News
Showing stories from August 2004
Fischer reveals strategy for airport-city link
A RAIL subway from the airport to the city and Norwood should be a priority, according to former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer.
Gheringhap Sightings w/e 31/7/2004.
This week we are four sightings up on the last two weeks at 128 for the week, making a total of 3768 sightings for the year to date.
NSW: Group worried new train timetable derailing tourism
The Southern Highlands Rail User Group says the new rail timetable is affecting tourism in the area, with the cuts to through services from Sydney to the Highlands deterring visitors.
Australia's first ever garbage train is coming
A complete space of waste
It is 800 metres wide, more than 200 metres deep and it should take Sydney at least 70 years to fill its 25 million cubic metres with rubbish.
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.
Police say train death was accidental (Update)
South Australian police say the death of a passenger who fell from the Indian Pacific train in South Australia's far north overnight was accidental.
Rail cuts fail to improve peak performance
Sydney's peak hour trains are still running late, especially in the afternoon, despite the 30 per cent cut in weekend services.
Vic freighters back changes to rail access
Victoria's independent rail operators have strongly backed State Government plans to make it easier for third parties to use Victoria's rail network.
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.
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.
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.
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.
United Airlines plane evacuated
A UNITED Airlines jet aborted takeoff at Bangkok International Airport early today after a bird got caught in one of its engines, and four passengers suffered minor injuries as they evacuated the plane, the company said.
FAILURE: 'Somebody did not do their job'
RUTH Morrison had begun a slow retreat into dementia so she probably never noticed the warning signs she passed on the way to her death.
Rail monument to start taking shape soon
WORK on a unique monument commemorating railway workers killed while on duty is expected to begin within the month.
Tim Fischer's new book arrives by rail
 Mr Fischer picks up the first consignment of his new book on rail journeys yesterday. |
Train buff and former deputy prime minister Mr Tim Fischer has chronicled a lifetime of crazy rail journeys in his book Transcontinental Train Odyssey: The Ghan, The Khyber, The Globe. |
New web site launched to promote rail tourism in Canada
A new website has been launched to promote rail tourism in Canada. The site, www.canadabyrail.ca, is jointly sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission and the Railway Association of Canada.
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.
Darwin celebrates steam train's return
The first steam train to operate in the Northern Territory has returned to Darwin in a ceremony at Berrimah this morning.
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.
Rail overpass naming honours Alice pioneer
The Member for Braitling, Lorraine Braham, says it is appropriate to name a railway overpass after one of central Australia's transport pioneers.
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.
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.
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.
3 killed in St Albans level crossing accident
3 people have been killed in St Albans when their car was hit by a city bound V/line passenger service at the Furlong road level crossing.
Details of the accident are limited with police and ambulance attending. Met services have been suspended between Sunshine and Syndenham with the UP line blocked.
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.
Emissions-Busting Hybrid Locomotive Technology Heading for Australia
Hybrid shunter locomotive pioneers RailPower is partnering with 'Premier' Australian Railway Engineers United Goninan to market the emissions-busting, fuel miserly, yard engines in Australia and SE Asia
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.
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.
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.
More delays as Millennium trains take ages to get rolling
Mechanical faults in CityRail's beleaguered Millennium trains, rather than sick drivers, have forced the cancellation of services this week, stranding thousands of commuters.
Signal box fire alarm halts Sydney rail network
A false fire alarm at a signal box in Sydney's Strathfield train station this morning is causing delays across the entire rail network.
Fishermen's thirst runs train off rails
A BOURBON run by two thirsty fishermen caused a $3 million train derailment that injured 30 people, a court heard yesterday.
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.
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.
Auckland rail patronage jumps 30%
Auckland rail services enjoyed a 30 per cent leap in patronage in the year to June 30 - to 3.241 million passenger trips - but difficulties upgrading trains point to a tight time ahead.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Track work to affect train times
CityRail trains south of Wollongong will be disrupted during the next week due to major track work.
Crossing tragedy was not train driver's first
THIS week's level crossing tragedy in St Albans was not the first fatal accident for the V/Line train driver.
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.
Federal Minister backs FCL in rail costs dispute
The FCL freight terminal in Blayney had to be "made to work", according to the Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson.
Man falls under train
A MAN suffered shoulder and facial injuries after falling under a train in northern Sydney last night.
