - an inland line that links Melbourne and Brisbane and serves huge tracts of regional NSW.
Tue March 29th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 1004 reads |
NSW: Buses to replace axed rail services
Buses will replace weekend Moss Vale-Bundanoon rail services and weekday Goulburn-Moss Vale services to be axed under the new City Rail timetable, Minister for Transport John Watkins said last week.
Tue March 29th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 765 reads |
NSW: Steam train to visit region
TODAY is your chance to view a vintage steam train, the Locomotive 3801, in its finest form as it stops over in Muswellbrook on a journey from Sydney to Narrabri.
Thu March 24th, 2005 | DavidB | | 922 reads |
NSW: Bus, rail tickets via Bill Express
Bill Express is close to clinching a deal with ticketing
provider ERG that would result in it selling public transport
tickets through its growing network of terminals that are housed in
newsagents, supermarkets and chemists around Sydney.
Thu March 24th, 2005 | DavidB | 733 reads |
Qld: Train drivers' jobs spared in QR shake-up
Queensland Rail (QR) says stronger than expected demand for coal and vacancies within the Citytrain network mean no train drivers will be made redundant under company plans to cut 700 jobs.
Wed March 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | | 809 reads |
Qld: Govt praise for rail link fast-tracking
Business and local government groups have applauded the Queensland Government for committing funds to fast-tracking work on a rail link between Bowen Basin mines and the Abbott Point port.
Wed March 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 615 reads |
Vic: Parking fines just the ticket
Train ticket inspectors could start issuing fines to motorists who use railway station car parks but don't travel on the train.
Wed March 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 619 reads |
NSW: All aboard the $12m Railcorp gravy train
Details of senior RailCorp management's lucrative salaries have been revealed a day after the State Government announced it has taken on two more highly-paid executives to fix the ailing network.
Wed March 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | | 760 reads |
Vic: Trapped 20 leap to danger after train breakdown
Impatient commuters were almost hit by an oncoming train on
Monday night when they forced open emergency doors and jumped onto
the tracks after their train broke down near Richmond station.
Wed March 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 622 reads |
Qld: Fast track for $1bn coal plans
The Queensland Government will fast track planning for more than $1 billion of north Queensland infrastructure projects to meet an ever-increasing demand for coal.
Tue March 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | | 555 reads |
Vic: 2030 rail planning attacked
The State Government would be wasting millions of dollars of taxpayers' money if it followed its long-term metropolitan plan, Melbourne 2030, and built new rail lines to outer suburbs.
Tue March 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | | 551 reads |
NSW: Train buffs to enjoy escape
Once the "pinnacle of luxury in rail travel", the famous Southern Aurora is pointed our way as part of the Great NSW Rail Escape.
Mon March 21st, 2005 | jamesholt | | 808 reads |
VIC: Kilmany Train Crash
This morning around 7.30am, a V/LINE passenger train collided with a vehicle at a train crossing in Kilmany, ten minutes from Sale in Gippsland.
Note: Since this matter is under investigation, it is not appropriate to comment on the story. This article contains photos which may be disturbing for some readers.
Mon March 21st, 2005 | jamesholt | | 656 reads |
Vic: Person killed when car and steam train collide
A person was killed today when a car and a historic steam train collided at a crossing south-east of Melbourne.
Note: Since this matter is under investigation, it is not appropriate to comment on the story. This article contains a photo which may be disturbing for some readers.
Sun March 20th, 2005 | DavidB | | 902 reads |
NSW: Complaints prompt rail staff inquiry
CityRail's transit officers will come under scrutiny by the
State Government after hundreds of complaints from commuters,
including accusations that officers have behaved violently.
Sat March 19th, 2005 | DavidB | | 746 reads |
Vic: Fire alarm halts Melbourne trains
Melbourne trains ground to a halt for up to 15 minutes early today when the city's train control office was evacuated following a fire alarm.
Fri March 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 721 reads |
NSW: Meeting secured to discuss rail concerns
Member for Southern Highlands Peta Seaton said she had secured a meeting with Transport Minister John Watkins and along with a contingent of local representatives will face him next week to discuss rail concerns.
Thu March 17th, 2005 | DavidB | | 520 reads |
NSW rail workers to strike
About 300 rail maintenance workers in the NSW Hunter Valley will down tools on Thursday in protest over plans to privatise parts of the state's rail industry.
Thu March 17th, 2005 | davidb | 1277 reads |
Qld: QR may use untested trains
Untested locomotives may be rushed into production to service Queensland's congested coal fields after delays to an $88 million project designed to help Queensland Rail's fleet cope with increased demand.
Tue March 15th, 2005 | DavidB | | 712 reads |
WA: ACCC to green light iron ore joint venture
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is planning to approve a new iron ore joint venture in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The ACCC says there has been concern over access to the railway line, which was established by BHP in the 1960s.
Tue March 15th, 2005 | DavidB | | 595 reads |
PM ducks questions over railway funding
Prime Minister John Howard has batted away a series of questions
about how a bankrupt heritage rail project received almost $6
million in federal funding before collapsing last year.
Tue March 15th, 2005 | DavidB | | 487 reads |
Rivals unite in call for better rail services
Grain rivals AWB and GrainCorp have called for massive
government and private investment in rail and port facilities to cut bottlenecks and increase agriculture exports.
Fri March 11th, 2005 | DavidB | 500 reads |
Rail, port bottlenecks choke exports
Australia's chronic infrastructure bottlenecks have reached the radar of global investors, with one of the nation's biggest blue-chip companies warning of international concern about the effects on exports and corporate profits.
Fri March 11th, 2005 | DavidB | 4 comments | | 678 reads |
CityRail staff spend $1m on taxi fares
CITYRAIL spent $1 million-plus on taxis for its workers last year because public transport was "unable to meet specific business needs or time constraints".
Thu March 10th, 2005 | TA 2000/bevans | 2 comments | | 597 reads |
Vic: Buffet back on for train passengers
The long haul to Melbourne on Warrnambool's VLine train service became a gourmet experience yesterday as passengers toasted the trek with a drop of bubbly from the new buffet.
Thu March 10th, 2005 | DavidB | | 650 reads |
Volunteers Go Loco : The Australian Sugar Cane Railway
The recent closure of Bundaberg's Fairymead Sugar Mill, has highlighted the importance of restoring the history of the sugar industry. The Australian Sugar Cane Railway have a workshop and railway circuit in the Bundaberg Botanical Gardens.
Thu March 10th, 2005 | DavidB | | 763 reads |
WA: Logs on rail not viable: report
Road transport is more commercially viable than rail for transporting plantation timber, a State Government study has found.
Thu March 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 619 reads |
NSW: RIC on the wrong track
Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon has questioned why the Rail Infrastructure Corporation wants to sell off an economically viable unit in the Goulburn Railway Workshops and called on the State Government to abandon its plans.
Wed March 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 533 reads |
NSW: Rail blackspots solved
An ambitious plan to eliminate mobile phone black spots along the scenic South Coast rail line could soon deliver rail commuters uninterrupted reception between Wollongong and Sydney.
Mon March 7th, 2005 | DavidB | | 658 reads |
SA: State government refuses to hear railway proposal
An international railway company has plans to establish a multi-million dollar railway network which passes through Tailem Bend, Murray Bridge and the Mid Murray area. However, the project may not go ahead because State government has refused to meet with the company.
Fri March 4th, 2005 | DavidB | | 971 reads |
Public transport should drive our future
It seems the idea of public transport, the way Australians want it, has been lost. But for environmental and social reasons we should be investing in public transport infrastructure, because it is obvious our romance with the internal combustion engine is unsustainable.
Thu March 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 601 reads |
Hobby sends trains off the rails
For rail enthusiasts with a fast computer, it is all-aboard for
the future.
Tue March 1st, 2005 | James Holt | 1 comment | | 865 reads |
NSW: Plan to save Dubbo rail service
A twice-daily XPT service to Lithgow with links to Sydney commuter trains has been flagged as a solution to the current impractical and non-viable service from Dubbo.
Tue March 1st, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 1095 reads |
Vaile urges States to up infrastructure spending
The Federal Government was trying to put a positive spin on the trade results today. The Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, has used the results to call again on the States to improve infrastructure spending.
Tue March 1st, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 504 reads |
Vic: Association of Tourist Railways reports mixed half year
The Association of Tourist Railways Inc (Victoria) reported a very mixed half-year (sept 2004 - Feb 2006) to the delegates heading towards the six-monthly meeting of Association of Tourist & Heritage Rail Australia (ATHRA). Whilst there were notable sucesses with 15oth anniversary celebrations and the Castlemaine line re-opening, there were significant difficulties on the reulatory front.
Mon February 28th, 2005 | chairman/DavidB | | 958 reads |
Vic: Spend on roads, rail: Pratt
Victoria's richest man, business leader Richard Pratt, is urging
the Bracks Government to use this year's state budget to greatly
increase spending on roads, railways and other "nation-building"
infrastructure.
Mon February 28th, 2005 | DavidB | 390 reads |
National unification needed in rail reform
Mr Stephen O'Donnell, speaking at the National Press Club, has called on the Prime Minister and all Premiers to launch a full scale reform agenda for the rail industry.
Sat February 26th, 2005 | bevans | | 518 reads |
NSW: Rail protestors hold up bus system
About nine buses were held up for 15 minutes outside Newcastle railway station on Wednesday as Maitland and Newcastle Save Our Rail (SOR) members protested against the State Government's plan to cut the rail line.
Fri February 25th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 511 reads |
Vic: Marshall on track
Marshall Railway Station is expected to finally open next month.
Fri February 25th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 628 reads |
Qld: Break-in at controversial railway
Queensland police are investigating a break-in at the offices of
a bankrupt heritage railway project the federal opposition has used
as an example of alleged government rorting of a regional grants
scheme.
Fri February 25th, 2005 | DavidB | | 454 reads |
Vic: Rail safe but sloppy: Auditor-General
Victoria's Auditor-General has issued a damning report on the
State Government's regulation of rail safety, leading to claims
from the Opposition that the Government has been sloppy in its
running of the rail safety system.
Fri February 25th, 2005 | bevans | 4 comments | | 853 reads |
Vic: Decision looms on rail line move
A decision on whether to move the railway line out of Wodonga's central business district is expected by the end of next month.
Thu February 24th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 551 reads |
NSW: Groups bid for major rail reform
Lachlan Regional Transport Committee has endorsed a call by the National Farmers' Federation for full-scale reform of the rail industry.
Wed February 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 463 reads |
Rival takes its toll on QR
Quensland Rail has been dumped by its major container freight customer which criticised the state-owned railway's "abysmal" service and high charges.
Wed February 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 644 reads |
Toll loses patience with Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail's "abysmal service" had cost Toll Holdings
millions of dollars, Toll chief Paul Little said yesterday, but the
transport group still reported a record profit of $109 million for
the December half year.
Wed February 23rd, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 511 reads |
Reform of ports, rail and road urged
The Mineral Council of Australia has urged the Federal Government to step up reform of ports, rail and roads in order to avoid bottlenecks forming that could slow exports and reduce income.
Tue February 22nd, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 488 reads |
Vic: Poor track record
One in five Albury-Wodonga-bound V/Line trains ran more than five minutes late last month.
Mon February 21st, 2005 | DavidB | | 479 reads |
Vic: Anger over train delays
V/Line has blamed the fast rail works for recording its lowest punctuality result on the Ballarat corridor in the past six months.
Mon February 21st, 2005 | DavidB | | 483 reads |
NSW: Brogden's fury over rail inquiry
Premier Bob Carr is under fire for failing to provide the funds
and political commitment to improve rail safety in the wake of the
Waterfall and Glenbrook disasters, which claimed 14 lives.
Sun February 20th, 2005 | DavidB | | 453 reads |
QR sued by 20 tilt train injured
Twenty passengers who were injured when the City of Townsville tilt train careered off the rails near Bundaberg last year are suing Queensland Rail for personal damages.
Sat February 19th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 638 reads |
NFF backs calls to boost rail funding
The National Farmers Federation (NFF) is backing a call by rail freight operators for Australian governments to pump more money into the rail system.
Fri February 18th, 2005 | DavidB | | 473 reads |
NSW: Expanded cargo terminal too big, say planners
The state's top planners have cast adrift an ambitious plan to
massively expand cargo facilities at the Port Botany container
terminal - arguing its size should be reduced by 25 per cent to
avoid traffic gridlock.
Fri February 18th, 2005 | DavidB | | 517 reads |
Qld: Tilt train drivers maintain silence
The two men who were driving the Spirit of Townsville tilt train the night it skidded off the rails near Bundaberg last year are still refusing to give statements to police.
Fri February 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 613 reads |
Howard defends grant to Qld rail project
Prime Minister John Howard defended a decision to grant $600,000
to a bankrupt heritage railway in Queensland, saying there was
nothing improper about trying to rescue the project.
Wed February 16th, 2005 | DavidB | | 454 reads |
Rail reform needed for exports: ARA
Australia's future as a competitive exporter would be
jeopardised unless there was comprehensive reform of the national
rail system, a key industry representative has said.
Wed February 16th, 2005 | DavidB | | 458 reads |
New study urges railways not roads for freight transport
In the battle between road and rail in Australia, the railways have for decades seen themselves as the poor relation. Now Australia's rail transport operators are putting up a fight against what they say are massive cross subsidies for the heavy trucks on the nation's roads.
Wed February 16th, 2005 | DavidB | | 491 reads |
Labor questions bankrupt Qld rail grant
Several questions needed to be answered in parliament about how a bankrupt rail project in Queensland was given a $660,000 federal grant, Labor said.
Wed February 16th, 2005 | DavidB | | 437 reads |
Qld: Call for talks on port, rail logjams
QUEENSLAND'S largest coal port operator has called for a special meeting of state and federal ministers to better co-ordinate infrastructure investment and boost Australia's export performance.
Wed February 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 356 reads |
PM defends govt role in rail project
Prime Minister John Howard will write to Labor leader Kim
Beazley, defending the government's involvement in a bankrupt rail
project.
Wed February 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 420 reads |
Opposition questions Qld rail project
The Federal Government is again under fire over its regional grants program, with the Opposition raising concerns in Parliament about a $600,000 offer to a bankrupt rail project in the Queensland seat of Forde.
Wed February 16th, 2005 | bevans | 447 reads |
NSW: Road train access to Parkes rail hub
Business interest in utilising the Parkes rail hub is expected to increase considerably, following the announcement of unrestricted roadtrain access from Condobolin to the Parkes rail terminal.
Mon February 14th, 2005 | DavidB | 6 comments | 929 reads |
SA: Quick-thinking averts train disaster
Drivers on the Overland train avoided a major accident by urgently stopping before hitting a steel pipe placed on railway tracks in northern SA, the Sunday Mail reports.
Sun February 13th, 2005 | bevans | | 580 reads |
Qld: Dying man admits to train heist
A deathbed confession has reopened a 66-year-old unsolved train robbery which had become folklore in northwest Queensland.
Fri February 11th, 2005 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 724 reads |
Qld: Bert's private railway
When some people retire it's bowls or bridge that begins to occupy their time. For Bert Toogood, retirement meant a chance to built the railway of his dream - Cape York Lines.
Thu February 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 531 reads |
Tas: Rail firm pays regatta costs
Rail company Pacific National has agreed to pay the cost of shepherding regatta-goers across the train tracks this long weekend but insists its freight trains must keep rolling throughout the event.
Thu February 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 572 reads |
NSW: Goulburn commuters high and dry
A draft Southern Highlands CityRail timetable was "small comfort for local travellers as it goes nowhere near replacing the depth of services lost over the last seven years in the wake of Labor's rail salami slicer," says the Member for Southern Highlands, Peta Seaton.
Wed February 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 496 reads |
V/Line defends Ballarat rail line efforts
V/Line says it has worked hard to minimise inconvenience for passengers on the Ballarat rail line during the next shut-down for work on the regional fast rail project.
Wed February 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 538 reads |
NSW: Watkins highlights $1b rail revamp
NSW Transport Minister John Watkins has arrived on a late train from Sydney to inspect first-hand work at Thirroul railway station on the state's south coast.
Wed February 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 576 reads |
NSW: 99,000 refuse to pay rail fines
NEARLY 100,000 CityRail commuters fed up with the State Government's "no-tolerance" infringement policy are refusing to pay their fare evasion fines.
Wed February 9th, 2005 | bevans | 1 comment | | 869 reads |
NSW: Train driver 'no time to react'
A Sydney train driver had no time to react before hitting a 21-year-old man walking beside the tracks, a court was told today.
Tue February 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 713 reads |
NSW: Minister braced for fallout
New Transport Minister John Watkins will visit the Illawarra today to listen to the frustrated voices of the South Coast rail service.
Tue February 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 499 reads |
NSW: State Rail sued over son's death
A Chinese mother today sobbed in court as she recalled how she was informed by fax that her only son, an aspiring doctor, was killed after being hit by a Sydney train.
Mon February 7th, 2005 | DavidB | 4 comments | 1080 reads |
Vic: Interest in railway lease
Six entrepreneurs and organisations have expressed interest in redeveloping fire-ravaged sections of the Ballarat Railway Station.
Mon February 7th, 2005 | DavidB | | 537 reads |
NSW: Diamonds stolen in train robbery
Police are hunting a female thief who stole a cache of diamonds and other valuables from sleeping passengers on a Brisbane-bound train.
Sun February 6th, 2005 | DavidB | | 531 reads |
Qld: Cheap airfares drop rail customers
Australia's ongoing discount airfare war is being felt on the ground, with long distance passenger numbers falling dramatically on Queensland Rail (QR) regional services.
Sat February 5th, 2005 | DavidB | | 646 reads |
Rail lines, roads and power cut with snow and gales
The wild weather uprooted trees, ripped off roofs and flooded coastal caravan parks.
Mt Sabine in the Otway Ranges, north of Apollo Bay, recorded the state's highest rainfall -- a staggering 190mm in the 24 hours to 9am yesterday.
Fri February 4th, 2005 | bevans | | 508 reads |
WA: East-west rail line back on track
The east-west railway line between Merredin and Kalgoorlie has reopened. The line has been closed since Sunday when two freight trains were derailed in separate incidents.
Fri February 4th, 2005 | DavidB | | 666 reads |
Vic: Train delays to continue in evening
There will be little respite for Melbourne commuters tonight
with storm damage still crippling the Frankston, Sandringham and
Werribee train lines and forcing significant delays on the
rest.
Thu February 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | | 507 reads |
Vic: Bracks stands by rail closures
The Victorian Premier has defended unscheduled rail closures of the Ballarat to Melbourne line set to take place later this year.
Thu February 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | 450 reads |
WA: Train carrying chemicals derails
DAMAGE DONE: Part of the wreckage (left) after the train derailment. Damaged carriages were strewn for 100 metres around the area. |
Two trains derailed during scorching weather on Sunday. In nearly 40 degree heat, it is believed rails buckled in Merredin near the railway intersection of Goldfields Road, causing a hazardous goods train to come off the rails and damaging 19 carriages.
Thu February 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | | 650 reads |
Vic: 'Tough regulator' needed for rail
A key port and rail operator has called for a tough and
independent regulator to ensure the owner of Victoria's rail
network, Pacific National, does not monopolise the track with its
own trains.
Thu February 3rd, 2005 | DavidB | | 446 reads |
Vic: Rail line to close
The Ballarat rail line will close for up to four weeks from later this month.
Wed February 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | | 532 reads |
SA: Govt reviews rail safety laws
The State Government says it is reviewing rail safety legislation in South Australia after the death of a Port Augusta rail worker last year.
Wed February 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | 487 reads |
Vic: Train safety move still months away
An emergency braking system that could have prevented two train
crashes in Melbourne in the past four years is still at least six
months away from use on all Melbourne trains.
Wed February 2nd, 2005 | DavidB | 504 reads |
NSW: Decision on rail 'unlikely to change'
Maitland Mayor Peter Blackmore is disappointed newly appointed transport minister John Watkins won't reverse a decision to cut the Newcastle rail line at Broadmeadow.
Mon January 24th, 2005 | DavidB | | 528 reads |
Govt quizzed over rail project
The West Australian Opposition has accused the Government of leaving taxpayers in the dark over the cost of the southern metropolitan rail project.
Sun January 23rd, 2005 | bevans | | 7238869 reads |
WA: Premier plans underground rail
A $190-million plan to put underground a section of the rail line separating Perth from its main entertainment precinct would rid the city of its dullsville tag, WA Premier Geoff Gallop said today.
Fri January 21st, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 536 reads |
NSW: Storm creates rail chaos
Rail commuters were left stranded across the Illawarra last night after heavy rain and hailstorms battered the region.
Fri January 21st, 2005 | DavidB | 447 reads |
NSW: Rail-crash report 'a wake-up call'
The New South Wales rail system remained a liability 28 years after 83 people lost their lives in the state's worst train accident, the organiser of the Granville memorial service said today.
Tue January 18th, 2005 | DavidB | | 531 reads |
Vic: BRAG up in arms as railway works start
Yesterday was labelled a black rail day for Bendigo as trains between the city and Sunbury shut down in preparation for works on the fast rail project.
Tue January 18th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 573 reads |
NSW: Rail safety was 'grossly inadequate'
THE final report of the Waterfall inquiry has delivered a damning assessment of the state of the NSW rail system at the time of the crash that claimed seven lives, blaming "grossly inadequate" safety management as a major contributing factor.
Tue January 18th, 2005 | Loco | | 783 reads |
NSW: Government is serious about rail safety: Carr
Rail safety reforms introduced since the Waterfall train crash showed the New South Wales Government was serious about improving safety for train travellers, Premier Bob Carr said today.
Mon January 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 542 reads |
NSW: More crashes likely: rail report
Railcorp lacked a culture of safety and further train crashes were likely in New South Wales unless it implemented reforms, the final report in the Waterfall train disaster has found.
Mon January 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 491 reads |
Vic: Railroad era ends
FOR the Harding family, yesterday's 6.50 pm train service from Bendigo to Kyneton marked the end of an era.
Mon January 17th, 2005 | Loco | | 692 reads |
NSW: Waterfall report due two years on
THE final report of a special commission of inquiry into the Waterfall train crash in New South Wales will be released this afternoon.
Mon January 17th, 2005 | Loco | 515 reads |
NSW: Train blamed for fire
Sparks from a goods train seem to be the most likely cause of simultaneous bushfires in between Cootamundra and Wallendbeen on Thursday afternoon.
Mon January 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | 495 reads |
Vic: Rail overhaul starts
The controversial overhaul of train services between Bendigo and Melbourne will begin today, with the State Government launching major Fast Rail works.
Mon January 17th, 2005 | DavidB | 557 reads |
NSW: Hornsby train station to get $60m upgrade
The New South Wales Government will spend $60 million upgrading Hornsby train station over two years, as part of its program to simplify the Cityrail network.
Sun January 16th, 2005 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 330431 reads |
NSW: Train to stop in Cobar
Cobar farewelled its last regular passenger train in 1975 but on Easter Saturday, March 26, the western mining town will host a visit from the restored Southern Aurora.
Thu January 13th, 2005 | DavidB | 660 reads |
WA: Chinese interests hope for rail boost
Mt Gibson Iron hopes the interest of a Chinese railway group will boost its exports in the mid west by allowing improvements to the local rail system.
Thu January 13th, 2005 | DavidB | 500 reads |
Rail and sea snarls blamed for trade loss
Pressure is building on the Federal Government to review the capacity of rail and shipping after bottlenecks in those areas were blamed for the country's second largest trade deficit in history.
Tue January 11th, 2005 | bevans | 2 comments | 507 reads |
Mount Gibson shares jump
Shares in Mount Gibson Iron Ltd have surged almost six per cent
after the iron ore miner confirmed a Chinese state-owned enterprise
has taken a 5.9 per cent stake in the company.
Tue January 11th, 2005 | bevans | | 699 reads |
WA: Logs to stay on rail line
West Australian Plantation Resources will continue using the Manjimup to Picton rail line after the State Government announced a $10.93 million upgrade late last month.
