The National Competition Council has released a report titled Questions for Rail Capcity Experts re BHP & FMG which examines the issue of rail access in the Pilbara. Respondents have until March 10 to make further submissions.
Train passengers believe services have improved since the new CityRail timetable was introduced in September but are still not good enough, a telephone survey has found.
Weekend trains have been scrapped between 1am and 4am and may be further cut as the Queensland Government looks to expand its successful 24-hour bus service, a new report has revealed.
Western Australia's Planning and Infrastructure Minister, Alannah Mactiernan, has intervened in an unlawful strike by workers on the city end of the Perth to Mandurah rail project.
Today marks another nail in the coffin for smoking in Victoria because having a puff under railway station shelters is now illegal.
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.
Save Our Rail is happy about the promise to keep the city's rail link but says the battle is not over.
Opinion diverged yesterday over which joint-venture partner might acquire a half-stake in Pacific National rail operations if Toll Holdings' troubled takeover bid for Patrick Corp succeeds.
The Alliance for Rail Freight Development will step up lobbying to fix the rail network this year.
VICTORIAN Transport Minister Peter Batchelor has assured commuters that "teething issues" are to blame for multiple delays to Bendigo train services, and passengers should not lose faith in the returned railway system
WA Premier Alan Carpenter has warned striking workers on the southern suburbs rail project to go back to work or else face "cataclysmic" consequences.
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.
The NSW Government has rejected claims by the State Opposition that it is walking away from its CountryLink commitments.
The bitter rivals actually agree on some of the contentious competition issues that may end up in court.
Despite a reduction in the number and speed of services, train usage has increased by almost 100,000 passengers a week during the first four months of the new timetable, the NSW Government has announced.
Wollongong civic, business and union leaders have supported a bid to fit out hundreds of rail carriages in the city over the next 30 years.
Construction on a modern railway network linking Sunshine Coast towns could begin tomorrow ¡V and it wouldn¡¦t have to cost taxpayers a cent.
It'S a rare issue that can unite transport bureaucrats and public transport advocates, but a call for free travel on Melbourne's rail, tram and bus systems has done it. The idea is not new - Robert Maclellan, a minister in the Hamer and Kennett governments, has twice floated the idea - but it has been raised again by a Monash University academic, Frank Fisher. Associate Professor Fisher argues that making public transport free would be the best way of encouraging more people to use it, and therefore of reducing congestion on Melbourne's increasingly car-clogged roads, too.
The statistics of Melbourne's road congestion are staggering. The length of congested roads is set to grow from 640 kilometres to 1330 kilometres by 2011; the cost of congestion is $4 billion a year; cars contribute about 16 per cent of net greenhouse gases.
Rail firm Connex has been penalised for late trains in February, as frustrated commuters voice anger about transport.
Drivers of Queensland coal trains are considering whether to continue to operate the locomotives, amid claims some are months behind scheduled safety checks.
The historic South Maitland Railway line came to life again on Saturday, as the first shipment of coal from Austar mine made its way along the tracks.
A rail line linking Beerwah and Caloundra could become reality as early as 2010 — five years ahead of the State Government’s schedule.
A flying tram will be the centrepiece of the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
The idea of free trains, trams and buses is not as fanciful as it seems, writes Joshua Gans.
Puffing Billy was named as one of five winners of the 2006 Victorian Heritage Icon Awards last week.
The Queensland State Government’s proposed $1 billion rail line linking Beerwah to central Maroochydore will not fix the problem of Sunshine Coast residents trying to access efficient, convenient public transport.
A group of Coolongup businesses will be paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by the Western Australian Government for losses caused by roadworks for the Perth to Mandurah railway.
Work is expected to commence almost immediately on the first stage of the $12million SCT Logistics rail freight and distribution complex west of Parkes.
Over 400 workers will return to work today on the city tunnel section of the troubled Perth to Mandurah railway, ending a twelve day strike.
Rail workers will undergo medical examinations after asbestos was disturbed during building work at Eastwood station, a day after revelations that thousands of emergency service workers might have been exposed to the deadly dust at an army barracks.
A new $32 million freight rail terminal and rail link at Fremantle Port's North Quay has been officially opened today.