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
Man in hospital after train bashing
A MAN is in hospital with head injuries after he was bashed at a train station in Sydney's north-west.
Gheringhap Sightings w/e 7/8/2004
We have had 129 sightings for the week which is one more that last week, the total sightings for the year to date is 3897.
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.
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.
Upgrade on track for Tennant Creek rail station
A long-awaited upgrade of the Tennant Creek railway station, in central Australia, should be complete by October.
Great Train Robber seeks compassionate jail leave
Lawyers for one of Britain's most flamboyant and famous thieves have sought freedom for the ailing prisoner on compassionate grounds.
New V/Line Timetable to Deliver 3 Return Train Services back to SW Victoria
V/Line announced today that it is continuing its preparations to take over from West Coast Rail on 1 September 2004.
Temporary Geelong Rail Service Alteration effective 1/09/04
V/Line today announced a temporary alteration to the Warrnambool-Geelong-Melbourne rail service to apply from 1 September 2004 when it takes over services to Warrnambool from West Coast Rail.
Qld: Man dies as train hits tractor
A 57-year-old man was killed when his tractor was hit by a freight train at a level crossing in north Queensland.
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.
Vic: Tourist train terminal trashed
Valdals struck the Stringybark Express tourist train terminal at Wahgunyah at the weekend leaving a damage bill of $2000.
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.
Study examines regional rail changes impact
Research has begun into the withdrawal of passenger transport services from country areas in New South Wales.
Working timetable on track to arrive early
A revamped CityRail timetable may be introduced five months early to ease growing frustration over cuts to weekend services and unreliable weekday trains.
Opposition claims train system in turmoil
The Victorian Opposition says Melbourne's train system is in turmoil with commuters enduring lengthy delays as hundreds of services are cancelled.
Rail cuts hurting down the line, say bus operators
Sydney's public transport users may be turning away from buses in the wake of CityRail's 30 per cent cuts in weekend train services, with some companies reporting losing up to a fifth of their weekend trade.
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.
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.
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.
NSW: Ferries hope to share pain on fares
Cash-strapped Sydney Ferries wants to raise its fares by 9 per cent, pushing the price of a single ticket to Manly to $6.30 and to inner-harbour suburbs such as Kirribilli and Balmain to $4.90.
CA: Via Rail on-time performance deteriorates; blames CN Rail freight trains
Via Rail's on-time performance last year was its worst in 16 years, and the Crown corporation blames mainly Canadian National Railway Co., which provides most of the track used by the passenger rail service.
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.
Railway Adventures Across Australia
Railway Adventures Across Australia and Down The Line with Scott McGregor released on DVD and Video.
Channel 7 soon to screen the Down The Line series
Commuters face year of rail problems
Melbourne train commuters face at least another 12 months of chronic delays and cancellations due to the city's rail system.
Nine killed in Turkish train crash
A passenger train in northwest Turkey ignored a stop signal and rammed into an oncoming train, killing nine people and injuring 74 others, officials said, in the nation's third deadly rail accident in as many weeks.
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.
Vic: Study to consider Mildura rail freight corridor
The Victorian and federal governments have announced a joint study into improving the rail freight corridor between Mildura and Geelong.
NSW: Murwillumbah line study findings known soon
Findings from a study into the feasibility of reopening a train service in northern New South Wales will be released tomorrow.
Qld: Conference told Fraser Island rail possible
The Rail Technical Society of Australia says a light rail system on Fraser Island is a realistic possibility.
Qld: Sunshine Coast considers light rail
Maroochy Shire on the Sunshine Coast is the latest Queensland council to investigate light rail as a solution to worsening transport problems.
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.
Freight train derails in North Queensland
North Queensland passenger services will be delayed today after a freight train derailment in a railway yard.
WA: Mandurah considers bus service to complement rail
The City of Mandurah is considering a Central Area Transit (CAT) bus system in preparation for the Southern Suburbs rail service.
Major Site Outage
As many of you may have noticed, Railpage has been out of service for approximately two days.
Gheringhap Sightings w/e 14/8/2004.
Hi Guy's, We have had 116 sightings this week which is thirteen sightings down on last week, which is a result of a downturn in grain trains.
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.
Train travellers soon to tipple: Alcohol to return on W'bool Trains after 11Yrs.
By SARAH LIPOVAS
August 16, 2004
WARRNAMBOOL train travellers will be able to enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer when V/ine takes over the city's train service from September.
