QR Network

Central Rail Line Reopens Following CQ Floods

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:16:00 GMT

The Central Rail Line has reopened after being closed due to significant damage in the Central Queensland floods on New Year's Eve.

QR Network Acting Executive General Manager Tim Ripper said QR crews had been working around the clock for 16 days to have the rail line open following extensive damage to the rail corridor.

"This is a tremendous show of dedication and hard work to have this vital line reopened," Mr Ripper said.

"There was significant damage where parts of the ground had washed away requiring major repair work, and further rains hampered repair efforts during the last fortnight.

"The Spirit of the Outback service from Brisbane will arrive at Emerald tomorrow afternoon, then travel to Longreach, before making its return trip to Brisbane.

"Passenger and freight services have been effected with the closure of the line and we'd like to thank everyone for their patience while we worked to have this line reopened."

QR also advises residents in the Emerald area that the Opal Street level crossing will be blocked on Monday afternoon while the Spirit of the Outback is stationed in Emerald for approximately 30 minutes.

The Spirit of the Outback will arrive in Emerald at around 3.40pm Monday afternoon and connect with a passenger train which has been stranded at Emerald Station since the floods. The level crossing will be blocked until the trains are joined together and leave the station en route to Brisbane.

Local police have been advised and road detours have been established to minimise the impact on local traffic.

QR begins repairs on rail lines affected by flooding

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 13:25:40 GMT

Flooding in the central west and north west of the state continues to have an impact on a number of QR rail lines.

The central line remains closed between Emerald and Longreach and the Mount Isa line was also closed overnight following concerns about rising floodwaters around Julia Creek.

QR Acting CEO Michael Carter says everything is being done to safely attend to the damage and have trains running again as soon as possible, but further rain may hamper efforts.

"We are still investigating the full extent of the damage and there are significant areas where the ground has washed away under the rail line between Emerald and Longreach. These areas will need major repair work.

"We are having difficulty accessing some areas with rain still falling, but hope that some repairs can start today," he said.

The track on the central line is not expected to re-open before the end of next week.

Mr Carter says a limited number of trains are being affected.

"The Spirit of the Outback service is operating as far as Emerald and we are providing a bus beyond Emerald to help customers reach their destinations through to Longreach.

"These alternate services are being assessed on a daily basis and we ask customers to check the Traveltrain website for the latest information.

"A limited number of freight services have been affected", he said.

The Mount Isa line was also closed last night between Hughenden and Mount Isa following safety concerns about rising floodwaters in the northwest, but the line has been re-opened this morning and there has been minimal impact to trains.

The western line between Charleville and Quilpie also remains affected by flooding.

One freight service has been cancelled on the line, but no passenger services have been affected.

For more information - www.traveltrain.com.au

New 10.5km rail track boosts Queensland coal capacity

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:52:00 GMT

QR's infrastructure business, QR Network, has completed the duplication of a 10.5 kilometre section of track between Stanwell and Wycarbah, which will contribute to increased capacity for coal transport from central Queensland mines to power stations and export ports.

QR Network Executive General Manager Mike Carter said the $71.5 million project was an important milestone in QR Network's five-year $900 million investment program, and will meet its customers' requirements for increased capacity and performance of the Queensland coal rail network.

"The Blackwater System links the mines in the Bowen Basin to coal terminals at the Port of Gladstone.� This project will provide them with greater flexibility and reliability," he said.

"This project is the seventh in a series of 12 track duplication projects aimed at boosting the Blackwater system's capacity to meet customer demand in parallel with the projected port capacity increase.

"By the end of 2009, QR Network will have fully duplicated nearly 80 percent of the Blackwater rail system, leading to a 40 percent increase in capacity for the coal supply chain.

"The Stanwell to Wycarbah project has contributed to Queensland jobs, with an estimated 550 jobs created in the region, including those directly involved in the construction as well as equipment suppliers, accommodation providers and workers in other associated industries such as manufacturing.