Tue January 11th, 2005 | DavidB | 497 reads |
WA: Greens seek BHP warning in rail dispute
The WA Greens are calling on the State Government to reprimand BHP Billiton for violating its State Agreement Act which states it must share its infrastructure with other players.
Mon January 10th, 2005 | DavidB | 430 reads |
Tas: Steaming back to early love
AS a child, Caroline Hodge would stare up at the steam trains at the West Coast Pioneers Museum and wish she knew what all the valves and knobs did.
Sun January 9th, 2005 | DavidB | 519 reads |
WA: BHP moves to block Fortescue rail ruling
BHP Billiton has upped the ante in its battle to prevent Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals Group from winning free entry to its Pilbara railway, appealing against a National Competition Council ruling that opened the door to the budding iron ore magnate last month.
Sat January 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 662 reads |
NSW: Spider bite halts train in its tracks
Raymond Rutter's morning driving a commuter train from Gosford to Sydney became a race against time to save the life of a passenger bitten by a funnelweb spider.
Sat January 8th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | 710 reads |
WA: Pilbara iron ore project delayed
Progress on the Hope Downs iron ore project in the Pilbara, in north-west Western Australia, has been delayed, with the company given an extension to lodge its development application to the WA Government.
Fri January 7th, 2005 | DavidB | 516 reads |
Vic: Country rail users miss out
Liberal opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder has lashed out at the Labor Party's failure to provide discount Sunday public transport rates for people using the Ararat-Ballarat train line.
Fri January 7th, 2005 | bevans | | 506 reads |
NSW: Rail guard suspended
A CityRail guard who allegedly tried to punch an elderly passenger had been suspended from his regular duties, CityRail said today.
Thu January 6th, 2005 | DavidB | 548 reads |
NSW: Rail hoax traced to Moree
A bomb threat on Christmas Day that delayed the northbound CountryLink Xplorer at Sydney's Central Station was traced back to a public phone box in Moree, police revealed yesterday.
Thu January 6th, 2005 | DavidB | 527 reads |
NSW: Rail probe after guard threat
An irate CityRail guard had to be restrained by workmates when he tried to punch an elderly passenger in Sydney's south yesterday.
Wed January 5th, 2005 | DavidB | 522 reads |
More deaths expected at rail crossings
Without improvements in driver behaviour more Australians are likely to die in level crossing accidents this year, according to new research.
Tue January 4th, 2005 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 561 reads |
Vic: Driver survives crossing smash
A MAN escaped with minor injuries when a train slammed into his four-wheel drive at a level crossing in Melbourne's south overnight.
Mon January 3rd, 2005 | Loco | 619 reads |
Safety regulator defends uranium transport trial
The Northern Territory's work safety regulator says plans to transport yellowcake uranium on the Adelaide to Darwin Railway could be safer than using the road.
Mining company WMC Resources has been granted approval for a three-month rail trial transporting products from its Olympic Dam and Beverley mines in South Australia to Darwin's East Arm Port.
NT Worksafe's director Mark Crossin says WMC has met all accident response and staff training requirements.
Sat January 1st, 2005 | bevans/michaelgreenhill | 531 reads |
Vic: Minister lauds public transport success
Victorian Transport Minister Peter Batchelor says the free trams, trains and buses were very successful in getting Melbourne's large New Year's Eve crowds home.
Sat January 1st, 2005 | Loco | 602 reads |
Rail upgrade for Melbourne port
The Victorian Government will spend nearly $6 million to improve rail infrastructure at the Port of Melbourne.
Fri December 31st, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | | 569 reads |
WA: Freight train mishap blocks passenger line
Passengers travelling to Kalgoorlie on the Prospector train will be forced to take a bus for part of the journey because a freight train has broken down on the Western Australian line.
Thu December 30th, 2004 | Loco | 635 reads |
Westgate Ports to raise rail profile
John Dixon says Westgate will not compete with Patrick Corp or P&O.
The Salta Enterprises offshoot has won the right to redevelop the Victoria Dock, writes Philip Hopkins.
John Dixon is the new kid on the docks. As group managing director of Westgate Ports, the Port of Melbourne's latest private investor, he is set to help push the port into a new era.
Wed December 29th, 2004 | bevans | 3 comments | | 991 reads |
VIC: Heritage listing for rail shed
THE most striking evidence of Port Fairy's railway history has been formally added to the state's Heritage Register with hopes of full restoration.
Tue December 28th, 2004 | Loco | | 568 reads |
City to keep V/Line trains
VICTORIAN trains will not need to terminate in Wodonga once the railway bypassed the city, Wodonga council chief executive Mr Peter Marshall said yesterday.
“The conversion of the broad gauge line to standard gauge will be completed by the time the rail bypass is opened in mid-2007,” he said.
Mon December 27th, 2004 | bevans | | 891 reads |
Train death not suspicious
POLICE are not treating as suspicious the death of a man struck by a train in inner-western Sydney today.
Fri December 24th, 2004 | bevans | 713 reads |
FCL leases rail siding at North Dynon
FCL has moved up one rung of the rail transport ladder. From being simply a freight forwarder, we now have our own train - jointly with CRT, and operated by Queensland Rail (QR) - running into our own rail siding.
Note: (Story from FCL's internal staff magazine "Focal Points", with some extra info added.)
Fri December 24th, 2004 | mjja/Loco | 4 comments | | 1266 reads |
Slow trains to rule on regional rail
Trains will run more frequently to regional Victoria, but the promised fast services will be rare.
Only three weekday morning train services would meet the Bracks Government's much-trumpeted fast rail time targets for regional Victoria under a proposed timetable for 2006.
Fri December 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 594 reads |
TRAIN SERVICES - Mulder slams draft
OPPOSITION Transport spokesman Terry Mulder believes the people of Ballarat should feel "hugely let down" by the State Government's draft 2006 timetable for regional rail travel in Victoria.
Mr Mulder said the launch of the new timetable, which offers nine extra services on the Melbourne line each weekday, confirmed that $750 million of taxpayers' money had "gone down the gurgler".
Fri December 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 526 reads |
Push to retain rail
SINGLETON Council has vowed to do whatever it can to stop the State Government's plan to cut the rail line between Broadmead-ow and Newcastle.
Fri December 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 605 reads |
Not-so-fast trains row
JUST a handful of train services on the Fast Rail project will meet the State Government's promised travel times.
Fri December 24th, 2004 | bevans | 524 reads |
Govt, Opposition at odds over fast train work
Victorian Transport Minister Peter Batchelor says a new Ballarat fast-train timetable will also mean better services to Ararat and the Wimmera.
Mr Batchelor says the Ballarat timetable released yesterday is still a draft, and work is still continuing on more services to Ararat and extra bus services for the Wimmera.
Thu December 23rd, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | 599 reads |
Bid to save rail service
ALBURY council will seek assurances from the Victorian Government that V/Line broad gauge trains will continue to run to Albury if and when the Wodonga rail bypass is built.
Deputy Mayor Cr Kevan Porter raised the issue this week, citing a Border Mail report that the 5.7km bypass would carry only a standard gauge line.
Wed December 22nd, 2004 | bevans | | 577 reads |
Trains get new safety devices
SAFETY devices which may have prevented Sydney's Waterfall train crash have been installed on all suburban NSW trains.
Wed December 22nd, 2004 | bevans | 537 reads |
Victoria's DOI looking after Victorian public assets
Victoria's department of infrastructure has no real regard for Victorian owned public property. You only have to take a look around the Victorian Rail Network to get an appreciation of the total mess the system has become under the consecutive victorian goverments.
Wed December 22nd, 2004 | bevans | | 670 reads |
Growing awareness of rail-crossing dangers
THE number of safety incidents on level-crossings in the state has doubled since October, 2002, when four people were killed in a train crash at Salisbury.
Rail authorities say the increase – from 153 to 300 and among the nation's highest – is due to better reporting s a result of the school bus crash at the level-crossing.
Wed December 22nd, 2004 | bevans | | 497 reads |
Vic Govt called to deliver on railway promise
The Victorian Liberal Party is stepping up pressure on the State Government to explain why work is yet to begin on standardising railways between Mildura and Portland.
Tue December 21st, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 593 reads |
Vic: Water drought on new fast-rail trains
COMMUTERS on Victoria's new fast-rail trains will be the first in 100 years to go thirsty while travelling from regional centres to the city.
Tue December 21st, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 554 reads |
Vic: VGR back on track
The steam train between Maldon and Castlemaine is back in service after almost three decades. The restored K160 locomotive pulling five carriages arrived in Castlemaine at about 11 am yesterday for the official re-opening of the branch line.
Mon December 20th, 2004 | DavidB | | 536 reads |
Call for train smash witnesses
AN 84-year-old man was killed and his female companion critically injured when a freight train hit their car at a railway crossing in Brisbane early today.
The train hit the Nissan Pulsar car at a railway crossing on Queensport Road at Murrarie, in Brisbane's east, around 8.30am (AEST), police said.
Sat December 18th, 2004 | bevans | 555 reads |
Man killed as car hit by train
ONE man is dead and a woman is seriously injured after their car was struck by a train at a crossing in the Brisbane suburb of Murarrie.
Sat December 18th, 2004 | bevans | 551 reads |
The Alternatives to using the Port of Melbourne
Several alternatives to the Port of Melbourne have been touted. Foremost, with its natural deep harbour, is Hastings, 80 kilometres south-east of Melbourne on Western Port. Other contenders are the bulk ports of Geelong and Portland. It has also been suggested that containers could be moved by rail to and from Melbourne from Sydney or Darwin.
Sat December 18th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 557 reads |
Man hit by train
A MAN is in critical condition after being hit by a train in south-west Sydney today.
Sat December 18th, 2004 | bevans | 626 reads |
Vic: Pacific National suspends rail services to Portland
A decision by Pacific National to indefinitely suspend all rail services to Portland because of grain harvest uncertainties has angered key stakeholders who rely on rail for other freight services.
Fri December 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 6 comments | | 835 reads |
NSW: Maitland told to fight plans to cut rail line
If Maitland residents don't fight to save the rail line into Newcastle, they will be the ones who will pay the most dearly when it is gone.
That is one of the messages that came out an emergency strategy meeting held by the Newcastle and Maitland Save Our Rail groups in Newcastle today.
Fri December 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 600 reads |
Barnsey and Santa hit the Outback by rail
t sounds like the rock'n'roll tour from hell - eight shows in three days, with 4,500km of travelling in between.
Veteran Australian rocker Jimmy Barnes has just completed that punishing schedule as guest performer on board the Indian-Pacific's annual Christmas Outback train.
Fri December 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 491 reads |
NSW: Rail unions accept pay deal
Rail unions in New South Wales have withdrawn their threat of industrial action after accepting the first phase of a two-stage pay deal with RailCorp.
Thu December 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 534 reads |
NSW: Council wants rail freight line back on track
The general manager of Cootamundra Shire Council says the Cootamundra to Tumut rail freight line needs to be reopened as current transport arrangements are detrimental to the region.
Thu December 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 606 reads |
WA: BHP miffed as Fortescue gets Pilbara rail access
Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals was yesterday served up a surprise victory by the National Competition Council in its battle to gain access to BHP Billiton's jealously guarded Mount Newman iron ore railway line in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Thu December 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 755 reads |
Vic: State must keep trains and the budget on track
The fast-rail project, an easy and persuasive promise to regional voters, is proving more costly and difficult to deliver than expected when Steve Bracks led Labor to a surprise victory over the Kennett government in 1999.
Thu December 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 482 reads |
NSW: Commuter chaos in the Hunter
Maitland commuters will turn away from the public transport system in droves, flooding the already congested New England Highway. That was the prediction of opponents yesterday to a State Government plan issued by transport minister Michael Costa to cut the rail line into Newcastle.
Thu December 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 567 reads |
Sydney 'needs trams, not trains'
Scrapping trams in Sydney was a big mistake that had left the city with "traffic sewers", an urban transport expert said today.
Wed December 15th, 2004 | DavidB | | 527 reads |
NSW: Government backs Newcastle rail closure
The NSW Government has agreed to cut passenger rail services into Newcastle's central business district and develop a new bus and rail interchange at Broadmeadow.
Wed December 15th, 2004 | DavidB | | 631 reads |
WA: Rail closure threat
THE closure of the Manjimup to Picton rail line would result in an extra 100 truck movements a day through Donnybrook, according to Shire president Bruce Hearman.
Tue December 14th, 2004 | DavidB | | 608 reads |
Vic: Cost blowout for fast rail
The Victorian Government has defended a $200-million blowout to install a $750-million train-stopping safety system for four regional fast rail lines.
Tue December 14th, 2004 | DavidB | | 503 reads |
Truckies fight NSW levy plans
DRIVERS and the trucking industry say they are being wrongly targeted by a NSW government plan to levy heavy-vehicle freight to fund infrastructure upgrades.
Tue December 14th, 2004 | bevans | | 468 reads |
NSW: $2b to drive trucks off the road
Container trucks will be hit with a levy to push more freight onto trains under a sweeping State Government strategy, but it will not be enough to prevent the number of semi-trailers on Sydney's roads doubling to almost 2 million within six years.
Mon December 13th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 510 reads |
Qld: Eyesores feature in sky train proposal
The plan for an 11km gondola ride, inspired by a councillor's ratepayer-funded trip on the Cairns Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, is on the Shire of Kalamunda 25 plan.
Mon December 13th, 2004 | DavidB | | 600 reads |
NSW: Rail upgrade puts freight targets on track
New truck and rail facilities will need to be built at Enfield capable of shifting 300,000 containers a year - with a separate freight line next to the western or southern lines supporting deliveries to a transfer station in the city's outer suburbs, leaked cabinet papers show.
Mon December 13th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | 524 reads |
Vic: Kinder children let train take the strain
The troubles of Warrnambool's V/Line passenger train service was the furthermost thing from the minds of the Chatsworth Kindergarten children yesterday as they set off on what was, for most of them, their first train ride.
Fri December 10th, 2004 | DavidB | | 640 reads |
Downer EDI to build locos for BHP
Construction and engineering group Downer EDI Ltd will design and supply 13 locomotives for BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd.
Fri December 10th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 642 reads |
NSW: Rail link fast-track a Government backtrack
In a big policy shift, the State Government will build a rail link to Sydney's south-west but still refuses to run trains to the north-west, and will instead concentrate on upgrading the bus network.
Fri December 10th, 2004 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 634 reads |
Trains running with cracks in key part
QUEENSLAND Rail has been operating coal trains with dangerous defects for almost a year despite an investigation that found a crucial component was prone to cracking.
Fri December 10th, 2004 | bevans | | 614 reads |
Train service stalled
A PROMISE to extend train services to South Morang has been broken by the State Government.
Fri December 10th, 2004 | bevans | 5 comments | | 1243 reads |
NSW: About time for our rail
There'S good news and bad news for rail commuters in the Hawkesbury. The good news: a new timetable will bring increased services for commuters. The bad news: there's another 10 months of frustrating travel until the timetable is introduced.
Thu December 9th, 2004 | DavidB | | 517 reads |
Police probe Riverina rail death
The railway line through Wagga Wagga, in southern NSW, is closed this morning as police investigate the circumstances surrounding a fatality at the Kapooka Bridge.
Thu December 9th, 2004 | bevans | | 487 reads |
NSW: Police probe Riverina rail death
The railway line through Wagga Wagga, in southern NSW, is closed this morning as police investigate the circumstances surrounding a fatality at the Kapooka Bridge.
Wed December 8th, 2004 | DavidB | | 466 reads |
NSW: Tractor hit by express train
A MAN escaped with only minor injuries when his tractor was hit by a train on a south-west NSW level crossing today
Tue December 7th, 2004 | crivens/James Holt | 485 reads |
Vic: Commuters facing wild weather misery
Melbourne commuters could face train delays on their way home tonight after train operator Connex said it could not guarantee damage caused by overnight thunderstorms would be repaired in time for the evening rush.
Tue December 7th, 2004 | DavidB | | 475 reads |
NSW: Trial and tribulation: passengers rail against unscheduled end
When the train from Homebush arrived at Central at 10.51am yesterday - 13 minutes late - commuters were already furious. Many were bound for stations further along the City Circle, but were told the train was terminating, as part of CityRail's two-week trial of its new timetable.
Tue December 7th, 2004 | DavidB | 517 reads |
Ports, rail choking off coal exports
Asia's ooming industries want to buy Australian coal and mining companies have plenty to sell, but bottlenecks at ports and rail lines mean they are increasingly having to turn export business away.
Tue December 7th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 493 reads |
NSW Govt ponders Qld border rail line plan
The New South Wales Government says it would consider a proposal to extend the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line in northern NSW into southern Queensland.
Mon December 6th, 2004 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 720 reads |
V/Line fares to rise
A return train trip from Bendigo to Melbourne will rise to just over $50 under price increases announced by the State Government.
Mon December 6th, 2004 | DavidB | 495 reads |
Tas: Rail car comes long way down the track
Transport enthusiast David Jones has loved trains since he was a small boy and has dedicated a large part of his life to restoring them.
So it was a dream come true when his restoration of an 1870s AB1 rail car -- believed to be oldest rail carriage in the state -- was completed yesterday.
Mon December 6th, 2004 | DavidB | 549 reads |
Qld: Tilt train grounded by crack fears
Queensland's only surviving diesel tilt train was secretly grounded on Friday night after an inquiry into last month's train crash found major structural flaws in the wheel housing of the derailed train.
Mon December 6th, 2004 | DavidB | 512 reads |
Terminal dilemma
The more CityRail changes, the more the trains stay the same, writes Joseph Kerr.
"Railway officials threw away their controversial new timetables last night as Sydney's suburban train services became hopelessly snarled. With trains running an hour or more late, drivers and guards were given hurried new routing instructions as they pulled into stations. Indicator boards flashed like pinball machines and confused commuters strained to hear muffled announcements before cramming into already packed peak-hour trains.
Sun December 5th, 2004 | bevans | | 505 reads |
NSW: Safety risk stops rail apartments
As Sydney grapples with how to accommodate its future population, a report to RailCorp has warned that building residential apartments over railway lines is "inherently problematic", could pose safety risks and inhibit growth of the rail network.
Sat December 4th, 2004 | TheLoadedDog/michaelgreenhill | | 653 reads |
NSW: On time is great, but commuter groups would prefer faster and more frequent
The main improvement train users were desperately seeking - faster, more frequent services - has been ignored in the draft CityRail timetable, the NSW Commuter Council has warned. Kevin Parish, chairman of the lobby group representing the state's commuters, said despite his organisation working with the State Government on the timetable for six months, the draft fell well short of what was needed.
Fri December 3rd, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 619 reads |
City leaders join forces to confront train meltdown
The city's crippling train crisis and drastic service cuts under proposed timetable changes have prompted a group of civic and business leaders to demand an immediate start to a light-rail mass-transit network.
Increasingly frustrated at the Carr Government's failure to commit to a long-term public-transport policy for the rapidly expanding inner ring of suburbs, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, yesterday hosted leaders of city business groups concerned about deteriorating transit options and how these may hurt CBD commerce.
Fri December 3rd, 2004 | bevans | | 467 reads |
Lengthy delays after man hit by train
A MAN has died after being hit by a train in Sydney's inner-west today.
An ambulance spokesman said the man was struck at Newtown station about 12.37pm (AEDT).
The circumstances of the death are uncertain.
Thu December 2nd, 2004 | bevans | 521 reads |
No changes to South Coast rail timetable
SOUTH Coast rail timetables will remain unchanged, despite the NSW Government announcing a major shakeup to CityRail services yesterday.
The Carr Government has staked its political future on a revamped timetable which will apply to all lines except the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra and South Coast lines.
Thu December 2nd, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | 553 reads |
Off the rails
GOVERNMENTS are masters of spin.
Thus the Bracks Government has accepted the challenge of making a virtue of the combination of increased public transport fares and reduced services.
Thu December 2nd, 2004 | bevans | 425 reads |
HERITAGE CALL ON STATION
HERITAGE PROTECTION COULD THWART THE STATE GOVERTMENT PLANS FOR A MULTI MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADE OF THE NORTH MELBROURNE RAILWAY STATION THE OPPOSITION CLAIMS.
Wed December 1st, 2004 | jacko/bevans | | 512 reads |
Timetable 'to fix rail problems'
NSW Transport Minister Michael Costa today staked his political credibility on a new timetable to fix Sydney's troubled rail networ
Wed December 1st, 2004 | bevans | | 415 reads |
Fast-rail blow-outs claimed
Details of millions of dollars in cost blow-outs on the Bracks Government's ambitious regional fast-rail project are being kept hidden from taxpayers, the State Opposition claims.
Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder has obtained details of recent payments for the project made by the Government since July, worth more than $56 million.
Wed December 1st, 2004 | bevans | | 488 reads |
Cold freight rail service to stay
Small business owners in south-west Queensland have been reassured by Queensland Rail that they will not lose their cold freight service.
The Member for Warrego, Howard Hobbs, raised the issue in the final sitting of State Parliament for the year.
Tue November 30th, 2004 | bevans | 517 reads |
Rail yard $400m boost
TOWNSVILLE'S old north railway yard is to be transformed into a $220 million residential, commercial and retail precinct, providing a $400 million economic boost to the CBD.
Transport Minister Paul Lucas announced the signing of a development deed between Queensland Rail and a consortium led by Townsville developer Honeycombes yesterday, signalling a go-ahead for the ambitious project.
Tue November 30th, 2004 | bevans | | 515 reads |
VIC: Spencer St holiday row
Builders rushing to finish the behind-schedule Spencer Street Station redevelopment will stop work for two weeks over Christmas, despite requests from construction firm Leighton Holdings that the Government close the station at night because it needs more site access.
Tue November 30th, 2004 | james_c/Loco | | 451 reads |
VIC: Spencer Street closes
COMMUTERS were turned away from Spencer St Station last night as builders attempt to fast-track the troubled project.
Tue November 30th, 2004 | james_c/Loco | | 415 reads |
Unions' Eureka trip derailed
A PLAN to bring hundreds of workers by steam train to Ballarat for Eureka Stockade celebrations has been derailed.
Tue November 30th, 2004 | bevans | | 518 reads |
Talks fail to resolve rail problems
Talks aimed at resolving the dispute over pay and conditions on the New South Wales rail network have broken up for the day without a resolution.
Tue November 30th, 2004 | bevans | | 373 reads |
Driver dearth spurs train cancellations
Metropolitan train cancellations jumped alarmingly last month compared to September, with frustrated commuters forced to put up with an average of 23 cancelled trains a day.
Connex said 712 trains were cancelled last month because of continuing driver shortages, faulty trains and vandalism.
In September, 478 trains were cancelled.
Sun November 28th, 2004 | bevans | | 490 reads |
VIC: Log on at railway stations
COMMUTERS may soon be able to surf the web, get the latest news and even play games against each other while waiting for a train.
Fri November 26th, 2004 | James Holt | 2 comments | | 555 reads |
Wambo rail link gets green light
COMMISSIONED in 1998 the Jerry's Plain rail line extension from Wambo Coal to the Warkworth Development Project rail loop has finally been given the green light to proceed.
Fri November 26th, 2004 | bevans | | 480 reads |
Our state tourism award winners
REGION - The Fleurieu Peninsula has fared extremely well after the 2004 SA Tourism Awards were held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday.
Fri November 26th, 2004 | bevans | | 390 reads |
New deal could fix ailing rail network
AFTER months of strife for NSW rail commuters, the Carr Government is close to a breakthrough deal with unions aimed at averting threatened statewide strikes and putting chronically delayed services back on track.
Four days of intense negotiations between senior union officials and a specially appointed government troubleshooter have led to a two-stage agreement on pay and work practices that both sides hope can fix the state's beleaguered rail network.
Fri November 26th, 2004 | bevans | | 407 reads |
Ballarat rail line to be renamed
THE Ballarat rail line will be renamed the Eureka Line to mark the 150th anniversary of the Eureka uprising.
Premier Steve Bracks announced the name change at the Ballarat Railway Station yesterday as part of a visit by the State Cabinet.
Fri November 26th, 2004 | bevans | | 483 reads |
Mayor sets rail plan in motion
Dubbo City Council will call on local governments along the Western XPT rail line to join forces and fight for better passenger services in the bush.