Rail network gains speed
WORK on Victoria's new high-speed country rail network will get back on track with a new owner.
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.
Rail row reignited - Council call for timetable release provokes attack
THE City of Greater Bendigo council has moved to put out a political storm surrounding the State Government's $200 million fast train project.
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.
Teething problems fail to stop train's success
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan says the new Prospector train service has been a success, so far.
Toll to boost NZ coal capacity
Toll Rail is planning another round of crossing loop extensions on NZ's West Coast coal route in a bid to boost capacity.
Hopes rise for high-speed train link along coast
Hopes of a high-speed train link to cope with Sydney's alarming population growth have been raised again by a leading State Government strategist.
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.
Council clears air on tram
"A single set of tram tracks will pass through the Nolan Street-Napier Street intersection and travel along the edge of Napier Street where the footpath is presently located, in front of the public toilet blocks and the children's playground," he said.
$2.6m fines for poor transport services
BUS, train and tram operators have paid $2.6 million in fines for poor service since Adelaide's public transport services were privatised in 2000.
Tas: North-East rail to close
Regular rail services to the North-East will cease from October 1.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Vic: Fast rail service still years away
The Victorian Government has confirmed the regional fast rail project will not be fully operational on any of the four lines until 2006.
Vic: Bendigo Council asked to rethink tram viability
Bendigo council has been urged to go back over its figures on the viability of extending the city's tram line around Lake Weeroona.
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.
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.
Rail row reignited - Council call for timetable release provokes attack
THE City of Greater Bendigo council has moved to put out a political storm surrounding the State Government's $200 million fast train project.
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.
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.
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.
ALP pledges Murwillumbah to Casino rail funds
A federal Labor government would commit $150 million over 10 years to restore the Murwillumbah to Casino rail line in northern NSW.
MP scuffle interrupts rail policy launch
A minor scuffle involving a Federal Government minister almost overshadowed a Labor policy launch in northern New South Wales today.
Queensland Rail to cut 700 jobs
![[Click for larger image.]](http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200404/r19670_48519.jpg)
Shunted off: QR says it will offer voluntary redundancies.AFP
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.
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.
Syrian, Algerian arrested over Madrid train bombings
A Syrian and an Algerian have been arrested in Spain in connection with the March 11 Madrid train bombings, the Spanish interior ministry said.
Queensland Rail worried of further freight losses
Queensland Rail (QR) expects to lose about half its business on the Brisbane to Cairns line when a new player enters the market.
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.
Mob sets fire to train in protest at attack
An angry mob set fire to a passenger train in central Bangladesh yesterday, injuring at least 20 people, in retaliation for a grenade attack on an opposition rally that killed 22 people and wounded hundreds, police said.
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.
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.
Major UK rail route could face the axe
The UK's longest rail route, the CrossCountry route which links Scotland to south-west and south-east England, could be broken up following the failure by Virgin Rail to secure the extension of its franchise, rail user pressure groups have warned.
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.
Tas: Waterfront tram plan axed
A plan for a tourist tramway spanning the Hobart waterfront has finally been put to rest.
Vic: The tram in the sandwich
Kim Smith is the Superintendent of Trams for the Bendigo Trust, and you might think it's a little odd that he was relieved by the weekend's rally against the extension of tram tracks around Lake Weeroona.
Unions look to boost efficiency amidst job cuts
Queensland Rail's (QR) union workforce has agreed to work towards competition efficiencies in the wake of state-wide job cuts.
Federal Govt pledges Casino-Murwillumbah rail funds
The Federal Government says it will provide funding to re-open the Casino to Murwillumbah rail line on the New South Wales north coast but has backed away from putting a figure on it.
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).
Tram seen as threat to 'corridor'
THE proposed Hobart railyard-botanical gardens tram link puts at risk a valuable transport corridor and associated sites, says a transport expert.
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.
Warning over runaway rail wagons
Lessons have not been learned by Network Rail following the Tebay rail tragedy earlier this year, the RMT union claims.
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.
Qld: Meetings to talk QR job cuts
The first round of briefings about cuts to Queensland Rail's (QR) northern workforce starts today.
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.
NT: Rail ramp goes to waste
Chief Minister Clare Martin said she was unaware of any problems with the ramp, paid for by Territory taxpayers. But she said it was the responsibility of station operators SCL.
