Announcement today that Rail Corp was transferring a number of 48 class locos and grain hoppers to Grain Corp who have undertaken to run grain trains on branch lines to collection centres for transfer into mainline trains.  The actual running of the trains will remain with Pac Nat.  This announcement secures the future of the branch lines in doubt.  No actual details as to which branches.

Cheers

Rod Gayford

Hi Rod,

 Where did you pick up the info re the branch line locos ?

 Cheers

Cowra-Demondrille is still going to miss out on getting grain corp trains. Grain Corps representitive at a meeting in Greenethorpe months ago said they were not interested in running trains on the line.

Info came from a GRaincorp announcement to the ASX yesterday.  
The announcement mentions branchlines involved, however I do not see what Railcorp will have to do with such decision making as it is now in hands of Graincorp and not Railcorp.

Cheers

Rod Gayford

If someone could find a link to the above mentioned announcement, it would be much appreciated. I had a dig around yesterday (I think) and didn't see anything from the Asciano, RailCorp, Graincorp, or Transport Ministry sites.

I don't know how RailCorp can give 48'ers and grain hoppers to anyone. They only have two working 48's (19 & 27) and some derelict frames. They don't have any grain wagons at all, so far as I know. Pacific National / Asciano are the ones with the locos and rollingstock, and with the aversion to using them. Presumably they could hand some over to Graincorp, but I don't see what involvement RailCorp would have at all (other than amending their TOC manual).

I wonder if it's a case of the people writing the press releases being plain ignorant of the fact that PacNat and RailCorp are not the same thing any more, and the railways isn't one big government enterprise. Wouldn't surprise me. I hope it's only a media unit problem, imagine if the people making the decisions really weren't abreast of the last decade or so of rail history.

If someone could find a link to the above mentioned announcement, it would be much appreciated. I had a dig around yesterday (I think) and didn't see anything from the Asciano, RailCorp, Graincorp, or Transport Ministry sites.

I don't know how RailCorp can give 48'ers and grain hoppers to anyone. They only have two working 48's (19 & 27) and some derelict frames. They don't have any grain wagons at all, so far as I know. Pacific National / Asciano are the ones with the locos and rollingstock, and with the aversion to using them. Presumably they could hand some over to Graincorp, but I don't see what involvement RailCorp would have at all (other than amending their TOC manual).

I wonder if it's a case of the people writing the press releases being plain ignorant of the fact that PacNat and RailCorp are not the same thing any more, and the railways isn't one big government enterprise. Wouldn't surprise me. I hope it's only a media unit problem, imagine if the people making the decisions really weren't abreast of the last decade or so of rail history.

The report mentions nothing of Railcorp, but says the NSW government would transfer 18 48 class locos and 180 carriages to GrainCorp. Where has the government been hiding these loco's I wonder?
Anway, heres the link fieldshunt 74

EDITED: source, ASX website

Rod is correct
 In an unusual fashion the media release is listed under the GrainCorp investor news but not the Media news heading & then only the heading re Broadacre trains comes up.

The info is available by going to the ASX website , type in GCN ( graincorp ASx code ) under announcements & the info is there.

Cheers

If someone could find a link to the above mentioned announcement, it would be much appreciated. I had a dig around yesterday (I think) and didn't see anything from the Asciano, RailCorp, Graincorp, or Transport Ministry sites.

I don't know how RailCorp can give 48'ers and grain hoppers to anyone. They only have two working 48's (19 & 27) and some derelict frames. They don't have any grain wagons at all, so far as I know. Pacific National / Asciano are the ones with the locos and rollingstock, and with the aversion to using them. Presumably they could hand some over to Graincorp, but I don't see what involvement RailCorp would have at all (other than amending their TOC manual).

I wonder if it's a case of the people writing the press releases being plain ignorant of the fact that PacNat and RailCorp are not the same thing any more, and the railways isn't one big government enterprise. Wouldn't surprise me. I hope it's only a media unit problem, imagine if the people making the decisions really weren't abreast of the last decade or so of rail history.

Try this:

http://www.mathandling.com.au/Article/Branch-line-trains-to-help-handle-GrainCorp-s-grains/484002.aspx

This all came about after the NSW Government put out an expression of interest early last year to all operators after PN advised that their current agreement to operate branch lines would not be renewed. The NSW Government bought the wagons and 48's off PN for a significant sum.

Several NSW operators expressed interest but it looks to have been a closed shop as we have come full circle with PN operating the trains again.

No doubt like most railway tenders etc in NSW we will never get to find out the reasons for this decision. Particularly given PN's attitude brought about the process in the first place..

Cowra-Demondrille is still going to miss out on getting grain corp trains. Grain Corps representitive at a meeting in Greenethorpe months ago said they were not interested in running trains on the line.

Other operators (and their customers) still are. Be interesting to see what happens with this now that the industry is deregulated. Just requires the NSW Government to keep the line open.

For more of this story head to
http://www.nationbuildingprogram.gov.au/funding/projects/NSW_grain_freight_review.aspx

A report is due to the Ministers , both Federal & State   "at the end of May "

My submission is there Tim B 409kb

as is GrainCorp submission ...see page 12

Cheers Tim

Thanks for the links. I guess I'll just blame rjaygee for muddying the waters with his RailCorp references.  

I suppose it's not a bad outcome on the whole. It loosens PacNat's grip on the grain lines, while still maintaining the status quo for the people on the ground doing the work. If GrainCorp and Asciano have a major falling out, GrainCorp can look for someone else to provide the crews and support. Asciano can probably claim to have divested themselves of 18 old locos, but they still have the work for now. It should have been like this from the start.