Thu November 25th, 2004 | bevans | | 381 reads |
Work starts on $6m rail crossing bridge
Construction has begun on a bridge at a rail crossing near Gerogery, in southern NSW, where five young men were killed in a traffic accident nearly four years ago.
The $6 million bridge on the Olympic Highway is the next phase of the Five Mates Crossing project.
Thu November 25th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 537 reads |
NSW: Rail cuts report out today
The findings of a New South Wales parliamentary report into rail cuts on the NSW north coast will be released today.
Thu November 25th, 2004 | Loco | | 394 reads |
NSW: Work starts on $6m rail crossing bridge
Construction has begun on a bridge at a rail crossing near Gerogery, in southern NSW, where five young men were killed in a traffic accident nearly four years ago.
Thu November 25th, 2004 | Loco | 458 reads |
Vic: Deaths haunt driver
"ROB" wanted to be a train driver from the time he was six. He joined the railways as a junior clerk at 15. His father was a railwayman, a shift electrician in the old manual sub-stations.
Thu November 25th, 2004 | james_c/Loco | | 425 reads |
Planning grant, 'Hub' approval
New South Wales Assistant Planning Minister, Diane Beamer, yesterday presented a cheque for $130,900 to Parkes Shire Council to assist in the preparation of a strategic plan for land use in the region over the next 20 to 25 years.
Wed November 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 468 reads |
Vic: Melbourne trains fail safety test
An emergency braking system on Melbourne's trains that should activate if a driver loses consciousness is unreliable and should be replaced, an independent report says.
The need for a dependable safety system has also been underlined by a survey of Melbourne train drivers in which more than 60 per cent admitted having been in charge of a train while drowsy or inattentive.
Wed November 24th, 2004 | mars/michaelgreenhill | 1 comment | | 612 reads |
Vic: Rail smoke ban first
TRAIN travellers will breathe easier from March 2006 as railway stations become some of the first sites set for tough anti-smoking laws.
Wed November 24th, 2004 | Loco | 1 comment | 530 reads |
Parents urge upgrade for killer crossing
The parents of two teenagers killed when struck by express trains on the same level crossing in Melbourne want an urgent safety upgrade at the site.
David Bramwells, whose daughter Alana Nobbs, 15, was killed on the Centre Road level crossing near Bentleigh railway station on Friday morning, and Maureen Rainey, whose son Troy, 18, was killed six years earlier, spoke out today on the crossing's safety.
Wed November 24th, 2004 | bevans | 6 comments | | 780 reads |
NSW: Freeday in Sydney failed to placate commuters
A fare-free day on Sydney's troubled rail network failed to ease the frustrations of long-suffering commuters. Angry passengers said they would still rather pay for a punctual train than have the aggravation of waiting for a free one that's still running late.
Tue November 23rd, 2004 | james_c/Loco | 490 reads |
Rail passengers' anger remains
A FARE-free day on Sydney's troubled rail network today failed to ease the frustrations of long-suffering commuters.
Tue November 23rd, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 495 reads |
Beattie to fast-track rail law
QUEENSLAND Premier Peter Beattie wants to fast-track new laws to protect anyone involved in an inquiry into last week's Tilt Train derailment.
Tue November 23rd, 2004 | bevans | | 447 reads |
Chemicals in train cargo
A COCKTAIL of dangerous chemicals was among the freight on a train which derailed in the Adelaide Hill
Tue November 23rd, 2004 | bevans | | 492 reads |
NSW: Illawarra high speed rail link vital
The best way to reduce unemployment and help the Illawarra job market would be to introduce a high-speed rail service to Sydney that would chop 10 to 20 minutes off the journey.
Mon November 22nd, 2004 | DavidB/jmorgan | 521 reads |
Freight train derails in Adelaide Hills
The derailment of a freight train today in the Adelaide Hills would disrupt passenger services for about four days, authorities said today.
A Pacific National freight train derailed at Belair, east of Adelaide, about 10am (CDT) today, causing damage to a train station and blocking a road but causing no injuries.
Sun November 21st, 2004 | bevans | | 642 reads |
SA: Derailed freight train narrowly misses homes
A freight train has derailed near a railway crossing in South Australia's Adelaide Hills, damaging a station platform and narrowly missing homes.
One freight container has come off the rails near the on Main Road crossing, and several other containers are tangled up further down the line.
Sun November 21st, 2004 | DavidB | 506 reads |
Qld: Tilt train drivers 'sorry'
THE two drivers of a derailed tilt train have offered their "deepest sympathy" to injured passengers but have declined to discuss revelations the train was speeding.
Queensland Rail has released "black box" data showing the train was travelling at almost twice the speed limit when it crashed.
Sun November 21st, 2004 | bevans | 562 reads |
NSW: Rail rebel vows to fight on
The 24-year-old legal secretary who forced the State Government into submission over tomorrow's free rail travel day has threatened more action if the situation does not improve.
Sun November 21st, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | 430 reads |
NSW: Forcing Carr into giving us a fare go
One defiant woman threatening a day of civil disobedience, took on Premier Bob Carr – and won. Yesterday Rebecca Turner, The Daily Telegraph's Captain Commuter, brought the State Government to its knees, forcing Mr Carr to back her two-week campaign for a fare-free day on all Sydney trains on Monday.
Sat November 20th, 2004 | TA 2000/DavidB | | 1089 reads |
NSW: Rail commuters get free day
The NSW government today bowed to public and union pressure and announced a fare-free day on Sydney's train network on Monday.
Fri November 19th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 429 reads |
NSW: It's not our fault: rail workers
NSW rail workers took to the platforms today to hand out fliers explaining why they were not to blame for the city's train woes. Rail staff handed out 50,000 fliers to commuters at stations across Sydney, Wollongong and the Central Coast, claiming they were just as much victims of poor train services as the travelling public.
Fri November 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 413 reads |
QR meets train drivers to avert 24hr strike
Queensland Rail's (QR) chief executive officer (CEO) Bob Schueber will meet train drivers in Bundaberg today. They are threatening to hold a state-wide strike.
Fri November 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 505 reads |
NSW: Airport rail link settlement may run over $100m
A proposed $100 million Government settlement with the owners of the airport railway line may not be the last public money poured into the troubled link if Sydney's late-running trains are not brought up to scratch.
Fri November 19th, 2004 | DavidB | | 393 reads |
NSW: Fine day for no pay day
RAILCORP has vowed to fine tens of thousands of commuters who plan to protest by not buying a ticket on Monday.
Fri November 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 356 reads |
Vic: Spencer St Station rebuild two years behind
The passenger hub of the new Spencer St station will open to the public 753 days late. Work will not be finished on the project dubbed "Treasure Island" until December 22 next year, the Auditor-General said.
Fri November 19th, 2004 | joffie/DavidB | 496 reads |
Qld: Train strike threat in Tilt row
Train drivers were threatening strike action today, angry Queensland Rail had revealed details of the high speed a Tilt Train was travelling when it derailed on Tuesday.
Thu November 18th, 2004 | DavidB | | 465 reads |
NSW: Backlog of rail maintenance work balloons out to $680m
The backlog of maintenance spending on the state's creaking rail network has ballooned to almost $680 million. Most is in country NSW, where $596 million of maintenance work had banked up by June - $57 million more than last year, according to the NSW Auditor-General, Bob Sendt.
Thu November 18th, 2004 | DavidB | 433 reads |
NSW: The bitter stand-off ruining the railways
The father and grandfather of Bob Carr were train drivers. His Transport Services Minister, Michael Costa, the son of a train guard, once trained to be a train driver and was president of the train drivers' union. Costa's hand-picked rail boss, Vince Graham, is the son of a train driver, and started as an apprentice on the railways.
So why, with such impeccable pedigrees at the top, is our rail system in such a mess and the Government's relationship with train drivers at an all-time low? Perhaps some complex Freudian drama is playing out every time the 7.20 from Bankstown runs late.
Thu November 18th, 2004 | DavidB | 479 reads |
Tilt Train was speeding, QR says
Police and Queensland Rail (QR) have confirmed that the Tilt Train involved in a derailment in central Queensland this week was travelling more than 50 kilometres per hour above the speed limit when the accident happened.
Wed November 17th, 2004 | DavidB | | 530 reads |
SA: Train spills flammable glue
Local ambulance and police officers, and about 25 firefighters, attended the scene of a leaking container on board a train at Port Augusta's Spencer Junction on Friday.
Wed November 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 485 reads |
Qld: Rail accident report 'months' away
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) says it will probably take months to complete a report on yesterday's tilt train derailment in central Queensland.
Wed November 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 475 reads |
Vic: Rail crash miracle
A young girl and her mother walked away without a scratch after their car clipped a Melbourne to Warrnambool passenger train yesterday at Garvoc.
Wed November 17th, 2004 | DavidB | | 515 reads |
NSW: Audit slams rail system
The NSW rail system has been criticised for a $670-million line maintenance backlog and a rapid deterioration in trains running on time.
Wed November 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 456 reads |
Qld: Opposition calls for freeze on QR cuts
Opposition leader Lawrence Springborg has called on Queensland Rail (QR) to freeze plans to cut 700 jobs until an investigation into the Tilt Train derailment is complete.
Wed November 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 384 reads |
Qld: Three investigations probe train crash
Three separate investigations are under way into yesterday's tilt train accident in central Queensland. The accident is being investigated by police, Queensland Rail and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
Wed November 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 408 reads |
Qld: Union surprised by crash
The union for rail workers aboard Queensland's derailed Tilt Train said today the train had boasted one of the nation's highest safety standards.
Tue November 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 507 reads |
Qld: Investigators comb train wreckage
The Queensland Government says there is no need to suspend the Tilt Train service at this stage, despite a derailment in central Queensland in which 120 people were hurt this morning.
Tue November 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 410 reads |
NSW: Talks hold off rail strike
NSW commuters appear to have escaped a strike by rail workers this week after the industrial court ordered unions and RailCorp back to the negotiating table in a last ditch effort to resolve the rail crisis.
Tue November 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 360 reads |
Qld crash sparks Vic fast rail fears
The Victorian Opposition says the overnight train crash in Queensland should be a wake-up call for the Victorian Government's regional fast rail project.
Tue November 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 514 reads |
Qld train accident investigation under way
Queensland Rail and the Australian Safety Transport Bureau (ATSB) have begun investigating the cause of a high-speed train derailment in south-east Queensland that injured 120 people.
Tue November 16th, 2004 | DavidB | | 1069 reads |
QR maintenance cut questioned
Queensland Rail should halt plans to reduce rail maintenance staff following today's train crash near Bundaberg, the state Opposition said.
Tue November 16th, 2004 | james_c/DavidB | 392 reads |
Qld: 128 hurt in crash; five serious
More than 100 people were injured, five seriously, when seven carriages of a high speed passenger train derailed in Queensland early today.
Tue November 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 420 reads |
Qld: Five seriously injured in Tilt Train derailment
At least five people have serious injuries after a high-speed train derailment in south-east Queensland.
A Tilt Train service with 157 passengers and seven staff on board came off the tracks north of Bundaberg just after midnight.
Tue November 16th, 2004 | DavidB | | 437 reads |
Qld: Tilt train derailment injures at least 79
At least 79 people were injured, one seriously, when seven carriages of a high speed train derailed in southern Queensland. Police said the Tilt Train came off the tracks about 12.15am (AEST, 1.15am AEDT) about 400km north of Brisbane, near the Queensland coastal city of Bundaberg.
Tue November 16th, 2004 | DavidB | | 425 reads |
NSW: 60 train services bypass stations
CityRail is forcing more than 60 train services to bypass scheduled stops every day, leaving passengers stranded on platforms and trapping others helplessly on the train.
Mon November 15th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 455 reads |
60 train services bypass stations
CITYRAIL is forcing more than 60 train services to bypass scheduled stops every day, leaving passengers stranded on platforms and trapping others helplessly on the train.
Mon November 15th, 2004 | TA 2000/jmorgan | 1 comment | | 423 reads |
Spencer St shutdown
LATE-night train passengers will be hit by severe disruptions to speed up work on the troubled Spencer St station redevelopment
Sun November 14th, 2004 | James Holt | | 501 reads |
Germany Railway DBAG result improves Slightly
German DB AG has improved its earnings after tax to -€54m, and revenue grew 4% in the first nine months of the year. Passenger-kilometers were flat at 52,1bn. Also, Chancellor Gerhard Schröder thinks it's a bad idea to break out the rail infrastructure from DB.
Note: http://eriksrailnews.com/
Sun November 14th, 2004 | james_c/michaelgreenhill | | 445 reads |
Road jams: a $3bn bill
Tens of thousands of Melburnians will be telephoned at home and urged to adopt public transport as part of a new State Government effort to unblock the city's congested roads.
Note: http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Road-jams-a-3bn-bill/2004/11/12/1100227578151.html
Sat November 13th, 2004 | james_c/bevans | 1 comment | | 421 reads |
NSW: Rail chief not getting pay rise
Railcorp chief Vince Graham would not get a 4-per-cent pay rise awarded to senior NSW public servants, a government spokesman said today.
Fri November 12th, 2004 | DavidB | 1776 reads |
Rail chief says trucks must pay
The rail industry has reignited the transport funding debate, accusing big trucks of not paying their way. Stephen O'Donnell, chairman of the Australasian Railway Association, said car owners were effectively paying 40 per cent more than they should to subsidise the impact of long-haul trucks on Australia's highways.
Fri November 12th, 2004 | bevans/DavidB | 1 comment | 452 reads |
NSW: Train debate continues in AIRC
The NSW Government will today identify what issues it is prepared to negotiate in an attempt to halt a proposed one-day rail strike. The battle between train drivers and the Carr Government spilled into the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) this week where conciliatory talks are continuing.
Fri November 12th, 2004 | DavidB | 410 reads |
Eurostar 10 years old!
High-speed Channel Tunnel train company Eurostar celebrated its 10th birthday by announcing record passenger levels. Eurostar carried 641,957 passengers in October - a record figure for the month.
Fri November 12th, 2004 | james_c/bevans | 446 reads |
India to introduce highspeed train
The Indian Railways has announced plans to introduce bullet trains between Bangalore-Chennai and Mumbai-Ahmedabad. Minister of State for Railways, R Velu, said that a Japanese firm had been asked to prepare a feasibility study for the project by the end of the current financial year.
Fri November 12th, 2004 | james_c/bevans | 1 comment | | 437 reads |
WA: Fortescue signs state rail deal
Iron ore start-up Fortescue Metals today said it had entered into a deal with the Western Australia state government for its planned open access rail line in the state's north-west.
Thu November 11th, 2004 | DavidB | 449 reads |
Student exams avert rail action
Rail unions were to meet today to discuss the NSW government's pay offer as they ruled out strike action this week while HSC exams continue.
Unions NSW secretary John Robertson convened a meeting of union officials this morning to discuss the pay offer and a possible strike.
Thu November 11th, 2004 | freightgate/michaelgreenhill | 380 reads |
Seymour (SRHC) Video
Having recently been on my first trip with SRHC, the Benalla trip, and also finding myself in the position where I actually ran out of DV video tape, I decided to my camera phone.
Wed November 10th, 2004 | bevans | | 461 reads |
Innocent victims of train stupidity
COMMUTERS will be stranded at railway stations as early as next week as the Carr Government and rail unions refuse to give an inch in the wages standoff.
Wed November 10th, 2004 | TA 2000/jmorgan | 1 comment | | 514 reads |
CountryLink reservations to go online
NSW rail services provider CountryLink's adoption of online reservations will flow into a new ticketing system, a significant new outsourcing deal and an upgrade of its desktop systems.
Tue November 9th, 2004 | DavidB | 570 reads |
NSW: Student exams avert rail action
Rail unions were to meet today to discuss the NSW government's pay offer as they ruled out strike action this week while HSC exams continue.
Tue November 9th, 2004 | DavidB | 428 reads |
Development institute backs infrastructure calls
The Urban Development Institute of Australia has echoed calls for governments to act now to avert a future infrastructure crisis. A report has found there has been a lack of planning and money spent on rail, roads, water treatment and electricity.
Tue November 9th, 2004 | DavidB | 442 reads |
NSW: Rail staff hit $61m jackpot
Train drivers will earn more than police, teachers and nurses after the Carr Government rewarded days of commuter chaos with a $61 million bribe.
Tue November 9th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 476 reads |
Vic: Late trains cost Connex $4.6 million
Train operator Connex has been hit with a record $4.6 million fine for again failing to meet service standards. It is the largest penalty dished out to a private train company in Victoria.
Tue November 9th, 2004 | james_c/DavidB | 1 comment | 492 reads |
No strike this week: train boss
RAILCORP chief executive Vince Graham today downplayed the prospect of a New South Wales rail strike this week over stalled negotiations for a new pay agreement.
Mon November 8th, 2004 | bevans | 436 reads |
QR taxi bill hits taxpayer pockets
TAXPAYERS are meeting the cost of cab fares for Queensland Rail passengers stranded by cancelled and delayed train services.
Mon November 8th, 2004 | bevans | 416 reads |
South rail on track
The State Government has awarded a $32 million contract to John Holland Pty Ltd to build stations at Canning Bridge, Bull Creek and Murdoch.
Sun November 7th, 2004 | bevans | | 471 reads |
MAN RUN OVER BY TRAIN
AN ORMAND MAN 26, SUFFERED SEVERE ARM INJURIES AFTER BEING RUN OVER BY A TRAIN WHILE ON THE TRACKS AT GLEN HUNTLY RAILWAY STATION AT ABOUT 12:35AM YESTERDAY. IT IS BELIEVED HE MAY HAVE FALLAN FROM THE PLATFORM.
EMERGENCY SERVICES FREED THE MAN FROM UNDER THE TRAIN AND TOOK HIM TO THE ALFRED HOSPITAL.
THE MAN WAS IN A SERIOUS, BUT STABLE CONDITION.
Sun November 7th, 2004 | jacko/bevans | 1 comment | | 486 reads |
Vic: Heavy rain hits rail network
Melbourne's trains experienced delays this morning when heavy rain penetrated a junction box between Spencer Street and North Melbourne stations.
Fri November 5th, 2004 | DavidB | | 503 reads |
NSW: No 'quick fix' evident in rail dispute
New South Wales Transport Minister Michael Costa says commuters have an unrealistic expectation about how quickly the problems with late-running trains can be ironed out.
Fri November 5th, 2004 | DavidB | 447 reads |
V/line losing passengers
V/Line passengers drop
The number of trips taken on rural train service V/Line slumped significantly last year.
Thu November 4th, 2004 | james_c/Loco | | 507 reads |
NSW: Train rage grips state's worst line
The Daily Telegraph believes it has found the worst peak-hour train ride in NSW – one that is constantly late and on which regulars are now turning on one another like participants in a twisted reality TV show.
Thu November 4th, 2004 | DavidB | | 614 reads |
Call to streamline bidding
The Victorian Property Council of Australia has called on the State Government to establish a "one-stop shop" to streamline the management of the growing number of public-private partnerships in the state.
In September, Leighton Holdings chief executive Wal King accused the State Government of imposing "expensive, onerous and unwarranted requirements" on private companies in PPP ventures. Mr King was reported as saying the Government had treated a partnership with Leighton to build the Spencer Street railway station as a "master-slave relationship".
Note: http://www.theage.com.au/news/Business/Call-to-streamline-tender-bids/2004/11/02/1099362140894.html
Wed November 3rd, 2004 | james_c/bevans | | 392 reads |
Old Prospector dusted off to stand in for high-tech trains
The WA State Government is taking legal advice on whether to penalise the maker of Kalgoorlie's two new multi-million-dollar Prospector trains over a string of mechanical and electrical problems since they were launched in June.
(Article from The West Australian Newspaper - 2/11/04)
Tue November 2nd, 2004 | V1213/bevans | | 569 reads |
NSW: Rail cut rumours have no substance
Rail services across the Blue Mountains; they're an essential part of life for the region that over the years have been subject to more 'informed' rumour and speculation than probably any other Government facility.
Tue November 2nd, 2004 | DavidB | | 452 reads |
NSW: Rail service 'basic right'
A spokeswoman for a local retirees' lobby group said cutting the Dubbo to Sydney rail service would be tantamount to depriving central western citizens of their basic human rights.
Tue November 2nd, 2004 | DavidB | | 499 reads |
Train disaster report delayed
THE final report into the Waterfall train disaster will not be released until the second anniversary of the accident, the NSW Opposition said toda
Mon November 1st, 2004 | bevans | | 562 reads |
Steam and steel fire this train driver's desire
A SHIRT and tie was exchanged for overalls yesterday afternoon as veteran engine driver Graeme Jennings guided an impressive restored R-class locomotive from Warrnambool to Melbourne.
Mon November 1st, 2004 | James Holt | 1 comment | | 698 reads |
Qld: Coal port draft ruling flawed, say analysts
A recent Queensland Competition Authority draft ruling could deter further private-sector investment in state infrastructure and erode crucial returns from government-owned businesses like Energex and Queensland Rail, analysts have warned.
Mon November 1st, 2004 | DavidB | 409 reads |
NSW: Committee stalls on making rail crossings safer
A NSW safety committee has stopped short of calling for a single agency to take responsibility for railway road crossings despite an average of five deaths a year in crashes between trains and motor vehicles.
Mon November 1st, 2004 | DavidB | | 451 reads |
Qld: Kuranda train runs out of steam
JUST eight months after its launch, the Cairns to Kuranda steam train service in far north Queensland has reached the end of the line.
Mon November 1st, 2004 | DavidB | | 559 reads |
NSW: Plea for rail improvement
Reversing the long-term decline of NSW's regional rail services is possible and could bring strong economic and environmental benefits, research has shown.
Fri October 29th, 2004 | DavidB | 538 reads |
Qld: Gold Coast light rail plan no certainty
Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke says it is far from certain that the city will have a light rail service. The findings of a joint federal and state feasibility study are expected to be released shortly.
Fri October 29th, 2004 | DavidB | | 611 reads |
A TICKET FOR MY WIFE'S LIFE
NEARLY three months after his wife fell to her death from the Indian Pacific train, Donald Morrison has a complimentary train ticket but no answers to how she died.
Fri October 29th, 2004 | TA 2000/bevans | | 546 reads |
Toll threat to ditch railway
FreightLink this month hiked freight costs reportedly by 15 per cent, less than a year after the operation began. Toll managing director Paul Little said most major customers were hostile about the increased charges.
Thu October 28th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 697 reads |
Freeways aren't the answer to our gridlock
At what point will the penny drop? An RACV survey of 7500 members showed three-quarters of respondents said traffic congestion in Melbourne had worsened in the past five years.The Government must commit itself to improving public transport, not building freeways, writes Kenneth Davidson.
Thu October 28th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 587 reads |
NSW: Scorn for Scully's views on light rail
Light rail supporters including the Government's own sustainability commissioner have attacked comments by the Roads Minister, Carl Scully, raising doubts about the viability of trams in the CBD.
Thu October 28th, 2004 | DavidB | 459 reads |
Travel 'nightmare' on Spencer StreetVic:
Poor signage and insufficient customer service at the Spencer Street Railway Station have been blamed for confusion among passengers, leading to missed trains and delays.
Thu October 28th, 2004 | james_c/DavidB | 1 comment | | 446 reads |
Electrifying idea from Whitlam
Former PRime Minister Gough Whitlam urged Albury-Wodonga people last night to launch a national campaign to electrify the railway lines from Melbourne to Sydney and Brisbane.
Sat October 23rd, 2004 | DavidB | 6 comments | | 668 reads |
WA Government plays down rail project delays
The Western Australian Government is maintaining its $1.5 billion Mandurah rail project will be completed on time, despite the project falling weeks behind schedule.
Sat October 23rd, 2004 | DavidB | 531 reads |
NSW: The train guard from hell
A transit officer was branded "poorly trained or vindictively violent" by a magistrate yesterday after he crash-tackled and handcuffed a passenger.
Fri October 22nd, 2004 | TheLoadedDog/DavidB | 1 comment | 845 reads |
NSW: Rail guru gets Glen Innes on track
The rail track between Glen Innes and Tamworth needs an upgrade and a large rail freight company should be encouraged to set up shop in Glen Innes for the ambitious Rail Hub project to be successful.