"The project included construction of the new Bushley Overpass Bridge over the Capricorn Highway, a number of other smaller rail bridges, track, electrification and signalling.

"Not only did our dedicated team of QR Network staff and contractors complete this project on budget, they delivered it safely, with no lost time injuries," Mr Carter said.

QR wins rail maintenance contract worth up to $100m

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 12:16:00 GMT

National transport & logistics company QR has won a contract worth up to $100m to provide maintenance services for Australia's interstate rail network.

In an eight year deal, QR will provide rail grinding services to the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC), which manages interstate, standard (1.435 metres) gauge track and NSW freight lines including the Hunter Valley coal chain.

This is the largest external contract won by QR's services business and increases its share of the national rail grinding market to 70 per cent from 40 per cent two years ago.

It also continues the expansion of QR Services which secured new business in Western Australia and Tasmania last year.

QR Services has a workforce of more than 5,000 and offers design, procurement, construction, maintenance and management services.

"Winning this contract in the open market is testament to our expertise, experience, technical excellence and leading edge technology but is not at the expense of our ability to service the Queensland rail network," QR Chief Executive Officer Lance Hockridge said.

QR will grind approximately 3,000km of ARTC's 10,000km network each year from Brisbane to Kalgoorlie, with approximately half of the work to be carried out in the Hunter Valley.

Last year QR Services won $20 million contracts to deliver rail grinding services for WestNet Rail in Western Australia and replace rail and sleepers in Tasmania for the Tasmanian Government.

Rail grinding extends the life of tracks and trains by using powerful machines to return tracks to their original shape, reducing vibration, fuel usage and wear and tear.

As QR's Queensland network is predominantly narrow (1.067 metre) gauge, the rail grinding will be carried out by a dedicated Newcastle-based team using a new Loram machine imported from the United States.

The new machinery is more efficient and fully automated, predicting the best method to improve the track while removing the minimal amount of metal, and cutting grinding time by 75 per cent.

Rail grinding work is expected to start in June.

QR signs $70 million-plus locomotive purchase from United Group

Sun, 18 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT

National transport and logistics company QR continues to expand its capability with the purchase of 12 new locomotives for its fleet from United Group Ltd for more than $70 million.

The acquisition by QR's Intermodal (containerised) business comes only weeks after it announced a $45 million, five-year leasing deal with Downer EDI for nine new locomotives.

QR Executive General Manager Freight Ken Lewsey said the first of the C44 Aci locomotives was expected to be delivered in July, with final delivery planned for all 12 by December.

"These deals demonstrate our determination to build a strong position in the national general freight market, which is worth more than $1 billion per year," Mr Lewsey said.

"The market is forecast to double between 2000 and 2020 as product is shifted from road to rail and with our new fleet we aim to leverage off that growth and expand our market share.

"The benefits of new rollingstock include improved reliability, availability and increased haulage capacity, which is good news for customers. It also allows for reduced fuel and maintenance costs, which enhances the competitiveness of our service offering."

Mr Lewsey said the state-of-the-art AC traction systems installed in the new 6000 class locomotives delivered greater haulage capability and efficiencies.

He said the new 134 tonne models had 3,250 kilowatts (kW) available for traction, meaning two of them could deliver the power of three of the older locomotives.

"This is a big advantage in the difficult terrain on some parts of the network," he said.

Mr Lewsey said the locomotives' ECP braking system improved safety and reduced stopping distances by up to 30-40% compared with the current fleet.

"There is good news for the environment too with reduced carbon emissions produced through lower fuel consumption," he said.

Mr Lewsey said QR planned more investments to meet growing demand for its freight services, including the purchase of new wagons to complement the delivery of the new locomotives.

Each week QR Intermodal offers four services on the eastern seaboard between Cairns and Melbourne, six services from Melbourne to Adelaide and two services from Melbourne to Perth.