One person is in a critical condition and several others have been injured in a crash involving a train in Perth's northern suburbs.
V/Line has conceded it is struggling to provide adequate services with the return of trains on the Bendigo line after more than a year.
Peak hour trains in Brisbane were brought to a standstill this morning when a power line came down in the city's north-west.
The Transport Minister and the heads of VicTrack and V/Line will officially open Ballarat's refurbished railway station today.
Just weeks after the announcement of plans to reopen the railway line from Greenbushes to Bunbury, the plan has been attacked for failing to go far enough.
The Barrington Bullet has steamed up to be the most popular ride for this year's Steamfest based on preliminary ticket sales.
Melbourne University transport experts have called for new rail lines to the outer suburbs to tackle the growing road congestion problem.
Mayor of Parkes Shire Cr Robert Wilson (OAM) has described Tuesday's council decision to grant conditional approval for the development of the first stage of the multi-million dollar SCT Logistics rail freight centre as one of the most significant in Parkes' history.
Queensland Rail (QR) says it has now paid out nearly $400,000 in compensation after the Tilt Train derailment near Bundaberg, in the state's south-east, in 2004.
The Queensland Government has urged rail unions not to encourage any more disruptions to Brisbane's train services.
Sydney's airport rail link - which has cost taxpayers $800 million and been mocked as the "ghost train" - will be put up for sale as early as next week.
The State Government yesterday denied it was considering a $450 million rail link to Melbourne airport.
The competition watchdog says it will withdraw its opposition to transport group Toll Holdings taking over Patrick Corporation.
Investigators have been told of gaps in a safety fence where three young boys have been run down and killed by a train in Brisbane's west.
Hong Kong or London-style mini-shopping centres could be built around major train stations to subsidise the cost of public transport, a Federal Government MP says.
Wollongong's northern suburbs residents are being invited to celebrate 150 years of rail in Australia with the arrival of All Aboard, a travelling display from the National Museum in Canberra.
A new road and rail tunnel under Footscray and massive train network boost will be the cornerstones of a major transport program to be unveiled by the Bracks Government.
Readers of The Sunday Age have overwhelmingly supported free public transport, with 88 per cent backing it in an internet poll.
The transport group, Toll Holdings, has pledged to do all in its power to ensure a deal is struck to ensure Tasmania's rail freight future.
It is believed the Queensland Government is going to ask the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) to force train drivers to return to work.
Three boys fatally struck by a commuter train had been warned by police not to stray too close to the track shortly before the tragedy.
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.
Introducing free public transport should be fully investigated by the Bracks Government, says one of its most senior and respected advisers.
The most fiercely contested takeover battle in years is back on again after Toll Holdings received weekend approval from the competition watchdog for another tilt at Patrick Holdings.
Receivers are seeking buyers for Sydney's ailing airport rail link.
The New South Wales Government says it will work closely with the new owners of the Sydney Airport rail link.
Negotiations over the future of Tasmania's rail system have continued despite the uncertainty caused by the go-ahead for Toll Holdings' bid for Patrick Corporation.
Farmers between Wagga and Humula say the proposed Riverina Highlands Rail Trail will interfere with the way they run their farms.
A Wimmera train traveller has labelled Horsham station a `disgrace' while the State Government and business poured millions of dollars into other rail projects.
A group of Paterson residents is outraged that a row of trees - some of them long-standing - is being removed from the town's railway line without community consultation.
Train drivers in the Queensland coalfields are refusing to operate any trains from today that are overdue for safety inspections.
The NSW government has called for tenders for a $231-million rail clearways project for a Sydney line.
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.
There were 120 sightings for this week, which are five sightings more than last week. Making a total of 1233 sightings for this year to date. On day 70 last year we had seen 1024 sightings. On the B/G we saw 22 sightings, which were six more than last week. 9140 was seen on four days, it was missing on Monday. We saw 18 grain trains which was five more than last week.
A FIRE in a Sydney rail tunnel under Redfern Station has caused severe disruptions throughout the network this morning.
CITYRAIL had called a halt to all Sydney station maintenance and construction while an asbestos audit was carried out, RailCorp said today.