Fri October 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | 492 reads |
NSW: Downpour cuts coast rail lines
NSW South Coast rail system was in chaos early yesterday as flash flooding and track faults forced hundreds of commuters onto buses.
Fri October 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | 485 reads |
Albury-Wodonga bypass to be a single line
Wodonga's railway bypass is likely to start as a 5.7km single standard gauge line despite multi-million dollar upgrades promised for the railway network.
Fri October 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | | 712 reads |
Vic: Mayors assured over fast rail
A display showing the capacity of the State Government's fast rail network has been received positively by two central Victorian mayors.
Fri October 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | 395 reads |
Vic: Govt demonstrates fast train
The Victorian Government has used the latest technology to show off the capabilities of its new fast train service between Bendigo and Melbourne.
Fri October 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | | 473 reads |
NSW: Heat blamed for black week on trains
Commuters were stranded on platforms on the hottest October day on record after CityRail ordered drivers to slow down because of the heat, delaying 79 services and causing 85 per cent of trains to be late.
Thu October 21st, 2004 | DavidB | 442 reads |
Vic: Truckie to face trial over train collision
A Wodonga truck driver involved in a collision with a steam train near Benalla, in which three people were killed, will stand trial for culpable driving.
Note: Since this matter is still before the court, it is not appropriate to comment.
Wed October 20th, 2004 | sthyer/DavidB | | 566 reads |
Vic: Guilty pleas on 115km/h train derailing
The man charged over a train derailment which injured more than 40 people suffered a huge emotional burden and had lost all joy in his life since the accident, the Victorian County Court was told today.
Wed October 20th, 2004 | DavidB | 532 reads |
Vic: We want rail moved: Brumby
Victorian Treasurer John Brumby said the State Government was working to have the railway relocated from central Wodonga as soon as possible.
Wed October 20th, 2004 | DavidB | | 531 reads |
NSW: Railway museum in demand
For five years Bishop Druitt College teacher, John Lambitt has lead his students from Coffs Harbour straight to Tenterfield Railway Museum as part of his course in Tenterfield studies.
Tue October 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 591 reads |
Vic: Rivals rail at $200m deal
State Government spending promises for better public transport in the eastern suburbs have been described as a sham.
Tue October 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 454 reads |
United Goninan wins $44m QR contract
Queensland Rail today awarded United Group's Goninan division contracts for the supply of coal wagons and bogies worth $44 million.
Mon October 18th, 2004 | DavidB | 688 reads |
Vic: Rail issues on agenda
CENTRAL Victorian mayors will take their concerns about fast rail to the State Government on Thursday. A meeting comes after seven central Victorian mayors wrote to the government, demanding it release new timetable information for Bendigo to Melbourne train services under the fast rail project, before construction on the line began.
Mon October 18th, 2004 | DavidB | 760 reads |
NSW: CityRail considers single deck trains
If you're nostalgic, you might be glad to hear that CityRail is considering turning back the clock and bringing back single-deckers. But don't worry: the return of the Red Rattler is not on the cards. CityRail will buy 498 new air-conditioned carriages worth $1.5 billion over the next six years and a modern single-deck train may be the answer.
Fri October 15th, 2004 | DavidB | 5 comments | | 976 reads |
Vic: Text aims to keep train commuters on track
When a V/Line train crashed into a Ford Falcon sedan trapped at St Albans, Connex Melbourne, the company that operates the metropolitan trains passing through St Albans station, cancelled all trains on the line for the next four hours to allow emergency services to clear the scene. The train company also automatically sent out SMS alerts to registered customers informing them of the cancellations.
Wed October 13th, 2004 | DavidB | 524 reads |
NSW: Major development fails to do Newcastle justice
Newcastle's much touted metamorphosis from industrial port to designer-burb seemed about as plausible as gentrifying Launceston. The masterplan had two main planks: reconnect the city to its harbour and, to this end, remove the rail line.
Tue October 12th, 2004 | DavidB | 527 reads |
Vic: Driver puts out train blaze
Quick action by a train driver stopped a fire from spreading through a carriage after it was deliberately lit by a passenger in Melbourne, police said today.
Sun October 10th, 2004 | DavidB | | 607 reads |
Qld: Teen survives being hit by train
A 14-year-old boy has miraculously survived after being run over by a train in Bundaberg, in south-east Queensland, overnight.
Sun October 10th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 554 reads |
Qld: Fires close rail line
The interstate railway line between Brisbane and Sydney was closed today by a large grassfire in Brisbane's south-western suburbs.
Thu October 7th, 2004 | DavidB | 541 reads |
Qld: Injured rail worker awarded $1m
A locomotive driver has been awarded nearly $1 million in damages for serious injuries he sustained when he fell from a stationary train while on the way to the toilet.
Wed October 6th, 2004 | DavidB | 462 reads |
Knowles faces court battle over rail interchange
The transport giant Patrick Corporation has vowed to fight a senior NSW minister over a four-year delay in approving a rail interchange that promised to take nearly 1000 trucks a week off suburban streets.
Tue October 5th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 559 reads |
NSW: Railway repairs to see grain go
About 60,000 tonnes of grain from last year's wheat harvest are still stored in silos along the Gwabegar to Binnaway restricted grain line, but the State Government has promised it will be cleared before the 2004 harvest begins.
Tue October 5th, 2004 | DavidB | | 574 reads |
A tough line
QUERIES over fire safety in the City Loop highlight the need for urgent modernisation of the train system if there is any hope of reaching the goal of having 20 per cent of travel done on public transport.
Mon October 4th, 2004 | bevans | 472 reads |
Rail hub public meeting
A PUBLIC meeting to discuss the rail hub concept and a forum for the New England candidates will be held at the Town Hall next Tuesday from 5pm.
Mon October 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 451 reads |
Vic: Push for toxic waste rail option
A central Victoria council is urging the State Government to use rail if it decides to ship toxic waste from Melbourne to a proposed storage in the Mallee.
Fri October 1st, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 491 reads |
NSW: Rail hub hums along
A freight rail hub in Glen Innes, shifting more than 150,000 tonnes of freight each year into major ports at Brisbane and Newcastle took another step close to reality on Tuesday with major stakeholders meeting together for the first time.
Fri October 1st, 2004 | DavidB | 615 reads |
WA: Miners' rail fight just not cricket
Iron ore developer Andrew Forrest hit out at rivals Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton yesterday, saying their "sledging" in a rail access dispute would make cricketers look like choirboys.
Fri October 1st, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 468 reads |
NSW: More rail woes for commuters
NSW south coast rail commuters faced more delays yesterday and early this morning, with buses replacing trains between Kiama and Bomaderry due to a broken down train.
Tue September 28th, 2004 | DavidB | | 493 reads |
Man unhurt in spectacular crash
A DRIVER escaped injury when his car rolled 30 metres down an embankment and was struck by a train in Melbourne early today.
Mon September 27th, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | 535 reads |
Rail safety good but still no breath tests
QUEENSLAND Rail has failed to implement random alcohol breath tests despite safety recommendations made two years ago following a train accident in NSW that left seven dead.
Sun September 26th, 2004 | bevans | | 475 reads |
Rail rage mounting on trains
A SURVEY has found "rail rage" is a problem, with 41 per cent of respondents saying they had witnessed physical or verbal abuse on trains.
Sat September 25th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 552 reads |
NSW: Rail services to be back on track soon
CityRail says it expects train services between Kiama and Bomaderry, in south-east NSW, will be back to normal on Monday, after buses replaced trains all this week.
Fri September 24th, 2004 | DavidB | 485 reads |
NSW: Thieves no friends of train Thomas
Richmond Vale Railway Museum operators are at a loss why anyone would want to take one of their Friends of Thomas banners that were promoting last weekend's event.
Fri September 24th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | 471 reads |
NSW: Train Late? Blame Granny
According to Transport Minister Michael Costa the elderly are now to blame for late train services, Member for Southern Highlands Peta Seaton said.
Fri September 24th, 2004 | DavidB | 473 reads |
Mystery over Benalla train derailment
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will investigate a train derailment on the Sydney to Melbourne line at Benalla.
Thu September 23rd, 2004 | James Holt | | 680 reads |
NSW: Cheaper rail prospect excites train group
A NSW north coast train lobby group says the release of a rail feasibility study has confirmed that a service can be put back on the track much cheaper than the State Government estimates.
Thu September 23rd, 2004 | DavidB | | 449 reads |
Vic: Train derailment Melbourne-bound
A train derailment in Victoria's north-east early today was expected to disrupt the passenger train service between Sydney and Melbourne.
Thu September 23rd, 2004 | DavidB | 566 reads |
Vic: Passengers welcome regular rail
The Government operated transport provider V/Line restored full train services about 10 days ago when it recommissioned a locomotive it bought from former route operators West Coast Railway. A V/Line spokeswoman said anecdotally the public response to the company's services had been very positive.
Wed September 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | 468 reads |
Tas: Concerns aired about rail line future
Concerns have been raised about how well the Scottsdale rail line in Tasmania's north-east will be maintained after TasRail suspends its service next month.
Wed September 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | 417 reads |
Downer EDI secures $250m rail deal
Engineeering group Downer EDI has secured a locomotive maintenance contract valued in excess of $250 million with Australia's largest private rail freight operator, Pacific National.
Wed September 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | 489 reads |
Vic: Passenger numbers remain low
Two months after the fanfare reopening of the Ararat to Ballarat railway line as few as 10 passengers per journey are using the service.
Wed September 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 452 reads |
Man dies at level crossing
A 33-YEAR-OLD man died when he was hit by a freight train at a level crossing in central Victoria tonight.
Tue September 21st, 2004 | Loco | 1 comment | | 432 reads |
First Australian Railway Monument sculpture erected
Australia’s only railway monument will begin to take shape on Thursday 23 September, when the first of six stainless steel sculptures representing railway workers will be set in place at the NSW railway town of Werris Creek.
Tue September 21st, 2004 | badger1/Loco | | 712 reads |
Rail tour stopped for want of engine
A Sydney based tour company has had its inaugural Darwin-bound rail tour turned back from Alice Springs for being short one locomotive.
The company, Ozback Explorer, had rented an engine to ferry 68 tourists, primarily from overseas, in heritage carriages from Sydney to Darwin.
Tue September 21st, 2004 | e1109/bevans | | 619 reads |
WA: Rail line's future still clouded
The future of the Diamond to Greenbushes railway line needed to be made clear, according to Warren-Blackwood MLA Paul Omodei. Mr Omodei said Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan needed to either confirm or deny rumours that the line was set to close.
Tue September 21st, 2004 | DavidB | | 465 reads |
Rail indecency on the rise
SEXUAL offences on the New South Wales rail system have increased by nine per cent over the past two years.
Mon September 20th, 2004 | bevans | | 453 reads |
NSW: Murwillumbah rail return costs much less
Murwillumbah rail services could be back on track within a week for a fraction of the $188 million cost claimed by the NSW Government, an independent audit has revealed.
Mon September 20th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 525 reads |
Girl hit by tram dies
A TEENAGE girl hit by a tram in north Melbourne yesterday has died in hospital.
Sun September 19th, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | | 481 reads |
Very fast rattlers
A SAFETY scare has rocked the regional fast rail project when panels peeled off a train during high-speed testing.
Note: Submitted by Nexas, published by Automated News
Sat September 18th, 2004 | James Holt | 510 reads |
Vic: Fast train loses panels at 160 km/h
V/Line has played down an incident in which two skirting panels came off a state-of-the-art fast train on Thursday as it travelled at up to 160 km/h during testing near Trafalgar, south-east of Melbourne.
Sat September 18th, 2004 | DavidB | | 510 reads |
NSW: Opposition under fire over rail report
The NSW Government has accused the Opposition of hypocrisy for not tabling in Parliament a feasibility report into the reopening of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line.
Fri September 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 925 reads |
Bracks tests Very Fast Train
VICTORIA'S first Very Fast Train was today taken for a test run under the watchful eye of Premier Steve Bracks and Transport Minister Peter Batchelor
Fri September 17th, 2004 | James Holt | 3 comments | | 1701 reads |
Train station overhaul on track
AUSTRALIA'S train stations would share in a $30 million security upgrade under a Labor Government in a bid to counter Madrid-style terror attacks.
Fri September 17th, 2004 | James Holt | | 434 reads |
WA: Barclay Mowlem to join Fortescue project
Barclay Mowlem Construction said it has signed a memorandum of understanding with China Railway Engineering Corp (CREC) for a joint venture to build Fortescue Metals Group's Pilbara railway.
Fri September 17th, 2004 | DavidB | | 511 reads |
Qld: Train collision trashes trailer
A RAAF truck driver escaped serious injury by just seconds when his semi-trailer failed to clear a level crossing at Macrossan, east of Charters Towers, and was struck by a loaded QR ballast train.
Fri September 17th, 2004 | DavidB | | 447 reads |
WA: Timber firm delivers rail ultimatum
Western Australia's biggest wood chipping company has given the State Government until the end of the year to fix the south-west rail line or expect a massive haul of woodchips by road.
Thu September 16th, 2004 | DavidB | | 514 reads |
$30m for rail security: Latham
A LABOR government would spend $30 million to boost the protection of Australia's railways and rail stations, Opposition Leader Mark Latham said toda
Thu September 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 478 reads |
Record freight moved by rail
The Australian Rail Track Corporation has made a record-breaking start to the new financial year. Adelaide-based ARTC said yesterday freight volumes in July and August were at record levels and that more strong growth would follow, thanks to an $872 million deal signed in June.
Wed September 15th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 497 reads |
WA: NCC goes to heart of Pilbara rail claim
The National Competition Council has provided some early encouragement for Andrew Forrest's Fortescue Metals in its battle to gain access to BHP Billiton's iron ore railway network in the Pilbara.
Wed September 15th, 2004 | DavidB | 488 reads |
Roads, rail funding plan
The Coalition will announce hundreds of millions of dollars in new road and rail funding today.
Wed September 15th, 2004 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 454 reads |
NSW: Debate erupts over rail line cost
An ALP candidate in the upcoming federal election says he is concerned about an independent study that suggests reopening the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line, in northern NSW, will cost a lot less than what the State Government is quoting.
Tue September 14th, 2004 | DavidB | | 457 reads |
Opposition to tram plan grows
People are continuing to sign petitions calling for a rethink of plans to extend Bendigo's tourist tram line around Lake Weeroona.
Tue September 14th, 2004 | DavidB | 444 reads |
NSW: Push to use capsicum on rail louts
Transit officers patrolling Sydney trains may be given the power to use capsicum spray on unruly passengers under a proposal being considered by RailCorp.
Tue September 14th, 2004 | DavidB | 406 reads |
NSW: Rail hub meeting called
Stakeholders, council and departmental representatives will be invited to a forum in Glen Innes on September 28 to develop a strategy to establish a rail freight hub in the town.
Fri September 10th, 2004 | DavidB | | 467 reads |
Whistleblowers bullied by rail body: Brogden
The dismissal of two State Rail employees who raised corruption allegations suggested there was an entrenched bullying attitude to whistleblowers in the NSW public service, the Opposition said.
Thu September 9th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 518 reads |
Rail row won't hit toll plan: Leighton
The fallout between construction giant Leighton and the Bracks Government over the Spencer Street Railway Station would not affect the building of Melbourne's equally controversial Mitcham-Frankston tollway, Leighton chief Wal King promised yesterday.
Wed September 8th, 2004 | DavidB | 497 reads |
Vic: Train honours fallen police
A Blue UE Ribbon Memorial Train will honour the 137 Victoria Police members who have been killed in the line of duty.
Wed September 8th, 2004 | DavidB | | 506 reads |
Canberra pledges money for NSW rail line
The federal government would provide funding to reopen and maintain a rail line on the NSW north coast, Transport Minister John Anderson says.
Tue September 7th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 577 reads |
NSW: Rail denials are repeated
Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin has again issued a denial that there are any plans to terminate City Rail services at Mt Victoria instead of Lithgow.
Tue September 7th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 497 reads |
A forgotten train driver is honoured
It was September 12, 1854, and British-born engineer William Pattison was about to enter the history books as the driver of the first Australian steam train.
Tue September 7th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 499 reads |
$10m for Pakenham rail
Federal Labor will contribute $10 million to a $25 million upgrade of the Pakenham station and railway if it wins Government.
Tue September 7th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 447 reads |
Connex chief in driver's seat for ad
Connex Australia celebrated getting an extra $165 million from the State Government to run Melbourne's train network by hiring an advertising agency part-owned by its chairman, Bob Annells, to produce a television advertisement.
Mon September 6th, 2004 | crivens/bevans | 9 comments | | 1252 reads |
Fortescue attacks BHP Billiton over rail
Mining entrepreneur Andrew Forrest on Monday ratcheted up the rhetoric against BHP Billiton as he fights for access to the iron ore giant's Pilbara rail network.
Mon September 6th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 547 reads |
Bathurst rail jobs axed
This morning 21 rail workers in Bathurst are headed to a 'careers transition centre' in Kelso - their Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) jobs in lower Keppel Street in tatters.
Mon September 6th, 2004 | DavidB | | 512 reads |
Operator off track
AN out-of-control railcar travelled through two unprotected level crossings in the Adelaide Hills after its operator got out to wash his hands, an inquiry has found.
Sun September 5th, 2004 | bevans | | 513 reads |
Pay rail owners to make money: users
Victoria's independent rail users have called on the State Government to cap track access prices and pay a subsidy if necessary to ensure competition on the state's rail network.
Fri September 3rd, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 437 reads |
RoyalAdelaide Show Train & Tram Services
Just reminder that showgrounds central station will be operation again for this years Royal Adelaide Show.
For further information and timetables visit this website:
http://www.transadelaide.com.au/special_services/show_services04_MainPage.htm
Thu September 2nd, 2004 | TA 2000/Loco | 459 reads |
NSW: Say goodbye to Gwabegar grain line
The fight to keep NSW's poorly maintained grainbelt branch lines open has copped an unexpected blow with the entire 140-kilometre Binnaway to Gwabegar line being declared unfit for use.
Thu September 2nd, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 549 reads |
Rail line wrangling continues
Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson says the New South Wales Government has passed up a chance to immediately reopen the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line in northern NSW.
Wed September 1st, 2004 | James Holt | | 439 reads |
Rail network 'needs duopoly to survive'
Funds for upgrading Australia's railways may not be available unless a duopoly is permitted similar to that in the airline industry, says Toll Holdings managing director Paul Little.
Wed September 1st, 2004 | DavidB | 5 comments | | 547 reads |
RailAmerica sells Aussie railroad
Railamerica said it agreed to sell its Freight Australia railroad unit to privately held rail operator Pacific National for $US204 million ($A292 million) as part of an effort to reduce debt.
Wed September 1st, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | 484 reads |
Union wants rail handover delayed
RAIL unionists have called on NSW Transport Minister Michael Costa to defer the start of Australian Rail Track Corporation's (ARTC) 60-year lease of railways until rail workers' futures are assured.
Wed September 1st, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 429 reads |
Costa rejects federal rail offer
The New South Wales Government has rejected an offer of $30 million from the Federal Government to reinstate the Casino to Murwillumbah rail service.
Tue August 31st, 2004 | bevans | | 492 reads |
Defending train service
EXPECTING elderly people to get on and off a train between 1 and 2am is 'just not on', NSW Liberal leader John Brogden told a group of seniors and other concerned residents at Taree Railway Station.
Tue August 31st, 2004 | bevans | | 544 reads |
Study backs rail hub at Glen Innes
A FREIGHT rail hub could be established in Glen Innes and the volume of timber freight between Armidale and Walcha could be increased, a feasibility study has found.
Tue August 31st, 2004 | bevans | 3 comments | | 628 reads |
GrainCorp weighs in on rail access
Agribusiness company GrainCorp has proposed that a new authority should control access to Victoria's rail network even though the track will be owned by Pacific National.
Tue August 31st, 2004 | bevans | 3 comments | | 464 reads |
FMG pushes rail access challenge
Iron ore newcomer Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) says the Western Australian government should be excited that it is challenging BHP Billiton over access to its rail network in the Pilbara.
Tue August 31st, 2004 | bevans | 513 reads |
Locals rail at delay
IRATE residents blocked the St Albans train line at Furlong Rd yesterday, angry at State Government inaction over a crossing upgrade.
Tue August 31st, 2004 | bevans | | 447 reads |
QR resembles an iron horse
QUEENSLAND Rail stands out like a relic from a bygone age in a business landscape brimming with competition reform and increased privatisation.
Mon August 30th, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | | 607 reads |
Transfield looking to buy
Operational and maintenance service provider Transfield Services is looking at five potential acquisitions, including French company Alstom's Australian rail engineering unit.
Sun August 29th, 2004 | James Holt | 500 reads |
Fast rail service not due to arrive until 2006
BALLARAT'S fast train has become the slow train with the 64-minute journey to Melbourne not expected to arrive for commuters until 2006.
The State Government has been accused of misleading Ballarat residents after it originally promised the service would be finished in 2005 - five years from its September 2000 pledge.
Sat August 28th, 2004 | bevans | | 539 reads |
BHP moves to protect rail network
BHP Billiton is challenging an application to the National Competition Council aimed at freeing up its extensive Pilbara rail network for use by other companies.
Sat August 28th, 2004 | bevans | | 591 reads |
Vic: Commuters warned of rail line woes
Users of the Latrobe Valley rail line may have to put up with coach services for another week in October as the State Government prepares the line for the fast rail project.
Fri August 27th, 2004 | DavidB | 531 reads |
Rail unions express their message
A small but prominently displayed message led the XPT into Orange yesterday as part of a workers' bargaining campaign.
Fri August 27th, 2004 | bevans | | 539 reads |
Man hurt after car, tram crash
A MAN was hospitalised with a suspected fractured arm and fractured leg after a collision between a car and tram in Melbourne last night.
Fri August 27th, 2004 | crivens/bevans | 1 comment | | 415 reads |
Premier backs rail jobs
PREMIER Steve Bracks has met the Rail Tram and Bus Union to discuss the future of Ballarat's ALSTOM workshops.
Fri August 27th, 2004 | bevans | | 419 reads |
Toll record as clients pay fuel bill
Toll Holdings, fresh from a record profit in 2003-04, has forecast another record in the 2004-05 financial year and allayed fears that rising oil costs will affect its performance.
Fri August 27th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | 452 reads |
Heritage listed
Visiting representatives from the Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) were caught on the hop regarding the heritage listing of the Tamworth to Wallangarra rail line at Tuesday's meeting in Tenterfield.
Thu August 26th, 2004 | bevans | | 536 reads |
NSW: Tweed Mayor backs Federal Govt rail offer
The Mayor of Tweed Shire Council in northern NSW says the Federal Government's offer of $15 million is the best way to get the Casino to Murwillumbah rail service back on track.
Thu August 26th, 2004 | DavidB | | 424 reads |
MP fears rail shake-up to cost local jobs
The Member for Warrego, Howard Hobbs, is predicting jobs will be lost in southern Queensland as part of the Government's restructure of Queensland Rail.
Wed August 25th, 2004 | bevans | | 484 reads |
Mayor welcomes iron ore talks
Local government leaders have responded favourably to news the Western Australian Government will begin negotiations with Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) to facilitate its iron ore project in the east Pilbara.
Wed August 25th, 2004 | bevans | | 393 reads |
Rail jobs on the line
The Cootamundra Herald reported in May that the jobs of rail workers were under threat from a deal struck by the Rail Infrastructure Corporation and the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).
Wed August 25th, 2004 | bevans | | 566 reads |
First Ozback train leaves tonight
Today really is D Day for the launch of the Ozback Explorer - a rail tour to Darwin and return. It is a nervous wait today for the people who have worked hard over the past year to bring an exciting new tourism venture to reality.
Tue August 24th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | 536 reads |
WA: Forrest lines up builder for Pilbara project
Andrew Forrest's grand plan to become the "third force" in Western Australia's iron-ore rich Pilbara region moved a step closer to reality after his Fortescue Metals Group signed an agreement with China's largest construction group.