Vic: Fast rail plan off the tracks: Opposition
The Victorian Opposition says another delay in the Bendigo-Melbourne rail line shutdown is confirmation the fast rail project is slipping further behind.
Tas: Train line a risk - expert
The proposed Hobart railyard-botanical gardens tram link puts at risk a valuable transport corridor and associated sites, says a transport expert.
NSW: Anderson wants to see rail plan before pledging more funds
Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson says the Federal Government is committed to restoring the Casino to Murwillumbah rail link in northern NSW, but will not offer any more money until he sees the plans to upgrade the line.
CFCLA PURCHASES FORMER WEST COAST LOCO FLEET
CFCL Australia has agreed to purchase the locomotive fleet of pioneer private rail operator West Coast Railway, which ceases operations at the end of this month.
The deal, which also includes a substantial spare parts inventory, will add another nine locomotives to CFCLA's expanding lease fleet, which now totals over 65 locomotives.
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.
Indian Railways continue to electrify network
In the Railway Budget for 2004-2005, the target for electrification has been fixed as 375 Route kilometres and Rs. 237.49 crores has been allotted for electrification. In year 2003-2004, 504 Route kilometre were electrified as against the target of 350 Route kilometre.
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.
Premier backs rail jobs
PREMIER Steve Bracks has met the Rail Tram and Bus Union to discuss the future of Ballarat's ALSTOM workshops.
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.
Rail unions express their message
A small but prominently displayed message led the XPT into Orange yesterday as part of a workers' bargaining campaign.
Tim Fischer recalls an adventurous railway journey through the Khyber Pass
As my commercial jet touched down at Peshawar airport, the main airport for the region, in 1998, I noticed a set of double-track railway lines running right across the runway and, in the distance, two steam engines heading towards the Khyber Pass. This is absolutely unique, a point where steam trains intersect with jet planes.
Adelaide-Darwin railway freight volumes on target six months down the track
The first six months of FreightLink operations on the Adelaide to Darwin railway delivered freight volumes in line with expectations. CEO Bruce McGowan said by the end of July the service had carried around 270,000 tonnes of freight, of which 10,200 tonnes had been exported out of Darwin by ship to destinations throughout South-East Asia.
NZ: Flood costs take their Toll on rail
Toll NZ is very close to doing deals with Fonterra and Solid Energy that will increase the volume of goods being moved by rail.
Russia to rail more crude oil to China
Russian crude oil exports by railway are growing and could climb to 10-mil mt/year, Viktor Khristenko, minister of industry and energy said Wednesday during an official visit to Beijing.
NZ: $5.4m rail upgrade for Wellington electric trains
A $5.4m upgrade of Wellington's ageing electric train carriages was announced today. Greater Wellington Regional Council (WRC) Transfund and Toll NZ have agreed to fund a limited refurbishment of 36 carriages used on the Johnsonville and Melling lines.
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.
Anderson upbeat about northern NSW rail solution
Federal Transport Minister John Anderson believes he and his New South Wales counterpart can find a way to get a train service in northern NSW back on the tracks.
Japan signs loan for rail line in Uzbekistan
Japan's Foreign Minister, Yoriko Kawaguchi, has signed a US$150 million loan to Uzbekistan to help link Asia and Afghanistan's rail systems.
Man survives car plunge, escapes train collision
A 23-year-old man narrowly escaped death this morning when a train crushed the car he had just got out of in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak.
Japan signs loan for rail line in Uzbekistan
Japan's Foreign Minister, Yoriko Kawaguchi, has signed a $US150 million loan to Uzbekistan to help link Asia and Afghanistan's rail systems.
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.
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.
Gheringhap Sightings w/e 28/8/2004.
Hi Guy's, We have had 136 sightings this week which is 33 sightings more than last week, the grain trains have come back with a bang with 12 grain trains on Tuesday alone. The total sightings for the year to date is 4252.
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.
AN3 to Darwin
AN3 trailled NR74 on 1AD8 to Darwin; 29-8-2004
Range of issues up for debate
"It's about deciding whether you want two hats or one," he said.
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.
AN3 ON THE GHAN!!
AN3 ON 1AD8 TO DARWIN!!!!
The Ozback Explorer
The Ozback Explorer is on its way!!!
Celebrations mark train history
A celebration is being held to mark the centenary of an event which changed the face of travel in the North East.