I think it'll be interesting to see which 48'ers and hoppers GrainCorp wind up with.

Announcement today that Rail Corp was transferring a number of 48 class locos and grain hoppers to Grain Corp who have undertaken to run grain trains on branch lines to collection centres for transfer into mainline trains. The actual running of the trains will remain with Pac Nat. This announcement secures the future of the branch lines in doubt. No actual details as to which branches.

Always good to see these awesome little Alcos getting more use, but would be nice to think maybe one or two closed branch lines could get use again, such as the line through Coonabarabran.

The announcement mentions branchlines involved, however I do not see what Railcorp will have to do with such decision making as it is now in hands of Graincorp and not Railcorp.

Surely it is Railcorp's decision as to whether the lines are still available for use ?

There is a very odd Rail Infrastructure Corp map at that Grain Transport Review website.

It shows all the rail network of NSW including the Railcorp lines, the ATRC lines,  and the "country network" operational and non-operational lines.

It seems to show every line ever laid in NSW,   including such long-gone ephemera as the Westby line, the original Cadia branch,  and the Taralga line.

Curiously,  it doesn't show the Coolah or Dorrigo branches at all.

Does this mean Rail Corp retain ownership of the 48s on a lease arrangement?

Does this mean Rail Corp retain ownership of the 48s on a lease arrangement?

This may assist to muddy the waters http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/news/EOI-grainhaul-branchline-services.pdf

There is a very odd Rail Infrastructure Corp map at that Grain Transport Review website.

It shows all the rail network of NSW including the Railcorp lines, the ATRC lines,  and the "country network" operational and non-operational lines.

It seems to show every line ever laid in NSW,   including such long-gone ephemera as the Westby line, the original Cadia branch,  and the Taralga line.

Curiously,  it doesn't show the Coolah or Dorrigo branches at all.

Hi all,

Yes a plethora of inconsistencies, letting down an otherwise "good" report.  Note however the source was RIC!!!

Other discrepancies include: -
- No line from Wollongong to Nowra (Bomaderry), an important part of the grain network for domestic consumption.
- A line from Gulgong to Maryvale (never completed) under CRN Non Operational (I wonder why?)
- A line from Maldon to Dombarton (never completed) also under CRN Non Operational.

Any others?

Happy graining,

John

PS; it's "good"   to see some within RIC (RailCorp) don't even know their own network.

*sits back, munching popcorn*

some updated info re GrainCorp & the Cowra Young area rail lines

http://www.youngwitness.com.au/news/local/news/general/rail-link-meeting/1538869.aspx

*sits back, munching popcorn*

Can I join too?  

some updated info re GrainCorp & the Cowra Young area rail lines

http://www.youngwitness.com.au/news/local/news/general/rail-link-meeting/1538869.aspx

LOL

All talk, no action.

BTW ARTC has suspended indefinately some of the upgrades on the Cowra - Demondrille line.

some updated info re GrainCorp & the Cowra Young area rail lines

http://www.youngwitness.com.au/news/local/news/general/rail-link-meeting/1538869.aspx

LOL

All talk, no action.

BTW ARTC has suspended indefinately some of the upgrades on the Cowra - Demondrille line.

Hey, I got an idea.....Why don't the Lachlan Valley Railway form a company to move grain between Cowra and Harden (and Greenthorpe as well). THey could call it Lachlan Valley Rail Freight......No Wait they already did that before didn't they?
Seriously it would be a win / win situation. LVR maintain access with the Mainline, local farmers still get their local service...Everyones happy!!!!!

I read somewhere in the paper when the government sold Freightcorp, that  when the 48s needed to be refurbished that PN could approach them for the money.
If this is the case does it give the government the right to take these locos back, at no cost and hand to another operator in this case Graincorp/
Can anyone shed some light on this as being part of the way correct.
And yes it is good to see another gainco putting their money where their mouth is keeping grain on the rail.
Not like ABB the truckies friend.

The document contains some of the following.

3.1 Locomotives and Grain Wagons
On 1 July 2009 (or such other date as agreed between the parties or as directed by the Director General) the Director General intends to procure the transfer of control of 18 x 48 Class locomotives and 180 grain wagons at no cost to the Branchline Operator.
3.2 Consist and Location of the Assets
The Director General will deliver:
a.
2 x branchline trains, each consisting of 4 x 48 Class locomotives and 40 grain wagons, to an appropriate railway facility at Werris Creek by 20 June 2009;
b.
2 x branchline trains, each consisting of 4 x 48 Class locomotives and 40 grain wagons, to an appropriate railway facility at Parkes by 20 June 2009; and
c.
a further 2 x 48 Class locomotives and 20 grain wagons to a location on the NSW Branchline Network agreed between the parties by 20 June 2009.
3.3 Condition of the Assets
The Director General warrants only that the Assets will be delivered to the Branchline Operator in operational working order. [The Director General will provide short-listed applicants with serial numbers of the Assets to be transferred and the opportunity to inspect the Assets in situ before the transfer is finalised.]
3.4 Maintenance, Upgrade and/or Replacement of the Assets
The Branchline Operator will be responsible for all Asset maintenance costs after transfer. The Branchline Operator can upgrade or replace the Assets within the Operating Period at their own expense.
3.5 Retention of the Assets
The Branchline Operator may not transfer control (or dispose) of any or all of the Assets within the Operating Period without agreement of the Director General. In general, agreement will be conditional on the proceeds from disposal being reinvested in replacement Assets of equivalent or improved capacity.
Page 10

Does each branchline train need 4 locomotives ?