Tue August 24th, 2004 | DavidB | 468 reads |
WA: Fortescue Metals gets China nod on rail push
Fortescue Metals Group chief Andrew Forrest has declared his proposed $1.85 billion independent iron ore project in the Pilbara a certainty, after China's biggest construction group agreed to fund and build a dedicated railway for the venture.
Tue August 24th, 2004 | DavidB | 480 reads |
Rail workers banned after rort reports
Two rail workers who made corruption complaints to the ICAC have been shut out of their offices and forced to undergo psychological evaluation.
Sun August 22nd, 2004 | bevans | | 620 reads |
Labor's $15m train ticket to secure a seat
Federal Labor has promised to throw $15 million at NSW's ailing country rail network to restore a train line abandoned by its state counterpart three months ago on the grounds it was a waste of money.
Sat August 21st, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | 552 reads |
TasRail hopes for pulp mill
TasRail has denied the suspension of its north-east rail service from October is a sign of things to come.
Sat August 21st, 2004 | bevans | 521 reads |
NSW: Labor plan to restore axed trains
FEDERAL Labor has promised to restore the Casino to Murwillumbah train line in northern NSW, four months after the State Government axed the service.
Fri August 20th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 482 reads |
Rail defect likely case of Pilbara derailment
The company managing Rio Tinto iron ore's rail lines in the Pilbara, in north-west Western Australia, says equipment failure rather than human error is to blame for a major derailment last week.
Fri August 20th, 2004 | DavidB | | 498 reads |
Derelict train on a fast track to nowhere
DUBBED an "eyesore" by Bobs Street residents, this derelict locomotive lies abandoned, while vandals run wild in its empty carriages, smashing windows and covering it with graffiti. The eight carriages are a far cry from their former glory, with residents living in the Bendigo street frustrated by the unsightly presence of the train on a disused train track near their homes.
Fri August 20th, 2004 | bevans | 3 comments | | 772 reads |
Call for Ballarat to get tram work
The Victorian Opposition says the State Government could push new work the way of the Ballarat railway workshops to prevent the loss of 33 jobs.
Thu August 19th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 517 reads |
Railway worker hurt on bridge job
A Queensland rail worker was seriously injured when he was struck by a load of timber being used to repair a footbridge at the Wacol railway station in Brisbane.
Thu August 19th, 2004 | bevans | | 651 reads |
NSW: Teen loses train-death appeal
A SYDNEY teenager whose drunken threats made a man run on to railway tracks where he was struck by a train has lost his appeal against his manslaughter conviction.
Thu August 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 577 reads |
Rail plan needs political will
Casey Jones-era signals north of Newcastle - a legacy of the NSW government's frugality in rail investment - keep freight trains on the Sydney-Brisbane route to a top speed of 55kmh.
Wed August 18th, 2004 | DavidB | | 624 reads |
Freight demands are on the wrong track
Freight users have demanded the Victorian government strip control of the state's regional track network from new owner Pacific National to counter the dominance the deal gives one company over the eastern seaboard's railways.
Wed August 18th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | 589 reads |
Rail bypass lease of life
The new lease for Victorias rail infrastructure provides for the removal of the rail line from the centre of Wodonga, the Victorian Transport Minister Mr Peter Batchelor said yesterday.
Wed August 18th, 2004 | DavidB | | 533 reads |
Users keep up pressure over rail access
Victoria's independent rail users have vowed to keep up the pressure on the State Government over full competition on the rail network after the $285 million sale of Freight Australia.
Wed August 18th, 2004 | bevans | 645 reads |
Iron ore train derailment under investigation
Hamersley Iron says it will take several weeks to determine what caused almost 80 wagons carrying iron ore to derail near the Yandicoogina mine, in north-west Western Australia, last week.
Tue August 17th, 2004 | bevans | | 637 reads |
Nats question rail sale
The National Party says the Victorian Government has missed its chance to take back control of regional rail, by giving the green light to the sale of Freight Australia to Pacific National.
Tue August 17th, 2004 | bevans | | 417 reads |
Rail network gains speed
WORK on Victoria's new high-speed country rail network will get back on track with a new owner.
Tue August 17th, 2004 | bevans | 449 reads |
Toll FA takeover approved
Rail venture approved
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,10467174%255E664,00.html
Trevor Chappell
17aug04
LOGISTICS companies Toll Holdings and Patrick Corp have won Victorian government approval for the their joint venture rail operation, Pacific National, to acquire Victorian rail operator Freight Australia.
Tue August 17th, 2004 | realmakoym8/jmorgan | | 481 reads |
NSW: Rural rail study
The Southern Highlands will be included in a study into the effects of rail passenger service cuts in rural New South Wales.
Fri August 13th, 2004 | DavidB | | 519 reads |
Vic: Patience while Connex gets on track
Connex will employ 108 new train drivers during the next two years in a bid to dramatically decrease train cancellations and stop paying costly fines.
Thu August 12th, 2004 | DavidB | | 538 reads |
Teen appeals over train death
CHRIS Harris was run down by a train at Redfern station as he escaped the drunken threats of a Sydney teenager who today launched an appeal against his conviction.
Wed August 11th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 574 reads |
Vic: Stranded by train turmoil
Melbourne'S train system is being gutted with hundreds of services axed and Connex paying more than $1 million a month in government penalties.
Wed August 11th, 2004 | DavidB | | 514 reads |
Railing against the system
More people should mean more trains more often, but history shows that in Sydney that has not been the case, writes Joseph Kerr.
Ninety-four years ago Sydney's rail system was facing collapse. Modern commuters, suffering through the dramas that have beset CityRail this year and last, might wonder if action was ever taken to remedy the situation.
Wed August 11th, 2004 | smeghead/bevans | 472 reads |
Stranded by train turmoil
MELBOURNE'S train system is being gutted with hundreds of services axed and Connex paying more than $1 million a month in government penalties.
Wed August 11th, 2004 | bevans | | 441 reads |
NSW Govt accused of changing train time definitions
The New South Wales Opposition has accused the Government of changing the goalposts for a second time to try to maintain what it says is the illusion that Sydney's trains are running on time.
Tue August 10th, 2004 | bevans | 410 reads |
Vic: Council fights early train times
Glenelg council is likely to lobby V/Line over its decision to introduce an earlier start for the first train out of Warrnambool to Melbourne.
Tue August 10th, 2004 | DavidB | | 547 reads |
Vic: Lobby group slams V/Line
South West Victoria's train services had suffered an "outrageous cut" from which they may never recover, a public transport users' group said yesterday.
Mon August 9th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 555 reads |
Roads, rail hit in $24.8bn infrastructure deficit
Australia has a $24.8 billion deficit in infrastructure spending by the public and private sectors, according to a survey by researchers Econotech and the Australian Council for Infrastructure Development.
Mon August 9th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 493 reads |
Mum feared rail crossing
A WOMAN killed when a train ploughed into her car held a persistent fear of being hit on a level crossing.
Crossing tragedy was not train driver's first
Sat August 7th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 639 reads |
Man falls under train
A MAN suffered shoulder and facial injuries after falling under a train in northern Sydney last night.
Sat August 7th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 542 reads |
Safety officers on Ghan
Patricia Murray died of natural causes on The Ghan last month.
Witnesses said her body was "pushed, pulled and dragged" out of the train and then dropped to the ground because there was no platform at Tennant Creek station.
And an 82-year-old woman fell to her death from the Indian Pacific after reportedly opening a door that should have been locked.
Sat August 7th, 2004 | bevans | | 532 reads |
Train delays spark compo offer
Central Victorian passengers affected by delays to train services because of a crash in Melbourne yesterday will be able to seek compensation.
Fri August 6th, 2004 | bevans | | 473 reads |
Vic: Bid to move car as train came
A MOTORIST caught on a level-crossing made a desperate attempt to drive clear seconds before an express train ploughed into it, killing all three occupants, a paramedic said today.
Fri August 6th, 2004 | DavidB | | 474 reads |
Vic: Second collision at crossing
ONLY 12 hours after a train struck a car at a railway crossing in Melbourne's west yesterday, killing three people, the same crossing was the scene of a multiple vehicle pile-up.
Fri August 6th, 2004 | DavidB | | 556 reads |
NSW: Caught in the act - bridges saved from demolition
The vigilance of a local resident has contributed to preventing the removal of the Tarban Creek Bridge after a group from the Rail Infrastructure Corporation began dismantling the bridge on Monday afternoon.
Fri August 6th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 598 reads |
Locals angry after crossing tragedy
EVERY day, milkbar owner Arif Yalinsel expected there to be a terrible accident on the level crossing at Furlong Road in St Albans.
Thu August 5th, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | | 606 reads |
Call for metro rail safety probe
A RAIL safety investigation on Victoria's country lines should be extended to the metropolitan network following a triple-fatal level crossing crash, the State Opposition said today.
Thu August 5th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 483 reads |
No more level crossings: union
VICTORIA'S train drivers union today urged the Government to stop building level crossings on new roads after the deaths of three people when a train hit a car in Melbourne's north-west.
Thu August 5th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 462 reads |
Council examines similar rail siding
A proposal for a controversial $12-million rail siding facility at Thornton is expected to come before Maitland City Council next month.
Thu August 5th, 2004 | bevans | | 538 reads |
Shakedown run sets stage for rail tours
When the Ozback Explorer train rolled back into the Lithgow station on Sunday night it was the successful prelude to the start of a new era for Lithgow tourism.
Thu August 5th, 2004 | bevans | 455 reads |
Vic: Station loses Leighton $110m
Leighton Holdings shares are set to tumble this morning after the construction group revealed that its losses on the Spencer Street railway station redevelopment project had ballooned by a further $60 million.
Thu August 5th, 2004 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 426 reads |
Union takes train company to court over safety
A LITANY of alleged safety breaches by the operator of the Indian Pacific train includes frequent cases of carriage doors being left unlocked, a court in Adelaide will hear today.
Thu August 5th, 2004 | bevans | | 508 reads |
Men plead guilty over train crash
TWO men charged over a train crash last November in Victoria's south-west, in which more than 40 people were injured, today pleaded guilty in Ballarat Magistrates Court.
Thu August 5th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 541 reads |
Rail read a big hit
Former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Tim Fischer, conducted a successful pre-launch signing of his new book, 'Transcontinental Train Odyssey: The Ghan, The Khyber, The Globe' at Lockhart Newsagency last Friday, July 30.
Wed August 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 487 reads |
Police probe rail worker death
Investigations are underway into the death of a CountryLink worker who was injured in a fight at the Taree railway station last week.
Wed August 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 404 reads |
Breakdown blow to trains
SYDNEY'S embattled Millennium trains were dealt another blow today with thousands of commuters forced to catch a bus after a train broke down in Sydney's south.
Wed August 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 458 reads |
Train safety rules changed
MELBOURNE rail operator Connex has been forced to implement new safety procedures after two trains with suspect brakes were put back into service.
Tue August 3rd, 2004 | bevans | | 474 reads |
Coroner probes rail death
A RAIL worker died six days after he was allegedly attacked by a group of teenagers he had asked to stop drinking and smoking on a train on the NSW mid-north coast.
Tue August 3rd, 2004 | deepblue/jmorgan | 521 reads |
Vic: Train drivers threaten action
VICTORIAN train drivers are threatening industrial action after their employer put back into service two trains the drivers say have defective brakes.
Tue August 3rd, 2004 | Loco | | 477 reads |
Search for tool to check train speed
RAILCORP of NSW is looking for technology to monitor train speed and help prevent tragedies such as last year's Waterfall derailment, which claimed seven lives.
Tue August 3rd, 2004 | bevans | 3 comments | | 513 reads |
Body found near outback rail line
A BODY found near a rail line in South Australia's outback today is thought to be that of an 82-year-old Sydney woman who was a passenger on the Indian Pacific.
Mon August 2nd, 2004 | bevans | | 547 reads |
Fischer favours rail as best transport choice
A double railway line between Melbourne and Sydney would serve Australia better than a six-lane Hume Highway, former deputy prime minister Mr Tim Fischer believes.
Sat July 31st, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 505 reads |
Costa has 'lost the plot'
NSW Transport Minister Michael Costa was said yesterday to have "completely lost the plot" by declaring on Wednesday that budget airline Jetstar was causing country travellers to abandon the CountryLink rail service.
Sat July 31st, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | | 544 reads |
Smartcard travel For Victorians
A new Victorian public transport smartcard system to be introduced in 2007 would make travel cheaper and easier for commuters, Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said.
Fri July 30th, 2004 | TA 2000/DavidB | | 397 reads |
Vic: Rail owner lifts heat over sale
The Victorian Govern-ment has dismissed an American rail companys efforts to rally U.S. Congressional support for the stalled $285 million sale of a freight operator.
Fri July 30th, 2004 | DavidB | 524 reads |
Vic dismisses pressure on rail deal
The Victorian government has dismissed efforts by an American rail company to rally US Congressional support for the stalled sale of an Australian freight operator.
Thu July 29th, 2004 | DavidB | | 436 reads |
Vic: Freight firm backs rail access paper
One of Victoria's biggest rail freight operators has welcomed a State Government options paper on ways of improving access to Victoria's rail network.
Thu July 29th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 468 reads |
Vic: Warrnambool rail promises
V/Line has committed to three return rail trips a day between Melbourne and Warrnambool when it takes over the franchise from West Coast Railway.
Thu July 29th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 505 reads |
Vic rail action gets US hearing
The Victorian government is being attacked in the US Congress and the US Trade Department over its "interference" in the sale of a rail network privatised by the former Liberal regime of Jeff Kennett.
Thu July 29th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 799 reads |
Vic: Access issues shadow rail deal
Pacific National could be forced to quarantine the rail track assets of acquisition target Freight Australia into a subsidiary company, under proposals released by the Victorian Government yesterday.
Thu July 29th, 2004 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 429 reads |
Victoria moves to derail lower bid from PacNat
The Victorian Government is believed to be planning legal action if Pacific National scales back its Freight Australia bid to 49 per cent to avoid having to get state approval for the deal.
Thu July 29th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 424 reads |
Political billboard reaches end of the line
The State Rail Authority of New South Wales has ordered a billboard promoting Queanbeyan-based Federal MP Gary Nairn to be pulled down because it is political advertising.
Wed July 28th, 2004 | bevans | | 435 reads |
Tunnel construction closes roads
ACCESS to Pages Beach and Point Moore from Marine Terrace will be blocked off for the next nine months as part of ongoing works for the Geraldton Southern Transport Corridor (GSTC).
Wed July 28th, 2004 | bevans | | 459 reads |
New strategies to boost NW port developments
EFFICIENT transport of people and freight across Bass Strait is vital to the future of Tasmania.
And that is the vision behind the Port of Devonport's five-year strategy.
Launched yesterday in Devonport by Infrastructure, Energy and Resources Minister Bryan Green, the strategy hopes to provide a springboard for future development at the port.
Wed July 28th, 2004 | bevans | | 422 reads |
Alarm at rush for untested rail safety scheme
Victoria's regional rail operator has accused the Bracks Government of gambling with passenger safety by opting for a multimillion-dollar fast rail warning system without carrying out a full safety assessment.
Wed July 28th, 2004 | bevans | 377 reads |
Warning of more train changes
NSW commuters were warned today to get used to changing trains mid-journey as a new weekday timetable took effect.
Tue July 27th, 2004 | bevans | | 396 reads |
No cuts to rail training
Connex has ruled out shortening the 68 weeks it takes to train new train drivers as a way of easing the driver shortage crippling Melbourne's rail network.
Tue July 27th, 2004 | bevans | | 456 reads |
Rail drivers raise fears on safety system
Freight train drivers have expressed concerns over a new automated safety system to be installed on Victoria's regional fast-rail network.
Tue July 27th, 2004 | Loco | 1 comment | | 471 reads |
Warning of more train changes
NSW commuters were warned today to get used to changing trains mid-journey as a new weekday timetable took effect.
Mon July 26th, 2004 | bevans | 399 reads |
New rail timetable working so far
CityRail says despite some minor delays this morning, the new timetable has been able to cope with peak demand, after running well all weekend.
Mon July 26th, 2004 | bevans | 401 reads |
Where's my train, Mr Costa?
A blind woman who will now be forced to spend an extra hour each day travelling to and from work has just one question for the Minister for Transport Services: "Why, Mr Costa?"
Mon July 26th, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | | 475 reads |
Alarm at rush for untested rail safety scheme
Victoria's regional rail operator has accused the Bracks Government of gambling with passenger safety by opting for a multimillion-dollar fast rail warning system without carrying out a full safety assessment.
Mon July 26th, 2004 | bevans | | 337 reads |
Train cuts going to plan: Costa
A NEW train timetable which saw massive cuts to weekend services was going to plan despite 15 formal commuter complaints, the New South Wales government said today.
Mon July 26th, 2004 | bevans | 404 reads |
Where's my train, Mr Costa?
A blind woman who will now be forced to spend an extra hour each day travelling to and from work has just one question for the Minister for Transport Services: "Why, Mr Costa?"
Sun July 25th, 2004 | James Holt | 410 reads |
Rail chaos the last straw joke
Twenty-eight years after the Wran government was elected on a platform of putting public transport right, there is precious little left to show for its promise of a "whole new railway".
If decision-makers used the service with the same dependency as the million daily commuters, they would understand this failing alone - among the myriad crises of confidence in the Carr Government - could bring the administration down.
Since the highs of the Olympics, when a focus on resources and attention to detail demonstrated achievable excellence, the rail system has staggered from deficiency to disaster, culminating in the farce of a new timetable that sees weekdays pinching from weekends and nights just to apply another Band-Aid to public transport's house of cards.
Sat July 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 484 reads |
Sydney rail commuters face delays
Sydney commuters were again warned to expect delays during today's afternoon peak as a result of a worsening driver shortage.
Fri July 23rd, 2004 | bevans | | 518 reads |
NSW: Rail cuts to bite this weekend
Sydney's rail network will shut down at least an hour earlier on most lines and passengers face longer travel times and more train swapping when weekend services are slashed tomorrow.
Fri July 23rd, 2004 | DavidB | | 394 reads |
Train driver morale at new low
Train driver morale was at "rock bottom" despite a pledge by the NSW government that a driver shortage plaguing the rail system would not worsen, their union said.
Fri July 23rd, 2004 | jmorgan | 1 comment | | 527 reads |
NSW: Rail bridge is essential
Lithgow Council has again refused approval for a major residential development at Marrangaroo until a number of issues are addressed by the developer. The biggest issue of concern to Council is the question of access over the main western railway line.
Thu July 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | 436 reads |
First inland rail link by 2006
The first link in the ambitious Melbourne to Darwin railway is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.
Thu July 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | | 476 reads |
NSW: Rail men enjoy a line out
IT LOOKS like nice work if you can get it, but don't blame the workers.
These rail workers, being paid weekend penalty rates to fix up the notoriously unreliable Blue Mountains line, were photographed instead watching the football last Sunday.
Thu July 22nd, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 494 reads |
Panic stations over CityRail driver exodus
CityRail is losing more train drivers than are graduating from its training program, six months after a critical shortage of staff nearly crippled the commuter rail network.
Thu July 22nd, 2004 | bevans | | 520 reads |
NSW: Steam dream derailed
The dream of the Ben Chifley engine and its publicly-purchased carriages operating as a tourist train on the Central Tablelands has derailed.
Wed July 21st, 2004 | DavidB | | 594 reads |
Weakest get hit by weekend rail cuts
CityRail's weekend cutbacks will hit pensioners, casual workers and young people hardest - the ones official figures show are most reliant on off-peak trains.
Wed July 21st, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 406 reads |
NSW: Rail users told to climb aboard
COUNTRY train users across the north-west are being urged to hit the rails if they want to preserve vital links to Sydney.
Tue July 20th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 534 reads |
WA: Rail accidents spark union concern
The Rail, Tram and Bus Union is concerned about three unrelated, but potentially disastrous incidents in Western Australian over the past week.
Tue July 20th, 2004 | bevans | 471 reads |
NSW: Rail service is way off track
THE litany of disasters that is CityRail continues. How one public service agency can continually get things wrong is mind-boggling.
If Waterfall and the Millennium trains – which still don't work properly – weren't enough, now the travelling public has to put up with a deteriorating service.
Tue July 20th, 2004 | bevans | 465 reads |
Train shortage warning for Games
A train driver shortage affecting the Spencer Street Station redevelopment and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of rail services could get worse by the 2006 Commonwealth Games, a union has warned.
Tue July 20th, 2004 | bevans | 443 reads |
Wodonga awaits rail line decision
The Wodonga City Council believes the Victorian Government will soon make a decision on the lease of the state's railway lines.
Mon July 19th, 2004 | bevans | | 385 reads |
NSW: $20m gravy train
NEARLY $20 million in compensation has been paid to NSW rail passengers in three years – with claims including deep vein thrombosis, chewing gum damage to trousers and spilled coffee.
Details of the payouts, obtained by The Daily Telegraph under Freedom of Information laws, has revealed RailCorp has processed 603 compensation claims since 2001.
Note: Sydney Daily Telegraph exclusive - July 19, 2004
Mon July 19th, 2004 | bevans | | 450 reads |
QLD: Old train just chew-chews up money
THERE have been times when Ken Devencorn has wondered if the Beaudesert to Bethania tourist railway line he manages in southeast Queensland is cursed.
Taxpayers probably think it is given the cost of bailing out the historic steam train has reached more than $6million.
Mon July 19th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 769 reads |
End of the line for West Coast Rail
The pioneer of the Kennett government's rail privatisation program, West Coast Railway, will close its books at the end of next month.
Mon July 19th, 2004 | bevans | | 454 reads |
VIC: Flinders St Station in decay
MELBOURNE'S Flinders St station is decaying as officials wrangle over who should maintain and repair the showpiece.
Mon July 19th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 724 reads |
Nightmare on Spencer Street
Who will accept the blame for the way
Melbourne's landmark project is
languishing? No one, it seems, writes
Ewin Hannan.
Sun July 18th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 531 reads |
Spot the train
Trainspotting is a phrase made popular by Scottish writer Irvine Welsh, whose book of the same name became the blockbuster British movie of 1996. Now Melbourne artist Daniel Crooks has taken the concept to a new realm.
Sun July 18th, 2004 | bevans | | 446 reads |
Wodonga awaits rail line decision
The Wodonga City Council believes the Victorian Government will soon make a decision on the lease of the state's railway lines.
Sun July 18th, 2004 | bevans | 365 reads |
CityRail slashes weekend train services
Cityrail station staff fear an angry customer backlash when the new train timetable begins operating on Saturday, slashing some weekend services by up to 50 per cent.
Sun July 18th, 2004 | bevans | | 427 reads |
City can't wait for trains
Melbourne's sprinter railcars should be brought to Warrnambool to return a full rail service to the city, according to Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder.
Sun July 18th, 2004 | aussiebbq/bevans | 470 reads |
WA: Railway a $2b dud
Perth business veteran Harold Clough, one of Australia's most respected engineers, has branded the Perth to Mandurah rail link a white elephant which he claims will cost taxpayers at least $2 billion.
Sat July 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 593 reads |
Vic: Council confident rail sale imminent
Wodonga council remains confident negotiations on the sale of Victorias railway lines will soon be completed. This is despite tensions erupting yesterday between the Victorian Government and the rail networks private operator, Freight Australia.
Sat July 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 405 reads |
Vic: Safety fear over fast rail project
Rails not properly anchored to sleepers and sub-standard welds that led to tracks breaking when trains passed over them had reportedly compromised safety on Victoria's new regional fast rail network.
Sat July 17th, 2004 | DavidB | 400 reads |
Vic Government defends rail inquiry
The Victorian Government has defended its decision to order the Director of Public Transport and Safety to conduct an inquiry into eight derailments on country rail tracks.
Fri July 16th, 2004 | DavidB | | 431 reads |
Vic: Safety breaches prompt country rail inquiry
The State Government has launched an inquiry into Victoria's country rail network following dozens of recent safety breaches and accidents, including derailments and collisions.
Fri July 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 470 reads |
Vic: Wodonga awaits rail line decision
The Wodonga City Council believes the Victorian Government will soon make a decision on the lease of the state's railway lines.