A group of people campaigning to reinstate the Barossa wine train has welcomed a Liberal promise to conduct a feasibility study into it.
REGULAR Melbourne train commuters will receive a free day's travel to compensate for late services.
Freight rates are proving to be a major stumbling block for future exports of hay from the Northern Territory to Asia.
Australian Electric Traction Association Convention Adelaide:
Friday 9 June to Monday 12 June 2006
Almost six years after it opened, Sydney's airport rail link is attracting only a quarter of the passengers originally forecast.
The construction of the Cranbourne East rail line is back on Casey Council’s agenda following a damning report on Melbourne’s public transport system.
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.
The NSW Government is facing its second asbestos scandal in a week, after the discovery of the killer fibre shut down one of Sydney's busiest railway stations and raised fears that many staff across the network may have been exposed.
The long-running, bitter battle between Toll Holdings and Patrick Corporation has entered a delicate phase as everyone waits for Toll to put its revised bid on the table, and to see whether Patrick's Chris Corrigan has another nasty rabbit up his sleeve.
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.
The Australian Wheat Board will no longer export grain from Port Pirie, bringing the once-bustling port to the end of an era.
After a recent stream of bad news, punctuated by delays, cost over-runs and strike action, the southern suburbs railway project received a shot in the arm today with a new track-laying machine commencing work.
Freight carrier Pacific National has finally reached agreement with Tasmanian Government negotiators on the future of the state's rail network.
Tardy train operator Connex will be forced to give free daily tickets to thousands of regular commuters who were victims of nightmare service last month.
Mining giant BHP Billiton yesterday escalated its war of words with the National Competition Council over third-party access to its iron ore rail infrastructure, accusing the council of "a continuing lack of procedural integrity".
A controversial proposal for a $12 million train support facility between Metford and Thornton has been withdrawn.
A train fire which forced the evacuation of 45 passengers and two crew in south Auckland yesterday is to be investigated by an accident watchdog.
A Melbourne train carring hundreds of commuters was evacuated this moring after a dispute between a driver and a passenger. published in todays MX
A runaway train killed seven people and injured at least 11, severing some of their limbs, during the filming of a TV show in Uruguay, police said.
THE apathy of his fellow commuters spurred self-appointed watchdog Phil Moore into action.
One hot afternoon last February, Mr Moore was waiting at Flinders Street for his train home to Ripponlea.
It had been a long summer of late and cancelled trains, with train operator Connex recording its worst month on the Sandringham line. Close to 6 per cent of trains were cancelled.
Attention all you grumbling malcontents who pour out endless bitter tirades on the perceived lamentable state of Sydney's trains and buses. Here is a message: by world standards you are spoiled rotten.
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.
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.
There were 117 sightings for this week which included a public holiday, which were three sightings less than last week. Making a total of 1350 sightings for this year to date. On day 77 last year we had seen 1038 sightings (1 weeks sightings missing March 2005).
A driver who lost the plot and brought his packed train to a halt would not have been working but for the Commonwealth Games.
Rail services in North Queensland have ceased as a result of damage caused by Cyclone Larry.
Federal and state transport ministers are likely to reject proposed increases in trucking charges, drawing accusations that they favour heavy < trucks over more efficient rail freight.
Police are warning motorists to take care near level crossings, after a train crash in Bendigo yesterday.
A preliminary report has confirmed that a broken axle caused a Melbourne to Sydney passenger train to derail last month near Harden in south-western New South Wales.
An investigation is under way into a collision between two empty trains at Melbourne's Southern Cross Station rail yards.
The future of container rail freight in Tasmania is in limbo after rail operator Pacific National yesterday deferred a decision on whether to accept a $118million government rescue package to keep the business going.
The political decision to reject significant truck cost hikes defies logic and will result in more trucks on the road, the rail lobby argues.
Qantas is thought to be considering a major change - from being a pure airline company to becoming a diversified transport group.
It looks as if BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are prepared to be amenable to other iron ore players in the Pilbara after all -- provided, of course, that their name is not Andrew Forrest.
The rail industry wants decisions on truck registration costs to be taken away from transport ministers, after they rejected a plan to increase charges on large vehicles.
