QR Freight

QR improves Central Queensland freight services

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:07:00 GMT

QR is expanding freight capacity for customers in Gladstone and Bundaberg by increasing 'Seafreighter' rail services to the Port of Brisbane.

QR's Group General Manager Regional Freight Neil Backer said that from 8 March the number of services from Gladstone to Brisbane would increase from two to five and the number of services from Bundaberg would increase from two to four.

He said the increased frequency of services had been made possible by operational improvements including the replacement of the twice-weekly Seafreighter rail service between Biloela and the Port of Brisbane which also services Gladstone and Bundaberg.

Because of the relatively low rail volume of freight from Biloela and the short haulage distances to major rail and road transport hubs, the rail service could not compete with the faster, more frequent and lower-cost road transport.

"QR has been consulting with affected customers in Biloela about the changes, and they will now be using a combination of both rail and road transport solutions," Mr Backer said.

"From 25 February, freight will be carried by road from Biloela to Rockhampton to link with the six services from Rockhampton to Brisbane each week.

"Our customers have confirmed that they have finalised their preparations to commence the new operations today (25 February)."

Mr Backer said there would be no impact on QR traincrew or staff positions at Biloela as a result of these changes.

"We are changing how we use trains to provide a more efficient and effective solution for our customers," he said.

"Customers, employees, unions and other stakeholders have been consulted about the changes."

QR Signs $200 million rail haulage contracts with Xstrata

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:47:00 GMT

QR's specialist bulk freight subsidiary ARG today announced it had signed contracts with Xstrata Mount Isa Mines Limited worth more than $200 million over the next five years.

In agreements effective from 1 December 2009, ARG will transport about 1.4 million tonnes per year of bulk mineral concentrates, metals and mining inputs on the North West rail corridor of Queensland between Mount Isa and Townsville.

ARG Bulk East Group General Manager Chris Gregg said he was pleased to announce the signing of the agreements which continue a relationship dating back to 1929 when QR first began railing freight on this corridor.

"These commercial agreements feature innovative arrangements which achieve better utilisation of resources and improve service reliability," Mr Gregg said.

"We've also improved efficiency by consolidating a number of different contracts and are upgrading our wagon fleet to support the new arrangements.

"These are the first contracts signed by ARG since it took over rail operations between Mount Isa and Townsville in July from QR's Regional Freight business, bringing its expertise and experience in bulk freight and competitive markets to this corridor.

"ARG's presence in this highly prospective region ensures QR is well placed to realise growth opportunities, increase market share and better meet our customers' needs."

Mark Roberts, General Manager Refinery, Port and Logistics, Xstrata Copper, said: "Xstrata Mount Isa Mines looks forward to continuing its relationship with QR, through ARG, for the transport of its products on the Mount Isa to Townsville rail line.

"This line is strategically important to our business for the transport of zinc and copper concentrate, copper anode and lead bullion from our operations in Mount Isa to our Townsville copper refinery and port operations."

Raglan derailment update

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:00:00 GMT

QR crews at the site of a derailed freight train at Raglan in central Queensland expect one of the two tracks on the North Coast line to be open by 6pm this evening.

Seventy QR staff are working to clear the site after 13 wagons of a 33-wagon southbound freight train derailed at the Gentle Annie Crossroads at 2pm yesterday.

The driver-only train was returning from Cairns to Brisbane carrying fruit, with many carriages empty. The driver was not injured.

Reopening of one line will allow diesel-powered freight and passenger trains to proceed as normal. These include the northbound Sunlander, which left Brisbane at 1.25pm, the Southbound Sunlander that left Cairns at 9.15am and the southbound Spirit of the Outback, which will leave Rockhampton at 8.45pm.

Passengers on today's Rockhampton-bound tilt train will be bussed from Gladstone, with minimal delays. Tomorrow's 7.15am return journey will start with a bus to Gladstone, then run to schedule.� Passenger inquiries can also be made to toll free number 1800 803 009.

Crews expect to be able to restore electricity on the open line by 6pm Friday. The second track is expected to be closed until the weekend because of damage to the track and overhead electric equipment.

Pls call 0409 494 296 for further information

Freight train derailment

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:35:00 GMT

At 2pm today, a number of wagons of a 33-wagon QR National freight train derailed near Raglan, between Gladstone and Rockhampton.

The train was returning from Cairns to Brisbane.

The driver-only train was carrying fruit from North Queensland with many carriages empty. There were no dangerous goods.

The driver was not injured. Police and fire are securing the site.

The derailment has blocked both tracks on the north coast line and damaged to overhead line equipment.

QR staff are on site to plan the recovery process once preliminary investigations have been completed.

A local road, Gentle Annie Rd, which is about 200 metres off the Bruce Highway, is blocked.

The derailment will impact on coal, freight and passenger services, and currently there is no estimate for the re-opening of the line.

Three passenger trains are affected, with minimal delays expected for passengers.

The Northbound tilt train that left Brisbane for Rockhampton this morning at 11am, will stop at Gladstone at 5:12pm. The remaining passengers will be bussed to Rockhampton.

The southbound Tilt Train that left Cairns at 9:15am this morning will terminate at Rockhampton tomorrow morning. QR will then bus the passengers between Rockhampton and Bundaberg, where passengers will join another tilt train service to Brisbane. It departs Bundaberg at 5:15am.

Tomorrow's 7:15am Tilt Train from Rockhampton to Brisbane will start with a bus service to Gladstone. From there the tilt train will run to timetable to Brisbane.

Passenger inquiries can also be made to toll free number 1800 803 009.

QR is contacting freight customers directly.

QR maintains North Queensland freight services

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:44:30 GMT

The head of QR's freight business today confirmed that QR's freight distribution centres at Bowen, Ayr, and Tully would continue operating as normal with existing rail services for customers.

The Executive General Manager of QR Freight, Ken Lewsey, said he had not seen or approved a proposal, developed at operational level, to move rail freight to road for these centres.

"There was a proposal under development to change one rail freight service so QR could also provide a new service for another North Queensland company into Brisbane and southern states," he said.

"The proposal would have seen an option to move low-volume freight to road but with an increase in volumes on rail whilst also continuing current services to all those communities.

"I confirm that this proposal is now not proceeding. This current rail service to Bowen, Ayr, and Tully will continue and these depots will remain open."

Mr Lewsey said QR remains committed to delivering freight services to regional Queensland, and will continue to work on improving services for its customers.