Fri July 16th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 436 reads |
NSW: Arrest after train disturbance
A TRAIN was evacuated after a man began threatening passengers as it travelled through Sydney's south today, police said.
Wed July 14th, 2004 | Loco | 1 comment | | 515 reads |
NSW: Wheat hopper derailed at Henty
Police were called to the Henty Railway Station to a minor derailment of a wheat carriage on the Henty north siding line at 3.45pm on Monday July 5.
Wed July 14th, 2004 | DavidB | | 504 reads |
NSW: Trains run out of drivers
CityRail was forced to cancel services for the second day in a row after running out of drivers.
Wed July 14th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 512 reads |
NSW: Gas leak evacuees go home
ABOUT 50 evacuees were allowed to return to their homes and rail services resumed after a gas pipe was ruptured today near Kiama in New South Wales.
Tue July 13th, 2004 | bevans | | 368 reads |
Adelaide-Darwin rail strategic: Hill
The largest consignment of military equipment moved by rail in two decades demonstrated the strategic value of the newly completed Adelaide-Darwin railway, Defence Minister Robert Hill said.
More than 200 army vehicles, surface-to-air missile systems and some radars were loaded in Adelaide on Monday for transportation to Darwin on the railway.
Tue July 13th, 2004 | bevans | | 480 reads |
Vic: Doubts on Warrnambool rail return
V/Line can not guarantee full rail services will return to the Warrnambool line on September 1 despite an announcement by city Mayor Glenys Phillpot last night.
Tue July 13th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 489 reads |
NSW: Smorgasbord for train spotters
The Blue Mountains Line has become more than ever a train spotters' paradise since the opening up of the NSW freight rail system to open competition.
Tue July 13th, 2004 | bevans | | 507 reads |
NSW: Travellers to face new train chaos
SYDNEY train commuters will face even more delays and cancellations this week, with RailCorp workers black-banning carriages repaired by contractors from today.
Mon July 12th, 2004 | bevans | | 467 reads |
NSW: Minister blasts rail staff workrate
RAILWAY workers threatening strike action over government moves to increase private contractors were not doing their jobs well enough, New South Wales Transport Minister Michael Costa said today.
Mon July 12th, 2004 | bevans | | 445 reads |
NSW: Rail job losses to cost $5.7m
Rail job losses will be felt across the board in the Goulburn area from September 4 when the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) starts a 60-year lease agreement to control the NSW interstate rail network.
Mon July 12th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 448 reads |
Rail return seen as tourism winner
The Victorian Government is hailing the return of passenger rail services to Ararat after 10 years as a bonus for tourism in the region.
Mon July 12th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 400 reads |
NSW train workers threaten action
NSW train maintenance workers are threatening to stop doing repairs on some trains in protest over government moves to increase private contractors in the sector.
Mon July 12th, 2004 | DavidB | | 371 reads |
Solid Energy to ship more
Solid Energy is to bring on an extra coal train each day, which will boost its West Coast distribution capacity from 2.1 million tonnes to 2.4 million tonnes a year and create several new jobs.
Sun July 11th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 432 reads |
Rural residents welcome train
RESIDENTS of the western Victorian township of Ararat and surrounding communities have welcomed the return of passenger rail services with the first passenger train in more than a decade rolling into town today.
Sun July 11th, 2004 | James Holt | | 445 reads |
Rail service off track: Napthine
WARRNAMBOOL'S rail system is unreliable and unsafe, member for South West Coast Denis Napthine says.
Dr Napthine is calling for the State Government to take over the service from West Coast Rail immediately, after timetable confusions and passengers have been frightened with fights.
Sat July 10th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 473 reads |
Lithgow to Darwin rail link
An important new role for Lithgow in international tourism opens next month when the first Ozback Explorer Railcruising Experience train pulls out of this city to follow a meandering route across much of Australia.
Sat July 10th, 2004 | bevans | 510 reads |
Ararat sleepers awake to new sound
Train services will return to Ararat and Beaufort this weekend, more than 10 years after the line was closed.
Sat July 10th, 2004 | James Holt | 2 comments | | 484 reads |
PacNat's bid for Freight Aust may go off the rails
Within the next week or so Toll Holdings' Paul Little and Patrick Corp's Chris Corrigan will know whether their $285 million bid for Victoria's country rail freight operator, Freight Australia, has succeeded. If it doesn't, it could get ugly.
Sat July 10th, 2004 | James Holt | | 496 reads |
Heritage nod for Pt Fairy railway shed
In just a few months the Port Fairy railway goods shed has gone from near demolition to being labelled of state cultural heritage significance.
Fri July 9th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | 411 reads |
Truckie awaits level crossing crash committal hearing
A Wodonga truck driver accused of causing a steam train smash that killed three passengers, will have to wait more than two months before he finds out if he will have to stand trial.
Note: (from site administrator) Since charges have been laid and the committal hearing has commenced, it is not appropriate to comment on this story.
Fri July 9th, 2004 | James Holt | 441 reads |
Rail back on track
RAIL services will return to Ballarat today following a $130,000 upgrade of the Ballarat-Melbourne line.
Thu July 8th, 2004 | aussiebbq/Loco | 503 reads |
VIC: New fines for fare dodgers start
FARE evaders face stiff fine increases from next week, with even bigger fines for repeat offenders.
Note: Submitted by joffie, published by Automated News
Thu July 8th, 2004 | James Holt | 1 comment | 450 reads |
Victorian rail terminal operators fear PN monopoly
Operators of Victorian country rail terminals want the State Government to ensure their businesses are not destroyed and a monopoly created if Pacific National takes over Freight Australia.
Thu July 8th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 448 reads |
First inland rail link by 2006
THE first link in the ambitious Melbourne to Darwin railway is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.
Thu July 8th, 2004 | James Holt | 3 comments | | 1210 reads |
PacNat threatens to derail deal
Pacific National has threatened to withdraw from the $285 million deal to buy Victorian rail operator Freight Australia if the State Government tries to buy back the rail track.
Wed July 7th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 522 reads |
Whistle preceded crash: Witnesses tell court of steam trains blasts
A steam train whistled “heaps” of times before it collided with the trailer of a B-double truck, a former Benalla man told Wangaratta Court yesterday.
Note: (from site administrator) Since charges have been laid and the committal hearing has commenced, it is not appropriate to comment on this story.
Wed July 7th, 2004 | DavidB | 621 reads |
Man falls off train in tunnel
A MAN fell from a peak-hour train this afternoon, forcing the closure of a railway line in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Wed July 7th, 2004 | bevans | | 482 reads |
Toll, Patrick wait for approval
TOLL Holdings and Patrick Corp will have to wait at least another week to find out if their joint venture rail business, Pacific National, will be allowed to acquire Freight Australia.
Tue July 6th, 2004 | DavidB | | 418 reads |
Steam 'killed three in train smash'
THREE people travelling home from a wedding were killed by steam when an historic train collided with a truck at a level crossing, a court was told today
Note: (from site administrator) Since charges have been laid and the committal hearing has commenced, it is not appropriate to comment on this story.
Mon July 5th, 2004 | bevans | | 680 reads |
Council hopes $5.7m rail project can move on
The City of Ballarat is confident the sale of Freight Australia will pave the way for the relocation of Ballarat's freight centre from the city centre to Walsh Estate in Wendouree.
Mon July 5th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 503 reads |
Competition is a matter of access
The Victorian Government has confirmed plans to revamp the Victorian Rail Access Regime. Treasurer Mr John Brumby and Transport Minister Mr Peter Batchelor announced the revamp following the Australian Comp-etition and Consumer Commis-sions decision not to oppose the sale of Freight Australia to Pacific National.
Mon July 5th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 426 reads |
Dont delay FA sale: van Onselen
Freight Australia has called on the Victorian Government to follow the ACCC and approve the sale to Pacific National.
Mon July 5th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 496 reads |
Connex warns: year of rail delays ahead
The spate of train cancellations on Melbourne's rail network will continue for at least another year, Connex has warned.
Sun July 4th, 2004 | James Holt | | 506 reads |
Missing boy found safe
A 10-year-old Korean boy who went missing in Sydney's west has been found unharmed, police said today.
Sat July 3rd, 2004 | bevans | 426 reads |
Bus strike slows Sydney commuters
Thousands of commuters faced lengthy delays this morning when strike action stopped 1,200 public buses in Sydney and Newcastle.
Sat July 3rd, 2004 | bevans | | 493 reads |
Fox rival wins go-ahead
DESPITE objections from Lindsay Fox's transport group, Linfox, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission yesterday granted its rail rivals clearance to buy Freight Australia.
Sat July 3rd, 2004 | bevans | | 484 reads |
Watchdog unlocks rail deal
PACIFIC National's plans to develop a national rail freight network gathered steam today after getting the OK from the competition watchdog to buy Freight Australia.
Fri July 2nd, 2004 | bevans | | 562 reads |
Bus, train drivers threaten strike
SYDNEY commuters could face more traffic chaos after bus and train drivers said they would consider strike action if concerns over rostering and pay were not addressed.
Tue November 30th, 1999 | bevans | 201 reads |
Feature: Australian Railfreight Gets A Major Boost
Australia’s rail network has received a major boost through the allocation of extra funds from the national budget, the AusLink strategy, and the leasing of interstate and coal lines in New South Wales to Australian Rail Track Corporation. This will have major benefits for railfreight in Australia.
Fri July 2nd, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 468 reads |
Hope remains for rail jobs
Things may be looking up for many of the southern NSW region's rail workers, after recent talks between their union and the NSW Government.
Fri July 2nd, 2004 | bevans | 624 reads |
ACCC won't oppose takeover
The competition watchdog says it will not oppose Pacific National's $285 million acquisition of Victorian rail operator Freight Australia.
Fri July 2nd, 2004 | bevans | | 402 reads |
End to 'disastrous' New Zealand rail privatisation
New Zealand's rail network has been re-nationalised, with the government pledging to invest almost $US130 million over the next four years on trains and track upgrades.
Fri July 2nd, 2004 | James Holt | 1 comment | 452 reads |
Vic Fast Rail project gains speed
A group f manufacturing firms, operating under the banner of the Australian Rail Manufacturers consortium, has won an $18m supply contract in connection with the Victorian Fast Rail Project.
Thu July 1st, 2004 | DavidB | | 502 reads |
Ararat trains set to return
Trains will once again roll out between Ballarat and Ararat next week after a 10-year absence. Twice-daily passenger services will return to the line on July 11- a year behind schedule - after an $8 million works project to revive the line.
Thu July 1st, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 594 reads |
Govt under fire over road-rail
The WA Government is under fire over its slow progress on the implementation of the road-to-rail Albany Heavy Freight Forum Action Plan.
Thu July 1st, 2004 | DavidB | | 389 reads |
Passenger rail announcement on track
The Victorian Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor, is due to make an announcement today about the return of passenger rail to the Ballarat to Ararat line.
Wed June 30th, 2004 | James Holt | 1 comment | | 488 reads |
Train graffiti 'to go in 24 hours'
THE NSW Government will push to have all graffiti on trains removed within 24 hours, to deprive vandals of a "perverse pleasure" in exhibiting their work.
Tue June 29th, 2004 | bevans | | 855 reads |
All aboard for rail trip with difference
AN almost-forgotten chapter of bush racing history was resurrected on Saturday when more than 300 racegoers journeyed from Moree to Talmoi picnic races at Garah in grand style.
Mon June 28th, 2004 | bevans | | 564 reads |
Girl's arm severed by tram
A GIRL'S arm was severed when she was hit by a tram in Melbourne's south-east this morning.
Mon June 28th, 2004 | jmorgan | 2 comments | | 515 reads |
Rail stations terror alert
SECURITY at Melbourne's train stations will be tightened to protect against terrorist attack.
Mon June 28th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 571 reads |
Ghan breaks own length record
Australia's longest passenger train, the Ghan, just got longer - and it will take 1,000 bottles of wine and 80 kilograms of barramundi to keep its travellers happy.
Sun June 27th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | 540 reads |
There's trouble down the track
It has so far gone largely unnoticed but, for almost nine months, the Bracks Government has been locked in a bitter and potentially disastrous battle with one of the state's most important transport operators.
Sun June 27th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 559 reads |
More rail delays expected
Passengers on the train services from Bairnsdale to Melbourne are likely to experience continuing delays for at least the next two months.
Sat June 26th, 2004 | bevans | | 431 reads |
Private sector rides rail reform
More than 100 local and international companies are expected to bid for the NSW government's $1.5 billion public-private partnership that seeks to modernise Sydney's ailing rail network by replacing most of the state's antiquated rolling stock.
The NSW government has fast-tracked the PPP, one of the state's largest, by simultaneously calling for private-sector financial companies to advise it on the PPP as well as companies capable of designing, building and operating the rolling stock.
Fri June 25th, 2004 | freightgate/bevans | 740 reads |
$2 for $90m lease
THE US owner of Victoria's rail freight operations is threatening to sue after the State Government offered it $2 for a track lease it paid $90 million for.
Fri June 25th, 2004 | James Holt | | 468 reads |
Ararat rail training set to start
The return of passenger railservices to Ararat has moved one step closer with Minister for Transport Peter Batchelor announcing V/Line drivers will start training on the new Ararat railway line next week.
Fri June 25th, 2004 | DavidB | | 407 reads |
Tram drivers return to work
Tram drivers have returned to work in the city and Melbourne's east after calling a snap strike this morning.
Thu June 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 429 reads |
Rail workers rally over jobs
RAIL track workers and their families from Tamworth and surrounding communities braved freezing winds on the weekend to rally against a proposed mass job loss for the area.
Thu June 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 438 reads |
Bomb scare disrupts commuters
MELBOURNE to Bendigo trains were interrupted for several hours yesterday because of a bomb scare at Sunshine Station.
Thu June 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 567 reads |
Fiji approves Pacific Blue airline
Virgin Blue Holdings' Asia Pacific carrier, Pacific Blue, has approval from the Fiji government to start flights in September.
Wed June 23rd, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 442 reads |
Teachers 'heroes' after crash
FOUR Bendigo teachers have been hailed as heroes for their actions following a collision between a commuter train and a maintenance truck at Elphinstone on Friday.
Wed June 23rd, 2004 | bevans | | 582 reads |
Rail service stumbles on
Warrnambool's crippled rail service forced Port Fairy's Wilma Preston to endure a torturous six-and-a-half hour trip home from Melbourne on Friday.
Tue June 22nd, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 510 reads |
Rail freight set to hit three million tonnes
Up to three million tonnes of freight could be moved on the Adelaide to Darwin railway each year, it was claimed last night.
Note: Generated from automated news module. Acknowledgement to Shacks
Tue June 22nd, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 540 reads |
Signal from bush: maintain the rail
NSW Treasurer Michael Egan is under intense pressure from within Labor ranks to pump more money into country rail services after the NSW Country Labor conference passed a motion yesterday calling for the reinstatement of the Casino to Murwillumbah line.
Mon June 21st, 2004 | DavidB | 466 reads |
Ballarat: Rail services back to normal
V/LINE passenger train services will return to normal timetables from today.
Trains will run on all scheduled services to and from Bacchus Marsh, while coaches will continue to operate to and from Ballarat and Ballan.
Mon June 21st, 2004 | bevans | | 428 reads |
AusLink at a crossroad
Making private investment in transport viable calls for a clearer federal stance, Philip Hopkins reports.
Sun June 20th, 2004 | bevans | | 466 reads |
Bathurst rail secure in 'short-term'
The future of CountryLink passenger rail service between Bathurst and Sydney is secure in the "short-term”, Transport Minister Michael Costa said.
Sun June 20th, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | | 524 reads |
Rail union to meet with Costa
A protest outside the New South Wales Country Labor conference in Bathurst has resulted in rail union officials gaining a meeting with Transport Minister Michael Costa.
Sun June 20th, 2004 | bevans | 435 reads |
Rail workers caught in restructure
The State Rail Authority will be undergoing a major restructure over the next four years with workers being caught in the middle of this transition.
Sat June 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 421 reads |
Rail union says 200 Hunter jobs could go
A Newcastle rail union official says the takeover of freight lines in the Hunter Valley by the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) could cost up to 200 jobs in the region.
Sat June 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 370 reads |
Baan Baa rail crash fight off to Costa
A GRIEVING Robert Jeffries will take his fight for justice for the tragic death of ex-wife Phyllis directly to Transport Minister Michael Costa next month.
Sat June 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 583 reads |
Another train crash? Not again!
A TEAM of maintenance workers leapt to safety moments before a passenger train smashed into their truck at Elphinstone yesterday.
Sat June 19th, 2004 | bevans | | 463 reads |
Fast rail criticism reignited
YESTERDAY'S train collision has sparked further controversy over the State Government's proposed fast rail project. Bendigo's Better Rail Action Group claims the incident highlights the potential for lengthy delays and inconvenience to passengers if there is only a single rail line.
Sat June 19th, 2004 | bevans | | 413 reads |
Leap for life to escape train
THE driver of a railway track maintenance truck leapt for his life as a train bore down upon him in central Victoria this morning.
Fri June 18th, 2004 | James Holt | | 429 reads |
Poor transport leaves fringe on outer
People living in growing outer suburbs risked social isolation if public transport was not improved, advocacy groups warn.
Melbourne's fringe areas could become too polluted and home to unemployed, obese and depressed people if the State Government failed to improve public transport.
The Coalition for People's Transport, which includes the Victorian Council of Social Service, Environment Victoria, VicHealth, local government groups and disability advocates, has called on the Government to urgently fund public transport projects.
Thu June 17th, 2004 | vanessa/jmorgan | | 410 reads |
Forrest expects swift rail ruling
Mining entrepreneur Andrew Forrest expects the National Competition Council (NCC) to rule within weeks on an application seeking access to BHP Billiton's Pilbara rail lines - providing the bid is not blocked by the iron ore giant.
Wed June 16th, 2004 | James Holt | | 480 reads |
Freight Australia Derailment in central victoria
The rail line affected by the freight train derailment in Central Victoria late Thursday night should be re-opened by Sunday afternoon, the Chief Executive of Freight Australia, Mr Marinus van Onselen, said today.
Tue June 15th, 2004 | vanessa/Loco | 2 comments | | 642 reads |
Democrats seek central Qld train funds
The Australian Democrats are seeking financial backing from the Federal Government's AusLink program for a passenger train service between Rockhampton and Yeppoon.
Tue June 15th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 498 reads |
Train driver takes holiday brake
CityRail called on police to intervene yesterday when the driver of a city-bound Tangara stopped his train between stations for half an hour, complaining that a two-way radio was faulty.
Tue June 15th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 546 reads |
Steam visitor recalls citys past
A railway icon steamed into Albury on Saturday afternoon offering people a chance to ride in a historic steam train.
Mon June 14th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 500 reads |
Council pursues plan to buy State Rail car park
Orange City Council will pursue the possible purchase of a car park from State Rail, even though it has been angered by the authority's response to its initial purchase inquiries.
Mon June 14th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 485 reads |
Miraculous escape from train crash
It was miraculous nobody was killed in a crash between a passenger train and a truck in northern Victoria, police said.
Mon June 14th, 2004 | James Holt | 2 comments | 643 reads |
Costa urged to face north coast rail probe
There are demands for NSW Transport Minister Michael Costa to give evidence to an Upper House inquiry into the axing of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line.
Mon June 14th, 2004 | jrobbo/James Holt | 377 reads |
Level heads needed at rail crossings
A campaign is to highlight the dangers of not stopping at railway crossings. The campaign, developed by the Road Safety Task Force in partnership with ATN Tasrail, will include a series of television advertisements starting tomorrow on Southern Cross.
Sun June 13th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | 437 reads |
Rail bureaucrats cash in as service crisis mounts
The NSW Opposition has called for a public audit of the salaries paid to the state's senior rail bureaucrats after documents revealed more than 40 are receiving in excess of $150,000 a year.
Sun June 13th, 2004 | DavidB | 411 reads |
Teenager tried to hijack train
A TEENAGE train buff staged his own version of the Great Train Robbery when he was caught trying to steal a Melbourne commuter train while dressed as a Connex driver and carrying an official set of keys.
Sun June 13th, 2004 | jmorgan | 5 comments | | 1223 reads |
Inquiry told 40 jobs lost following rail line closure
A parliamentary inquiry has been told 40 full time jobs have been axed as a result the closure of the Casino to Murwillumbah train service in northern New South Wales.
Sat June 12th, 2004 | James Holt | | 470 reads |
Derailment probed
FREIGHT Australia is investigating the cause of a train derailment in central Victoria, in which 15 carriages left the tracks, spilling grain and causing extensive damage.
Sat June 12th, 2004 | James Holt | | 516 reads |
Buzz for train buffs
BORDER train buffs will have the opportunity to experience a ride on the steam locomotive, the 3801, when it travels to Albury from Sydney this weekend
Sat June 12th, 2004 | James Holt | 477 reads |
Patrick, Toll on track for rail-road boom
Patrick Corp and Toll Holdings shares climbed higher yesterday, as the market continued to digest the benefits of the Federal Government's biggest rail funding splurge since World War II.
Thu June 10th, 2004 | DavidB | | 466 reads |
V/Line moves in
The company that helped save the Melbourne to Warrnambool rail line a decade ago is bowing out of the service and will be permanently replaced by the state-owned V/Line.
Thu June 10th, 2004 | DavidB | 554 reads |
AusLink fails regional rail network: councils
The Federal Government's AusLink program has pushed forward standardisation of Victoria's broad-gauge rail network - but not far enough for the local councils affected by it.
Thu June 10th, 2004 | DavidB | | 408 reads |
On-time train targets 'impossible'
The NSW rail safety regulator has found that the government's targets for on-time running are too tight and impossible to meet.
Thu June 10th, 2004 | DavidB | 427 reads |
Rail operator quits
WEST Coast Railway has become the latest private operator to bail out of the public transport system.
The Geelong-based company yesterday announced it would hand over the Melbourne to Warrnambool rail service to V/Line when its contract expires at the end of August.
Thu June 10th, 2004 | Loco | 478 reads |
Govt defends one rail plan
The Victorian Government has rejected Opposition claims that passenger services will decline with one operator running all of Victoria's regional rail services.
Wed June 9th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 454 reads |
Beer nannies ale roving rail workers
GUESS which State Government department is asking its workers to abstain from alcohol but is putting them up in pubs when they are on overnight jobs?
Wed June 9th, 2004 | bevans | 430 reads |
Rail agreement Brings Benefits
Member for Farrer, Mrs Sussan Ley, welcomed the signing of the historic rail agreement between NSW and Australian Governments on June 4, saying that it will have huge benefits for rural travellers.
Wed June 9th, 2004 | DavidB | | 430 reads |
Opposition leader presented with rail line closure letters
NSW Leader of The Nationals, Andrew Stoner, has been presented with more than 1,600 letters protesting the Carr Labor Government's plans to shut down grain rail lines by the Federal Member for Parkes, John Cobb.
Wed June 9th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 428 reads |
Patrick, Toll on track for rail-road boom
Patrick Corp and Toll Holdings shares climbed higher yesterday, as the market continued to digest the benefits of the Federal Government's biggest rail funding splurge since World War II.
Wed June 9th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 518 reads |
Package's funding 'off target'
The developer of the proposed inland railway between Melbourne and Brisbane has criticised the lack of support it received from the Federal Government's AusLink package.
Wed June 9th, 2004 | bevans | | 443 reads |
AusLink fails regional rail network: councils
The Federal Government's AusLink program has pushed forward standardisation of Victoria's broad-gauge rail network - but not far enough for the local councils affected by it.
Wed June 9th, 2004 | bevans | | 413 reads |
Duplication of rail line to Stratford
The Coalition Government has recognised the importance of the Pacific Highway, New England Highway, the F3 Branxton link and Hunter rail, by making them a key part of its visionary land transport plan, AusLink.
Tue June 8th, 2004 | bevans | | 573 reads |
Rail standardisation funds just the start
Victorian Transport Minister Peter Batchelor says the Federal Government's promised $20 million for rail standardisation between Geelong and Mildura is only the beginning of the project.