MEDIA/ASX RELEASE
22 March 2006
Infrastructure and industrial services company United Group Limited (ASX: UGL) today announced that its leading rail business United Group Rail has been awarded over $125 million of new rolling stock contracts.
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.
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.
From: Reuters From correspondents in Bangkok
March 22, 2006
SIX people – a Malaysian woman and five Thai men – were killed today when a truck crashed through the gates of a level crossing and derailed a train in Thailand.
Traces of asbestos have been found at four Sydney railway stations.
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.
Stevedore Patrick Corporation managing director Chris Corrigan on Thursday slammed into Toll Holdings' new bid saying it "conceals more than it reveals".
THE NSW Government has announced the winning tender to build Sydney's Macdonaldtown train stabling project.
ASBESTOS has been found at another Sydney train station during an urgent safety audit of CityRail properties.
The union representing railway workers is calling on the New South Wales Government to intervene in the management of the asbestos problem at Sydney's train stations, saying it has no confidence in RailCorp.
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.
The Australasian Railway Association has criticised the Federal Government decision not to increase national heavy vehicle charges.
Allan Lownsborough's labour of love, the sensational South Australian Adelaide and Hills route is now released and available for download from steam4me.
A download link has been added to the railpage download section which is a link to the file on steam4me.
Please note you must have the latest Xtracks (3.16 or higher) and Newroads 3.2 for this route to run properly.
Enjoy this magnificent work from Allan.
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.
The people of Wodonga will not know, and most will not care, that when the railway line is removed from the centre of the city, the railway station which has been an historical part of Wodonga’s past for 132 years will also be removed, according to the Wodonga Historical Society.
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.
After seven months apparently stuck in neutral, the truckers at Toll Holdings have been rapidly shifting through the gears of late.
Ross Taylor's passion for collecting will throw some light on one aspect of railway history during the 21st annual Hunter Valley Steamfest next month.
The State Government has joined with NSW to fund a $35 million upgrade to passenger rail services between Melbourne and Sydney.
Melbourne's most congested tram route could be set for an overhaul, with radical plans for a dedicated shuttle service along St Kilda Road and Swanston Street.
Sydney rail workers believe they have found more deadly asbestos at another city train station, their union secretary says.
An investigation is under way into the cause of a train derailment at a railway crossing in Norseman, in south-east Western Australia.
Hundreds of train drivers and guards are embroiled in a multi-million-dollar superannuation scam being investigated by the tax office.
Adelaide software-simulation developer Sydac has won a $2 million contract to provide two simulators for Britain's First ScotRail.
THE cost of the Regional Fast Rail project continues to climb, with the latest contract variations revealing a further $3 million in unplanned bills.
Under cover of the Commonwealth Games, more than $1.2 million extra for the Ballarat line and almost $790,000 for the Geelong line have been posted on the contractors' websites.
Press Release
Siemens Transportation Systems
29 March 2006
Siemens in Australia was today awarded a A$159 million contract by Queensland Rail (QR) to supply 20 new Class 3800 AC Electric Locomotives and spare parts.
The owners of the Barossa wine tourism train are in negotiations with an engineering company to buy two of the three historic rail carriages.
Spectators going to the Grand Prix this weekend will be able to use a free shuttle tram from the city to the circuit.
SCT Logistics is calling on the rail industry to "lob hand grenades" and increase its visibility in the public eye.
Asbestos has been found at another two Sydney train stations during an audit of CityRail properties, taking the number to 10.
Students, part-time workers and shift workers will suffer if proposed hikes to rail fares are approved, according to the state's peak welfare body.
Demographic developments have worked against public transport systems.
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.
Portland Cable Trams Incorporated will receive an anticipated $17,000 boost to cover public liability costs in moves to extend the four-year-old attraction.
Free public transport is not the answer to the problems caused by overloaded roads.
Helmets on, team spirit high, arms ready - it is time to take the race to the railway tracks.
Farmers on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula are angry at a proposed grain levy to pay for a regional rail upgrade.
There is concern train services will not return to Echuca immediately after the line to Bendigo has been fixed.
There is concern the condition of the Horsham railway station will deter people from visiting the region.