GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY

NSW grain review report released

The Australian Government has released the final report from the NSW Grain Freight Review Taskforce. Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said the review, conducted by former deputy chair of the National Transport Commission Des Powell, assessed the current state of the road and rail infrastructure underpinning the operation of the State's grain industry. "A copy of the report has been provided to the NSW Government for their consideration, given they own much of the infrastructure and have responsibility for its day-to-day operations. I understand they will be responding in the near future,” Mr Albanese said. “The NSW grains industry is a critical part of the national economy. Each year NSW farmers produce between five and six million tonnes of grain for our domestic and export markets,” Mr Burke said.

Continued investment in rail infrastructure

Minister for Transport David Campbell announced that the NSW Government would allocate additional funds to Rail Clearways projects, which are designed to increase the capacity of the CityRail system and reduce train delays. Mr Campbell said changes to the program had led to additional funding being allocated. “These Clearways projects provide new rail lines, stabling facilities and rail turnbacks which will get trains around the network quicker and with more efficiency,” Mr Campbell said. “The Government recognises the importance of these projects and that is why it has approved an additional $130 million for Rail Clearways.”

NSW border to Acacia Ridge rail upgrade

Work is now underway on the upgrade of the line between the NSW border and the Brisbane suburb of Acacia Ridge. The $55.8 million project will replace existing timber sleepers with 105,000 new concrete sleepers. As well as the replacement of sleepers, the project will also involve the provision of narrow gauge access from Acacia Ridge to Bromelton and from Bromelton to Glenapp as well as the conversion of existing loops to dual gauge track.

Rail on the agenda as new forum meets in Ouyen

Local Government leaders from across western and north-western Victoria met in Ouyen to hear directly from the Brumby Labor Government on the progress of regional rail projects. Chairing the inaugural Goldfields Wimmera Sunraysia Rail Projects Consultative Forum, Public Transport Minister Lynne Kosky said it would provide high-level engagement with local government to identify opportunities and maximise benefits from the Brumby Labor Government’s unprecedented investment in the rail network in western and north-western Victoria. Ms Kosky said mayors and CEOs from 15 shires throughout western and north-western Victoria had been invited to participate in forums held every four months. “This is a tremendous opportunity for us to work together with local government to deliver quality rail projects that will benefit regional communities,” she said.

Contract awarded for Regional Rail Link design services

The $4.3 billion Regional Rail Link project has reached another major milestone with the appointment of Kellogg Brown and Root (KBR) and Arup to complete the final planning and geotechnical work before construction starts in 2010. The Regional Rail Link project is being jointly funded by the Rudd Labor Government contributing $3.2 billion and the Brumby Labor Government spending $1.1 billion.

$1 billion tram contract to boost Victoria’s manufacturing industry

The Victorian Government’s $1 billion Melbourne tram contract will have 25% local manufacturing content after reportedly becoming the first project nominated under the Victorian Industry Participation Policy, aimed at boosting the state’s industry. The State Government announced on 19 October that it has shortlisted Alstom and Bombardier to design and build Melbourne’s fleet of 50 new low floor trams, with the companies invited to tender before the end of the year. The first of the new trams are expected to be in service in 2012.

Minister opens Saskatchewan’s 10th shortline railway

Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter officially opened Saskatchewan's 10th Shortline Railway. "The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to play a role in helping establish Last Mountain Railway," Reiter said. "Shortlines help link our export-based economy to worldwide markets and support economic development in rural areas." Last Mountain Railway received a $1.6 million interest-free provincial government loan toward the purchase price of $5.1 million for 108 km of track between Davidson and Lumsden from North America’s Railroad (CN). The new shortline will lease from CN the remaining 27 km from Lumsden to Regina with a future option to buy.

INDUSTRY

ATHRA Alert update

The Association of Tourist & Heritage Rail Australia (ATHRA) has released its latest ATHRA Alert. This issue includes:

• Stage 2 rules and procedures associated with ANRP
• Code of practice for defining rail safety work
• Emergency management planning guideline.

Rail associations link up to make an interoperable railway a reality

The European Rail Infrastructure Managers (EIM), the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the International Union of Railways (UIC) have announced that they will be working together more closely on a number of technical issues in the future. Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director-General of UIC said, “As the technical research and standardisation body for the rail operating community, UIC is pleased to be involved within the Coordination Technical Group in this significant step towards ensuring that all the interfaces essential to moving the rail sector towards greater system interoperability are being addressed in a coordinated manner.”

Minnesota's new commuter train service to commence in November

Schedules have been set and final preparations are being made for the launching of Northstar Commuter Rail service to and from Big Lake and Minneapolis through Anoka County on 16 November. Northstar trains are making simulated runs up and down the line during the scheduled times to work out any kinks and to dovetail with Burlington-Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF) freight service.

ACCIDENTS

Man falls to his death from Melbourne train

A man who jumped from a moving train on Melbourne's city loop was killed after he fell between the carriage and platform and was dragged onto the tracks, police say. Witnesses told police the 36-year-old and his 35-year-old female companion forced the doors open as the Frankston-bound train accelerated out of Melbourne Central station. The woman jumped to the platform safely, but the man fell and was dragged onto the tracks. "The train doors closed, catching his foot," a police spokeswoman said. The train was halted at the next stop, Parliament station, and the rail tunnel was closed while the tracks were searched. Police said the man's body was found 100 metres from where he slipped between the train and the platform.

Ghan derails after hitting large bull

A Ghan train travelling between Alice Springs and Adelaide has derailed after hitting a large bull. Senior Sergeant Michael Potts said the south-bound passenger train hit and killed a large bull on the railway line near Rose Hill Station in South Australia on 18 November. Potts said there were no injuries, and only the locomotive derailed, with the railway line cleared by 4am.

Mathura train collision leaves up to 15 dead

Two trains collided on 21 October near the town of Mathura in northern India, leaving 10 to 15 people dead and up to 50 trapped. The Senior Superintendent of Police in Mathura said 15 bodies had been pulled from the wreckage of one of the trains.