Tue June 8th, 2004 | bevans | | 555 reads |
Anthony champions northern rail link
The Federal Member for the northern New South Wales seat of Richmond says he hopes a multi-billion dollar project to improve the nation's road and rail system will convince the NSW Government it should restore the Casino to Murwillumbah rail link.
Tue June 8th, 2004 | bevans | | 453 reads |
Editorial: First steps towards efficient transport
John Anderson promises a land transport revolution the equivalent of two Snowy Mountains schemes. But given the time Australian governments traditionally take to finish roads and railways, this new project will likely seem to take as long to build as the Snowys. Not the hydro-electric project, the mountains.
Tue June 8th, 2004 | DavidB | 3 comments | 451 reads |
Dubbo centre of new rail link
Dubbo is set to become one of the nation's major transport hubs under an $11.8 billion plan released by the Federal Government yesterday.
Tue June 8th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | 559 reads |
Rail boost will ease road jams
A PUBLIC project rivalling Australia's ambitious Snowy Mountain Scheme will overhaul freight-carrying on the east coast.
Tue June 8th, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | | 431 reads |
Damaged train to undergo repairs
West Coast Railway plans to have one of its damaged locomotives repaired and back in service early next month, after a safety alert forced the trains off the rails two weeks ago.
Mon June 7th, 2004 | bevans | | 455 reads |
On the right road to better rail
The elevation of Footscray Road, which will dramatically expand Port of Melbourne capacity and efficiency, is a key project in the Federal Government's $1.9 billion AusLink program to be launched today.
Mon June 7th, 2004 | bevans | 2 comments | | 478 reads |
Transport plan a bribe: Labor
The Federal Government's $11.8 billion national transport plan was a half-baked vote buying exercise, opposition transport spokesman Martin Ferguson said today.
Mon June 7th, 2004 | DavidB | | 416 reads |
$11.8b pledged to road and rail program
An $11.8 billion AusLink plan would help address Australia's land transport needs which have increased due to rapid economic growth, federal Transport Minister John Anderson said today.
Mon June 7th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 438 reads |
On the right road to better rail
The elevation of Footscray Road, which will dramatically expand Port of Melbourne capacity and efficiency, is a key project in the Federal Government's $1.9 billion AusLink program to be launched today.
It would allow full integration between the docks and the Dynon rail precinct, creating what Patrick Corp chief executive Chris Corrigan last month said would be a world-class transport hub.
Mon June 7th, 2004 | DavidB | 4 comments | | 593 reads |
Two charged over train assault
POLICE have charged two more men in relation to an assault at a Melbourne railway station on Friday night which left two men in hospital.
Sun June 6th, 2004 | bevans | | 470 reads |
Deputy PM to make Coffs visit
Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson is to make a whistle-stop visit to the the mid north coast region of New South Wales next week after the Commonwealth makes a major pre-election announcement on road and rail infrastructure.
Sun June 6th, 2004 | bevans | | 375 reads |
Rail chiefs ask for $355m extra
Senior managers have asked for $355 million more than they have been allocated in their budgets to run the state's troubled rail network.
Sun June 6th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 481 reads |
Rail deal brings 50 new SA jobs
MORE than 50 new Adelaide jobs are expected to follow yesterday's signing of an $872 million deal to increase Australian Rail Track Corporation's management of national rail lines.
The agreement by the Federal and New South Wales governments and ARTC gives the company a 60-year lease of major NSW rail lines.
Adelaide-based ARTC will also manage secondary NSW lines for the NSW Government.
Sat June 5th, 2004 | bevans | | 463 reads |
Miners hail freight deal
THE mining industry yesterday welcomed a landmark agreement to transfer the NSW freight lines to commonwealth control - and a promise to overhaul a costly Hunter Valley rail bottleneck.
Under the deal announced yesterday, the Hunter Valley line, which was designed more than a century ago, gets a $170 million upgrade to lift the capacity of the gateway to the lucrative coal fields.
Sat June 5th, 2004 | bevans | | 447 reads |
Train passenger in court after drugs find
An Indian Pacific train passenger has appeared in Broken Hill Local Court in western New South Wales after up to $23,000 worth of marijuana and amphetamines were found in his luggage.
Fri June 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 418 reads |
Govt moves to boost rail freight
The Federal Government is planning to dramatically increase the amount of freight travelling by rail across Australia.
Fri June 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 434 reads |
Toll doesnt fear Fox
LOGISTICS group Toll Holdings Ltd is confident that a $285 million acquisition of Victorian rail operator Freight Australia will proceed despite an objection to the competition watchdog from trucking magnate Mr Lindsay Fox.
Pacific National, the rail company jointly owned by Toll and stevedore Patrick Corp Ltd, reached agreement to buy Freight Australia from RailAmerica Inc in March.
Fri June 4th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 452 reads |
Rail merger case queried
THE competition regulator will for the first time reveal its reasons for allowing or rejecting a merger proposal next week when it rules on the acquisition of Victorian rail operator Freight Australia by Pacific National.
Fri June 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 429 reads |
$432 million more for WA roads and rail
THE federal government will put $432 million into road and rail projects in Western Australia under its new national transport network, AusLink.
Fri June 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 483 reads |
Concern for missing diabetic
A 23-YEAR-OLD insulin dependant man with the mental capacity of a 10-year-old is missing after he boarded a train at Sydney's central railway station.
Fri June 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 390 reads |
ACCC looking at Pacific National purchase of Freight Australia
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission said Thursday it is examining rail joint venture Pacific National's planned acquisition of Freight Australia.
But the competition watchdog wouldn't confirm a newspaper report that privately held transport group Linfox has submitted an objection to the ACCC over the proposed purchase.
Thu June 3rd, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 569 reads |
Linfox opposes Pacific National purchase of Freight Australia
Toll Holdings Limited is facing pressure from prominent Australian businessman Lindsay Fox after rumors arose reporting that the trucking magnate’s private company Linfox had launched an appeal to the ACCC objecting Toll’s proposed rail joint venture with Patrick Corporation. The previously announced Pacific National joint venture involves the proposed purchase of Freight Australia from RailAmerica Inc.
Thu June 3rd, 2004 | DavidB | | 563 reads |
Public input sought for rail timetables
V/Line will establish focus groups shortly of residents living between Ballan and Ararat, to help in drawing up the timetable for passenger trains on the Ballarat to Ararat line.
Thu June 3rd, 2004 | DavidB | | 419 reads |
Probe into railway death
A railway maintenance contractor died when a train struck him at Camberwell yesterday.
Wed June 2nd, 2004 | DavidB | | 512 reads |
Runaway train leaves a trail of red faces
THEY say a good tradesman never blames his tools.
Rail maintenance workers at Adelaide's Mt Lofty yesterday didn't have a choice - their tool, a 15m ballast regulator, simply took off on an unmanned 7km journey.
Wed June 2nd, 2004 | bevans | | 513 reads |
Man killed by moving train
MAN was struck and killed by a train at Camberwell in Melbourne's east this morning.
A WorkCover spokesman said initial reports suggested a man in his 40s, possibly a track maintenance worker, was struck by a train near Riversdale station, on the Alamein line, about 9.40am (AEST).
He said WorkCover inspectors were on their way to the scene.
Wed June 2nd, 2004 | bevans | | 518 reads |
Rail safety review to get top priority
The Waterfall rail disaster commissioner, Peter McInerney, having conducted two rail disaster inquiries and heard a litany of mismanagement, is determined to leave behind him a series of rapid and lasting changes.
Tue June 1st, 2004 | DavidB | 455 reads |
Dog's disguise fails
A teenager who dyed his dog after using it as a "dangerous weapon" during a robbery failed to fool police who found photos of the dog in its original colours.
Mon May 31st, 2004 | bevans | | 542 reads |
Alternate Warrnambool rail arrangements continue
Replacement services for West Coast Rail trains between Melbourne and Warrnambool will continue until Friday using V/Line locomotives for four services, and road coaches for the other two off peak services.
Mon May 31st, 2004 | DavidB | | 556 reads |
Fast track to the bush
The Bombardier V'Locity trains, which is capable of up to 160km/h, will be on the rails next month.
Mon May 31st, 2004 | DavidB | | 494 reads |
Hidden costs of fast-rail project delay
The State Government faces expensive claims from the builders of its regional fast-rail links, forced to stand down workers because of long delays in getting track designs approved, documents reveal.
Mon May 31st, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 470 reads |
All aboard model train
ORANGE'S model railway in Matthews Park is set to grow in popularity after the official opening of the bridge and track extensions on Saturday, with the railway now taking up a large section of the park.
Sun May 30th, 2004 | bevans | | 584 reads |
Bay line in $16m blowout
THE State Government has been accused of poor planning amid a $16 million cost increase for the proposed Glenelg light-rail project.
Sun May 30th, 2004 | bevans | | 534 reads |
Rail workers join march
NORTHERN rail workers will join other Rail Infrastructure Co-operation (RIC) employees in a march on Bathurst to raise public awareness of railway job losses.
Sat May 29th, 2004 | bevans | 453 reads |
Rail chief resists Waterfall conclusions
The boss of Sydney's rail network has clashed heatedly with the former judge examining the Waterfall disaster and appears set to oppose the inquiry's key recommendations on safety.
Sat May 29th, 2004 | bevans | | 475 reads |
West Coast regrets train safety disruptions
West Coast Railway says it is regrettable that seven of its trains have failed safety checks and train services between Warrnambool and Melbourne could be disrupted for some weeks.
Fri May 28th, 2004 | DavidB | 497 reads |
WCR services under cloud
West Coast Railway's services may be disrupted for months after stress fractures were found in seven of its 10 locomotives. Safety checks ordered by the Director of Public Transport and Safety last Friday found the company's seven S and B class Clyde locomotives needed repairs.
Fri May 28th, 2004 | DavidB | | 553 reads |
Fight to keep rail access for Manning
It is time to go forwards with rail development, not backwards, according to Manning Valley Branch of the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association.
Fri May 28th, 2004 | DavidB | 488 reads |
WCR fleet off the rails
West Coast Railway was unable to say yesterday when passenger services to Warrnambool would return to normal. West Coast's entire fleet of 10 locomotives will have to undergo repair works before they are allowed back on the tracks.
Fri May 28th, 2004 | DavidB | 448 reads |
Rail line inquiry head urges public comment
The head of a New South Wales Parliamentary inquiry into the closure of the Casino to Murwillumbah rail link is reminding people they only have a week to submit their comments.
Fri May 28th, 2004 | DavidB | | 417 reads |
Mandurah rail contract in place
THIRTY months is the deadline the State Government has given for trains to roll into the Mandurah train station.
Thu May 27th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 832 reads |
Union partly happy with train assurances
The Shoalhaven Group of Unions says it is partly satisfied with assurances from RailCorp and officials from the Ministry of Transport that there are no plans to phase out train services between Kiama and Bomaderry.
Thu May 27th, 2004 | DavidB | 430 reads |
Boree Creek Express to run June long weekend
Under the auspices of 3801 Limited, The Boree Creek Branch Unlimited Express will run on Saturday, June 12, 2004. It will be the first passenger train down the Branch Line in nine months.
Wed May 26th, 2004 | bevans | | 564 reads |
$35k of marijuana found on train
A MAN will appear in a Sydney court today after cannabis worth $35,000 was found on a train travelling from Victoria to Queensland.
Tue May 25th, 2004 | bevans | 489 reads |
Rail trail proves major attraction
A VISITOR survey during Easter has confirmed the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail is one of Victorias leading attractions.
The traffic count found 7596 people had cycled the trail on Saturday and Sunday of the Easter long weekend.
Mon May 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 503 reads |
Vic: 700 train faults in three months
Broken down trains are the main reason angry commuters have been left waiting on platforms this year. Train faults saw almost 700 scheduled weekday services scratched during the first three months of the year.
Mon May 24th, 2004 | DavidB | | 439 reads |
Rail transportation likely for toxic waste
Environment Victoria says it is confident the Victorian Government will opt for rail transportation to a proposed site for a toxic waste dump in country Victoria.
Mon May 24th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 537 reads |
RailLink wins WA rail project
RailLink Joint Venture, a consortium of Macmahon Holdings, John Holland and Multiplex Constructions, said it won the biggest single contract of Western Australia's 70-kilometre Southern Suburbs Railway project.
Mon May 24th, 2004 | DavidB | | 574 reads |
Businesses sign $310m WA rail contract
The final phase of the Perth to Mandurah railway line has been locked in, with the Western Australian Government awarding the southern suburbs contract to a state-based joint venture.
Mon May 24th, 2004 | bevans | | 490 reads |
Waterfall report slams rail managers
Top managers and frontline staff within NSW's rail agencies were not properly trained to help prevent the Waterfall rail disaster, a special independent safety audit ordered by the inquiry into the fatal accident has found.
Sun May 23rd, 2004 | bevans | | 570 reads |
Train safety alert -- locos grounded
WEST Coast Railway's entire fleet of locomotives has been taken off the tracks after a safety alert was issued late yesterday.
The director of Public Transport and Safety notified West Coast Railway about the possibility of stress cracks in locomotive underframes.
The company took immediate action to cancel all rail services for at least the next four days and replace them with coach services.
Sat May 22nd, 2004 | bevans | | 641 reads |
V/LINE - State rail efficiency off track
TRANSPORT Minister Peter Batchelor admitted V/Line's punctuality performance has been below par, according to the State Opposition.
Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder accused Mr Batchelor of making the blunder about the government-owned rail service in a public hearing of State Parliament's Public Accounts and Estimates Committee on Thursday.
Sat May 22nd, 2004 | bevans | | 511 reads |
QLD: Network revamp jacks up rail fares
ALMOST 80 per cent of southeast Queensland rail commuters face fare rises within six weeks as part of a revolution in the region's public transport network.
Sat May 22nd, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 622 reads |
Rail trail walk plans unveiled
THE proposed 35-kilometre Hamilton-Coleraine Rail Reserve walking track was unveiled on Tuesday and a Friends group launched in support.
It was the first public event organised by the Committee of Management and more than 60 people from across the district attended.
Sat May 22nd, 2004 | bevans | 483 reads |
Rail cheaper, more efficient says Corrigan
One goods train on the Melbourne-Sydney line could substitute for 150 semi-trailers, the managing director of Patrick Corporation, Mr Chris Corrigan, told a conference.
Fri May 21st, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 531 reads |
Rail chief bares his teeth at inquiry
The chief executive of RailCorp, Vince Graham, yesterday verged on openly clashing with the Waterfall commissioner, Peter McInerney, in his defence of the program RailCorp had taken to prevent new rail disasters.
Fri May 21st, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 508 reads |
Auslink's $550m boost for rail
The Eastern Seaboard rail system will receive a $550m funding boost next month as part of a broader plan to help increase the efficiency of freight transport and ease the pressure on the national highway network. Government sources said the money would mainly be used to fix the rail line between Melbourne and Sydney, in addition to the $450m previously allocated to the Australian Rail Track Corporation for upgrading the Sydney to Brisbane line.
Thu May 20th, 2004 | freightgate/michaelgreenhill | 2 comments | | 622 reads |
Rail celebration success
Alexandrina Council Mayor Kym McHugh joined 150th Anniversary of Australia's First Public Railway Celebration organisers in thanking the volunteers for making the celebration such a success at a morning tea at Signal Point on Tuesday morning.
Thu May 20th, 2004 | DavidB | | 423 reads |
Another stop here for the XPT
CountryLink's Murwillumbah to Sydney XPT train service will run to a new timetable from this week, and Gloucester will be a "stop on request" for the first time.
Wed May 19th, 2004 | James Holt | | 603 reads |
GrainCorp joins rail buyback call
Leading agribusiness group GrainCorp has joined the industry chorus urging the Victorian Government to buy back the state's rail network.
Wed May 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 464 reads |
NSW: South Coast rail rage
THE campaign to save South Coast rail services went full steam ahead at a protest rally yesterday morning, on the same day the State Government announced that from July, no trains would run to or from the Shoalhaven after 9pm.
Wed May 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 3 comments | | 558 reads |
Rail wrangle stops woodchips
About every 10 minutes each day, a truck carrying pine woodchips travels along the coastal road from Mount Gambier in South Australia to the Port of Portland in Victoria.
Wed May 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 2 comments | | 480 reads |
Rail yard plan: get it back on track
Shifting Dubbo's rail-freight interchange out of town has been trundling past different government departments for almost a decade.
Wed May 19th, 2004 | DavidB | 1 comment | | 492 reads |
VIC: Dangerous rail crossing to be upgraded
A Victorian Rail Authority has made upgrading a notorious rail crossing in the Goulburn Valley its top priority after yesterday's accident involving a car colliding with a train.
Tue May 18th, 2004 | James Holt | | 491 reads |
CRC rewrites train timetables
AN Australian firm is attracting interest from rail companies here and overseas with a software project that may help trains run on time.
Researchers at the Co-operative Research Centre for Railway Engineering and Technologies (Rail CRC) — set up in 2001 and funded by the federal Government, the Australian rail industry and six universities — are working on a bundle of real-time train scheduling and optimisation tools.
Tue May 18th, 2004 | bevans | | 581 reads |
Level-crossing deaths: train speed cut suggested
High-speed trains could be banned from travelling more than 120kmh after the Government admitted yesterday it could not fix the state's most dangerous railway level crossings.
Tue May 18th, 2004 | bevans | 3 comments | | 611 reads |
Fury at the Railway Friendly as Byron hits the end of the line
Byron Bay's Railway Friendly Bar will keep rocking, but when the last train leaves the platform tomorrow night the town's railway service will stop rolling. The bar of the Railway Friendly in Byron backs on to the tracks of the Casino-Murwillumbah branch line, which carried its first train 110 years ago.
Mon May 17th, 2004 | DavidB/bevans | | 560 reads |
Train shunters walk off job
VICTORIA'S country rail services were disrupted this morning after a snap strike by train shunters.
Fri May 14th, 2004 | bevans | | 547 reads |
QLD: Three injured after train derailment
THREE men were taken to hospital after a collision between a road train and an empty freight train, which partially derailed, near the Queensland border town of Goondiwindi today.
Two train drivers and the truck driver were taken to Goondiwindi Hospital after the accident at a level crossing on the Cunningway Way, 2km north-east of Goondiwindi at 11.15am (AEST), Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS) area director Mike Flanigan said.
Fri May 14th, 2004 | bevans | 617 reads |
Geelong fast rail on track
Geelong's new fast trains were on time and on budget, State Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said yesterday. At a special progress review of the Regional Fast Rail Project at the Dandenong factory where the new trains are being built, Mr Batchelor said the project was on schedule.
Fri May 14th, 2004 | dbromage | | 497 reads |
NSW: Safer train crossings a decade away
Transport authorities admit it will take more than a decade to fix the 400 most dangerous level crossings in NSW, despite recent increases in funding.
Fri May 14th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 1291 reads |
Rail group criticises costing blow out
A rail group has claimed an auditor-general's report into the Ararat rail line spending blow out could lead to further delays in the return of north-western Victorian rail services.
Fri May 14th, 2004 | bevans | 5 comments | | 1090 reads |
Riding a slow train to nowhere
A fold-out map spread out on her lap, Alison Wooden traces the last seconds of her son's life. Here is the train, 17.6 seconds before it crashes into the car in which Kyle was travelling, she says, pointing to a bullet-shaped mark on the far right of the map. Here is the car, she says, sweeping her finger to a much smaller spot halfway across the map.
Fri May 14th, 2004 | bevans | | 635 reads |
Big weekend of rail celebrations
The Goolwa, Port Elliot and Middleton communities will come together this weekend to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Australia's First Public Railway.
Thu May 13th, 2004 | dbromage | | 491 reads |
Still no start date for Ballarat-Ararat rail services
Transport Minister Peter Batchelor is still refusing to say when passenger train services will resume between Ballarat and Ararat, in the wake of an Auditor-General's report outlining a cost blowout.
Thu May 13th, 2004 | dbromage | 1 comment | | 505 reads |
Mayors take rail closure protest to Parliament
A final effort will be made today to save rail services on the Casino to Murwillumbah line on the northern New South Wales north coast. Local mayors from the region will take their protest to State Parliament.
Thu May 13th, 2004 | dbromage | 1 comment | | 458 reads |
WA: Vandals target jetty train
RECENT vandalism directed at the Busselton Jetty's train service has raised fears by Busselton Jetty Management Committee executive Len Boyling that unless the culprit is caught someone could get hurt.
Mr Boyling said that the jetty had experienced ongoing vandalism for the past 18 months but a recent spate of damage to the train system was a deliberate attempt to sabotage its operations.
Wed May 12th, 2004 | bevans | | 509 reads |
Govt starts removing northern rail services
The New South Wales Government has begun removing services on the rail line between Casino and Murwillumbah in north of the State, a week before the end of passenger rail services.
Tue May 11th, 2004 | bevans | | 456 reads |
Cootamundra RIC jobs under threat
Up to 200 jobs in Cootamundra and the surrounding area have come under threat in a deal struck between the Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) and the Commonwealth Government's Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC).
Mon May 10th, 2004 | dbromage | 483 reads |
Push to extend light rail to Quay
An extension of Sydney's light rail network is almost certain to go ahead with a new $200 million link taking passengers up and down George Street from Central Station to Circular Quay, new Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
Sun May 9th, 2004 | bevans | | 1205 reads |
Vic: $1.6m rail blow
MELBOURNE public transport companies have been fined a total $1.6 million for delivering sub-standard services.
Sun May 9th, 2004 | bevans | | 474 reads |
Leaked memo reveals rail closure: Nationals
The New South Wales Nationals say a leaked memo from the Rail Infrastructure Corporation (RIC) has revealed the Government is going to close four major grain rail lines.
Sat May 8th, 2004 | bevans | 4 comments | 1275 reads |
Blues down Pies after final quarter charge
Carlton kicked six goals to one in the final quarter to scorch to a nine-point come-from-behind win over arch-rivals Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this afternoon.
Sat May 8th, 2004 | bevans | | 473 reads |
Truckies win back freight percentage
THE new Adelaide to Darwin rail link has increased competition with road transport in the north or Australia and the truckies are fighting back.
Damaged and late goods are causing a shift from rail to road transport and trucking companies report a 15 per cent trade upswing since the "Steel Snowy" opened.
Hailed as Australia's last great rail project, the first train on the $1.3-billion, 3000km, Adelaide to Darwin AustralAsia railway debuted on January 15.
http://countryman.thewest.com.au/20040429/cm-home-sto124082.html
Sat May 8th, 2004 | bevans | | 446 reads |
Geelong: Freight fight takes its toll
A WRANGLE between Australia's two biggest rail operators threatens the expansion of Geelong's freight network.
Geelong's $5.1 million dual-guage rail link to Lascelles Wharf, promised two years ago, cannot begin because the line's owner, Freight Australia, will not grant the State Government access to the line.
Sat May 8th, 2004 | bevans | 5 comments | | 1728 reads |
SA: Wharf railway line an option
A RENEWED focus on rail has grain-handling company Ausbulk looking closely at Eyre Peninsula's rail infrastructure including options to extend the rail onto the wharf at the Port Lincoln silos.
The company's discussions centre on how to accommodate longer trains, which would mean less shunting and facilitate faster unloading.
Sat May 8th, 2004 | bevans | | 1269 reads |
Man free after train trap
A MAN who fell onto railway tracks was trapped under a train at a western Sydney station for nearly three hours today.
Fri May 7th, 2004 | bevans | | 491 reads |
ALP told to fix rail crossing dangers
The NSW Nationals have called on Premier Bob Carr to make one Minister responsible for railway crossings after the tragic death of a Baan Baa woman at the town's railway level crossing on Tuesday.
Fri May 7th, 2004 | dbromage | 420 reads |
Greens say deal will force more rail closures
Greens' MP Lee Rhiannon says the major political parties have joined forces in a deal that will result in more railway branch line closures, causing massive job losses in regional New South Wales.
Fri May 7th, 2004 | dbromage | 428 reads |
Residents protest train cuts
Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah residents turned out in force yesterday to protest against cuts to northern New South Wales rail services.
Fri May 7th, 2004 | bevans | | 499 reads |
Police name train crash victim
Narrabri police have released the name of a woman who was killed when her car collided with a train at Baan Baa, just south of Narrabri.
Thu May 6th, 2004 | James Holt | | 549 reads |
VIC: Train chaos anger
AN electrical fault on a city-bound train sparked transport chaos in the southeastern suburbs yesterday.
Thu May 6th, 2004 | James Holt | | 485 reads |
End of line for ex-MP train perks
Former politicians have been stripped of their entitlement to luxury train travel and they will no longer be able to have a meal on the taxpayer on long-haul journeys.
Thu May 6th, 2004 | bevans | | 512 reads |
End in sight for XPT Countrylink services?
The Nationals Member for Myall Lakes, John Turner, said the proposed rearrangement of timetabling for the Countrylink train service out of Taree south in the dead of night is the backdoor way of cancelling services.
Wed May 5th, 2004 | dbromage | | 636 reads |
Countrylink to Suffer under Labor
Member for Albury, Mr Greg Aplin and Member for Wagga Wagga, Mr Daryl Maguire, are calling on the community to get behind them to retain local CountryLink rail services.
Wed May 5th, 2004 | dbromage | | 697 reads |
Lismore seeks rail closure legal advice
Moves to stop the New South Wales north coast rail line from being dismantled have turned to the courts, with Lismore City Council investigating its legal options.
Wed May 5th, 2004 | dbromage | 1 comment | | 510 reads |
Greens join farmers to save rail branch lines
In what must be an historical day in NSW politics the NSW Greens and the NSW Farmers Association have joined forces to campaign against the Carr Labor Government.
Wed May 5th, 2004 | dbromage | 427 reads |
WCR to hand back Warrnambool service before 2006
West Coast Railway says it is likely it will continue to run passenger services to Warrnambool, after its contract runs out next month West Coast director Don Gibson says it looks like the current contract will be extended, but the company will hand the service back to the Government sometime before 2006.
Wed May 5th, 2004 | dbromage | 1 comment | | 459 reads |
NSW: One killed in NSW train derailment
At least one person has been killed and a number of people trapped after a train derailment in north-western New South Wales earlier tonight.
Tue May 4th, 2004 | Loco | 2 comments | | 656 reads |
NSW: Now it's official: this train is truly a lemon
By STAVRO SOFIOS and MATT SUN
May 4, 2004
SYDNEY'S fault-riddled Millennium train was officially declared a lemon yesterday – after barely 15 months on the tracks.
The State Government axed its contract to buy any more of the trains after manufacturer EDI tried to get an extra $22.6 million out of taxpayers.
However taxpayers should not feel pleased – $658 million was spent on the Millennium – $100 million more than the public was first told.
Tue May 4th, 2004 | bevans | | 573 reads |
Geelong: Mulder queries train deal
Tuesday, May 4
DANIEL FOGARTY
THE State Opposition is demanding to know why the Government is yet to renew a contract with Geelong's West Coast Railway for the Warrnambool train service.
Shadow Transport spokesman Terry Mulder said the Government had been negotiating the contract since November 2002 and questioned why it had taken so long.
Tue May 4th, 2004 | bevans | 516 reads |
WA: Woman dies after mystery train fall
The mysterious death of an elderly woman passenger who fell from the Indian Pacific train has sparked two separate inquiries into the tragedy.
Safety procedures are meant to prevent passengers from opening the carriage doors during a journey.
The woman disappeared from a Perth-bound train on Friday after it crossed into WA.
Mon May 3rd, 2004 | bevans | | 482 reads |
Sasser eyed over train outage
NSW TRAINS authority RailCorp has sent in software engineers to find the source of the outage that left up to 300,000 commuters stranded yesterday, saying the new Sasser worm, which has already spawned two variants, is being evaluated as a possible cause.
A RailCorp spokesman confirmed that software engineers were investigating the problem, which prevented drivers from talking to signal boxes. A virus attack was one possibility being investigated, he said. RailCorp was unable to confirm when the investigation would be complete.
Mon May 3rd, 2004 | bevans | | 579 reads |
Cracked track causes rail chaos
Sydney train travellers were delayed by up to 40 minutes across the metropolitan network today because of a cracked rail.
Mon May 3rd, 2004 | dbromage | 1 comment | | 480 reads |
Greens and farm lobby on same track over rail issue
They're strange bedfellows but the Greens and farming groups are content to cosy up on opposing rail branch line closure. The rural hamlet of Greenthorpe played host to NSW Greens MP Lee Rhiannon and the NSW Farmers' Association this week as they bonded over branch lines.
Mon May 3rd, 2004 | dbromage | 1 comment | | 553 reads |
Software leaves Sydney commuters stranded
Tens of thousands of Sydney commuters were delayed or stranded yesterday when most services ground to a halt after the rail network's communication system failed. Crowds choked platforms with passengers left to endure lengthy delays, even after RailCorp said it had fixed the problem.
Mon May 3rd, 2004 | dbromage | 1 comment | | 445 reads |
City rail services returning to normal
Trains across the Sydney metropolitan area are beginning to return to normal after most services were brought to a standstill following a malfunction within the rail network's communication system.
Sun May 2nd, 2004 | James Holt | | 579 reads |
Launch date set for new Prospector train
The new state-of-the-art, high speed Prospector train will come into service on June 28, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced today.
Bookings for the new Perth-to-Kalgoorlie train open on Monday, May 17.
Sat May 1st, 2004 | bevans | 6 comments | | 7174 reads |
Train driver over the limit
A SYDNEY train driver has been removed from duty for allegedly testing positive for alcohol after a rail crash today.
Fri April 30th, 2004 | James Holt | | 564 reads |
First Interail train to Brisbane
The first northbound Interail train between Melbourne and Brisbane is due into Acacia Ridge at 9pm tonight. The first southbound train ran on Wednesday 28 April.
Fri April 30th, 2004 | semartin/James Holt | | 758 reads |
Train driver shortages to continue
Shortages in the amount of train drivers needed to properly run Sydney's rail network will plague the system for another two years, it was reported.
Fri April 30th, 2004 | jmorgan | 525 reads |
70 protest rail plans
Regional commuters continued to suffer service cuts at the hands of the Sydney-centric NSW Government while millions were pumped into the CityRail network, protesters said yesterday.
Fri April 30th, 2004 | dbromage | | 452 reads |
Train staff go on strike
29apr04
About 500 CountryLink reservations staff have walked off the job for 24 hours to protest against the New South Wales Government's proposed cuts to regional rail services.
Also protesting today are people affected by the planned cutting of an XPT rail service between Casino and Murwillumbah on the NSW north coast.
The strike by CountryLink reservations staff was timed to coincide with the community protest, which will be held at Governor Macquarie Tower in Sydney later today.
Thu April 29th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 591 reads |
Woman killed in train derailment
A CAMBODIAN woman was killed and three other people seriously injured when a train derailed en route from the southwestern port town of Sihanoukville to the capital, officials said today.
Thu April 29th, 2004 | bevans | | 435 reads |
Call for Vic Govt to boost rail say
The Member for Gippsland East, Craig Ingram, is urging the Victorian Government to ensure it has a bigger say in the future of the state's rail lines.
Thu April 29th, 2004 | dbromage | 1 comment | | 386 reads |
Federal MP airs Murwillumbah rail concerns
There are concerns the NSW Government will try to dismantle the north coast rail line before plans for its future use can be fully investigated.
Thu April 29th, 2004 | dbromage | 1 comment | | 476 reads |
N Korea train station 'Obliterated'
Foreign aid workers reported a scene of utter devastation at the site of the North Korean train explosion, and confirmed about half of the 154 victims were children.
Tue November 30th, 1999 | bevans | 1 comment | | 151 reads |
NSW: Police on track to detect train drugs
New South Wales police officers are stepping up their efforts to find drug dealers and couriers using Sydney's train network.
Sun April 25th, 2004 | James Holt | | 441 reads |
Internet bookings to replace rail jobs
As many as 400 workers could lose their jobs when the State Government closes the rural rail reservations office at Central Station and at least 30 CountryLink travel centres in Sydney and across the state.
Sun April 25th, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | | 445 reads |
NSW: Rail staff get $750 cab rides
TAXIS costing taxpayers as much as $750 a fare are being used to take train drivers home after a fortnight's work.
Sun April 25th, 2004 | jmorgan | 1 comment | | 861 reads |
Rail rescue within seconds of train
It sounded like a car smashing into a pole, but when Tony Digrazia ran from the Brunswick factory where he worked, he could not see a thing through the dark and rain.
Sun April 25th, 2004 | jmorgan | | 508 reads |
VIC: Ads take us for a ride
MELBOURNE commuters say the latest campaign to promote train travel is a con.
Fri April 23rd, 2004 | James Holt | | 610 reads |
Beaudesert Rail has added a special wheelchair-friendly carriage
Beaudesert Rail has added a special wheelchair-friendly carriage to the seven nicely rennovated ones which its C17 steam train pulls regularily on its beaudesert-Logan village run. Wednesday's are usually reserved for group bookings, with the weekend trips for steam engine fans and other sightseers.
Fri April 23rd, 2004 | freightgate/jmorgan | | 568 reads |
Rail group wants independent study
Rail lobby group Northern Rivers Trains for the Future says it welcomes the Federal Government's offer to fund a feasibility study into rail services in the region, but says the study must be independent.
Thu April 22nd, 2004 | DavidB/bevans | 1 comment | | 497 reads |
NYC train collision leaves 130 injured
An empty Amtrak train ploughed into the back of a commuter laden train near New York's Penn Station on Monday, leaving 130 people with minor injuries.
Wed April 21st, 2004 | James Holt | | 499 reads |
Driver training starts on Bairnsdale line today
The training of V/Line drivers on the new Bairnsdale railway line has commenced, the Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor announced today.
Mr Batchelor said the track works were now complete, the line had received safety approval, and an announcement regarding the return of passenger services would be made very soon.
Wed April 21st, 2004 | freightgate/dbromage | 1 comment | | 504 reads |
Vic: Full steam ahead on port scheme
The State Government yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to deepening Port Phillip Bay's shipping channel, but was unable to say how the $450 million project will be funded.
Its economic statement said legislation would be introduced this year to accelerate the project's planning approval and to declare it a priority for the state, subject to a satisfactory environmental effects study.
Wed April 21st, 2004 | freightgate/dbromage | 1 comment | | 430 reads |
Rogue package caused train delays
THE discovery of a suspicious package at Beverly Hills railway station yesterday afternoon left many Sydney commuters facing long delays home.
Mon April 19th, 2004 | bevans | 1 comment | | 449 reads |
Train driver training time slashed
THE NSW Government has cut the training time of rail drivers by five months in an effort to get more drivers on the tracks sooner.
Mon April 19th, 2004 | James Holt | | 580 reads |
New operators promise a new beginning
Connex and Yarra Trams have vowed to revitalise Melbourne's public transport by upgrading services and safety during a five-year, $2.3 billion contract with the State Government.
Sun April 18th, 2004 | James Holt | 2 comments | | 537 reads |
Union laments north coast rail cuts
The union representing rail workers says the decision by the NSW Government to cut rail services on the state's north coast is a sin and should be reversed.
Thu April 15th, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | 1 comment | | 503 reads |
Rail system a laughing stock
Grain farmers are taking an active interest in rail matters these days, much more than previously and for good reason. For too long it has been the policy of successive NSW governments to close down rural rail lines on the grounds that they do not pay.
Wed April 14th, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | | 686 reads |
Vic: Ticket inspector accused
A TICKET inspector grabbed a young female passenger around the neck with his two hands, police have been told.
Tue April 13th, 2004 | jmorgan | 11 comments | | 2864 reads |
Vic: Massive Fast Rail Works to Revitalise Ballarat Rail Line
Sections of the Ballarat rail line will be closed from 17 April until early July 2004 for the biggest upgrade of the line in 120 years, the Minister for Transport, Peter Batchelor announced today.
Mr Batchelor said the closures would allow the major track works for the Regional Fast Rail project to be completed between Deer Park and Ballarat.
Sat April 10th, 2004 | bevans/jmorgan | | 582 reads |
Rail link saved by community action
The Friends of the Northern Railway say "people power" prevented the loss of the Armidale to Tamworth rail link in this week's state mini-Budget.
Thu April 8th, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | 1 comment | | 499 reads |
Murwillumbah XPT axed, line to close
The State Government says it can no longer afford to keep the rail line between Casino and Murwillumbah open and will stop rail services between the towns. Coaches will replace the daily passenger train.
Wed April 7th, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | 2 comments | | 723 reads |
$1.5 billion for rail, hold the lemons
Sydney's commuters have barely recovered from the Millennium train fiasco – now a new "hi-tech" train is headed for the tracks. "New generation" train carriages worth $1.5 billion will replace a third of the ageing CityRail fleet over the next six years.
Wed April 7th, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | 459 reads |
Strong Police presence at Show
FIFTY police, 100 transit officers and the dog squad will patrol key train lines in a high visibility policing operation to coincide with the Royal Easter Show.
Sat April 3rd, 2004 | James Holt | | 420 reads |
Train death treated as suspicious
A TEENAGER was killed after falling into the path of a train during an alleged gang fight at Mooroolbark railway station late yesterday. Last night homicide squad detectives confirmed they were investigating whether the 17-year-old had been deliberately pushed to his death.
Sat April 3rd, 2004 | James Holt | 2 comments | 533 reads |
Army called to protect Spanish railways
Spain sent in the army to guard its railways today after finding a bomb on a high-speed track that may contain the same explosives used in last month's Madrid train bombings.
Interior Minister Angel Acebes said police would check the 350 kph Madrid-Seville line on which the bomb was found kilometre by kilometre and would then use helicopters and army vehicles to guard key tracks.
The 12 kg of dynamite packed in a bag was found near the central city of Toledo and defused safely.
Sat April 3rd, 2004 | bevans | | 435 reads |
Bomb found on train tracks
A bomb found on a high-speed train line in central Spain appears to contain the same type of dynamite as used in the March 11 Madrid rail bombings, Spanish state radio has reported.
"First examination indicates that it is the same dynamite - Goma 2 Eco - as used in the Madrid attacks," the radio said.
A bomb was found on a high-speed rail track in central Spain yesterday just weeks after 191 people were killed in suspected al-Qaeda bombings of four packed Madrid commuter trains.
Sat April 3rd, 2004 | bevans | | 397 reads |
Residents have their Let traffic flow all way through, say locals
THE vast majority of Gungahlin residents want the controversial Gungahlin Drive Extension to go ahead, a poll conducted for The Sunday Times has found.
A telephone survey on Thursday and Friday conducted by the Australian School of Government Studies showed 90 per cent of residents wanted the $71million extension.
An overwhelming majority - 80 per cent - were prepared to see the road, which will run between Tuggeranong Parkway at the Glenloch Interchange and Gungahlin Drive at the Barton Highway, go through the Canberra Nature Reserve, which includes the O'Connor and Bruce ridges.
Sat April 3rd, 2004 | freightgate/bevans | | 456 reads |
All aboard for tourist recovery
THE upcoming launch of a high-speed railway service in South Korea is expected to give a much-needed boost to the country's tourist industry.
The outbreak of bird flu late last year ended the industry's post-SARS recovery, causing a slump in inbound travel, including a fall in the number of Chinese tourists in the country.
Fri April 2nd, 2004 | freightgate/bevans | | 390 reads |
Transport alert on state masterplan
The Bracks Government's planning blueprint, Melbourne 2030, is at risk of collapse without big improvements in public transport, an advisory committee to the Government has warned.
The committee says key groups, including developers and the building industry, "do not have confidence that the transport elements of Melbourne 2030 will be adequately delivered or addressed".
Thu April 1st, 2004 | bevans | | 434 reads |
Hope for Victorian rail standardisation
It is hoped the sale of the company that leases Victoria's rail freight lines could provide an opportunity for rail standardisation across the state.
Wed March 31st, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | 1 comment | | 648 reads |
Farmers to rally over country rail
Rail network lines supporting grain transport in NSW country areas were in urgent need of repair, the state's peak farming body said today.
Wed March 31st, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | | 540 reads |
Rail giant plans to extend loop
Rail giant Pacific National says it wants to keep the Victorian rail network as part of the $285 million acquisition of Victorian-based Freight Australia.
Wed March 31st, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | 525 reads |
Project manager optimistic about Cunningham rail line
The proposed Cunningham rail line on the Darling Downs in Queensland is yet to be given the green light, despite two years of lobbying. The project will provide a standard gauge line railway through Inglewood, Warwick and Killarney before connecting to the main line at Rathdowney.
Tue March 30th, 2004 | DavidB/dbromage | 518 reads |
Sydney rail patronage drops
Driver shortages and service disruptions have led to more than 50,000 people deserting the Cityrail network over the past month. Rail Corp estimates use of its trains over February was 6 per cent less than the year before.
Tue March 30th, 2004 | DavidB/jmorgan | 570 reads |
Opening of Acacia Ridge Assists Competition In Rail
PRESS RELEASE
28th May, 2003
OPENING OF ACACIA RIDGE ASSISTS COMPETITION IN RAIL
Freight Australia has warmly welcomed Queensland Rail’s decision to open the Acacia Ridge intermodal freight terminal in Brisbane to multiple users.
Tue March 30th, 2004 | bevans/jmorgan | 533 reads |
Freight Australia Commences Daily Melbourne – Sydney Services
Freight Australia Commences Daily Melbourne – Sydney Services
Private rail operator, Freight Australia has today announced that it has taken the next step in the expansion of its freight operations by introducing a daily intermodal service between Melbourne and Sydney.
Tue March 30th, 2004 | bevans/jmorgan | 580 reads |
RailAmerica Enters Into Agreement to Sell Freight Australia for AUD $285 Million
AT THE COMPANY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Susan Wright Greenfield
March 30, 2004
Assistant Vice President, Corporate Communications
(561) 994-6015
AUSTRALIAN CONTACT
Freight Australia
Marinus van Onselen
Chief Executive Officer
03 9619 1043
RailAmerica Enters Into Agreement to Sell Freight Australia for AUD $285 Million Boca Raton, FL, March 29 – RailAmerica today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell 100% of its ownership of Freight Australia for AUD $285 million (US $214 million) to Pacific National, a leading Australian rail freight logistics company.
Tue March 30th, 2004 | bevans/jmorgan | 5 comments | | 837 reads |
Freight companies rail at spending
Recent derailments of grain trains in Victoria highlight the need to spend more money on rail infrastructure, according to industry leaders. Australasian Railway Association chief executive Bryan Nye said most rail infrastructure had not been upgraded for a long time.
Thu March 25th, 2004 | DavidB/jmorgan | 521 reads |
Memo foretold rail disaster
An emergency services exercise on the Airport rail line raised questions about how emergency services could cope with a disaster, the Waterfall inquiry has been told. Wombat 2001 is one of two live exercises dealt with in any detail by the Waterfall inquiry, conducted by Justice Peter McInerney. Both have indicated that had the scenario occurred in real life a catastrophe was likely.
Thu March 25th, 2004 | DavidB/jmorgan | | 542 reads |
Farmers want more rail line funds
Local farmers have welcomed news that the NSW Government is to spend $5.3 million improving the Bogan Gate to Tottenham rail line, but say it is less than a quarter of what is needed.
Thu March 25th, 2004 | DavidB/jmorgan | | 493 reads |
Rail guards lack of counter-terror training
There are concerns a lack of counter-terrorism training for train guards could make Perth's public transport system an easy target for attacks. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has rejected Government claims train guards are trained to detect terror threats.
Thu March 25th, 2004 | DavidB/jmorgan | | 537 reads |
System grinds to a halt
It started with a whiff of gas at Town Hall station, and spread through the tunnels under the city in minutes.
Fri February 6th, 2004 | bevans/jmorgan | 490 reads |
Passengers huff as train runs out of puff
Scores of rail passengers were left stranded in 35-degree temperatures yesterday afternoon at Winchelsea Station after the train to Warrnambool ran out of diesel because no one remembered to refuel it.
Fri February 6th, 2004 | bevans/James Holt | 1 comment | 544 reads |
Rail rides about to get rougher
One in eight CityRail drivers is already sidelined from driving the public, as Sydney braces for months of transport turmoil and the introduction of a slower rail timetable.
Fri February 6th, 2004 | bevans/James Holt | | 564 reads |
Horror run of delays on trains
There has been a huge blowout in the number of train delays, with 19 out of 20 commuters on the worst affected line getting home late in recent weeks, RailCorp figures reveal.
Fri February 6th, 2004 | bevans/James Holt | 1 comment | | 506 reads |
Steamrail ceases running trains
The Board of Steamrail has taken the decision to cease using West Coast Railway (WCR) to operate Steamrail trains due to the constantly rising cost of doing business with WCR.
Thu February 5th, 2004 | bevans/jmorgan | 2 comments | | 1461 reads |
First Darwin Ghan leaves Adelaide
A large crowd has gathered at Adelaide's main interstate rail terminal to watch the departure of the first passenger train from Adelaide to Darwin.
Mon February 2nd, 2004 | Nexas/James Holt | | 706 reads |
Govt pledges $1.2 billion for roads
The federal government will plough an extra $1.2 billion into roads under a $2 billion transport initiative, Acting Prime Minister John Anderson announced today.
Thu January 22nd, 2004 | bevans/jmorgan | | 535 reads |
PM to spend more than $1b on roads
The Federal Government will kick off its election year this week by announcing a national roads and rail project worth more than $1 billion.
Prime Minister John Howard has told The Age the Government is preparing to deliver more "nation building" infrastructure projects.
Note: Project has been confirmed - see article here
Mon January 19th, 2004 | bevans/michaelgreenhill | 497 reads |
Rann defends Darwin rail link
January 15, 2004
South Australian Premier Mike Rann today dismissed transport mogul Chris Corrigan's prediction that the financial returns from the Darwin rail link would be smaller than ticks' testicles.
Thu January 15th, 2004 | DavidB/jmorgan | | 477 reads |
Rail link 'heralds new era'
January 15, 2004
South Australia would enter a new era in trade and tourism today with the departure of the first freight train from Adelaide to Darwin, federal Finance and Administration Minister Nick Minchin said.
Thu January 15th, 2004 | DavidB/jmorgan | | 412 reads |
Adelaide-Darwin train departs
January 15, 2004
The first train to travel the new Adelaide to Darwin railway departed Adelaide today amid much fanfare. The $1.3 billion railway was officially opened with the departure of a freight train which will take three days to make the 3000km journey to Darwin.
Thu January 15th, 2004 | DavidB/jmorgan | 1 comment | 1055 reads |
FreightLink signs up Scotts Group
More than 120,000 tonnes of freight traditionally transported each year by road will now go to Darwin byrail following the signing of a contract between FreightLink and Scott Group’s Northern Territory Freight Services (NTFS) today.
Wed January 7th, 2004 | bevans/jmorgan | 1 comment | | 552 reads |
Get your Ticket Now!
The Immigration Museum latest exhibition ?Trammies? explores the characters and culture of Melbourne?s most endearing form of transport - trams.
Wed February 12th, 2003 | jmorgan | | 621 reads |
Rail delivers the goods
Freight carried over the interstate rail network in Victoria, South Australia and into Western Australia reached a new high during May and continues to rise at a rate outstripping national economic growth.
Sun June 16th, 2002 | jmorgan | 487 reads |
CFCLA SEEKING TO PROVIDE VERSATILITY IN WAGON SUPPLY & LEASING
Railway equipment supplier and lessor, CFCL Australia (CFCLA) is expanding its lease portfolio and with the sale of ballast hopper wagons to Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC) is highlighting its ability to supply specialised wagon fleets to niche markets within the Australian rail industry.
Mon February 21st, 2000 | jmorgan | | 645 reads |
Rail America to buy RailTex for $208 million
RailAmercia Inc. said Thursday that it agreed to acquire RailTex Inc. for about $208 million in cash and stock, creating one of the largest short line/regional freight railroad operators.
Sun October 17th, 1999 | jmorgan | 635 reads |
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The battle between Queensland Rail and interstate freight operator Pacific National, which has been attacking the state-owned monopoly's hold on business, shifts from the tracks to the Federal Court next week.
Train drivers battle
for trauma compo
![[Click for larger image.]](http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200404/r19670_48519.jpg)
