TasRail
TasRail
Tasmania’s world-class vertically integrated short-haul freight railway
T
asmanian Railway Pty Limited (TasRail) is committed to delivering transport and logistics solutions that are safe, reliable, financially and environmentally sustainable. TasRail is more than a train service in Tasmania. It’s forever striving to be a world class, vertically integrated short-haul freight railway. Established in 2009, it is a Stateowned company that specialises in handling and hauling a range of commodities, from containerised freight to bulk and dangerous goods. Headquartered in Launceston, the company employs 240 members of staff.
lOGisTiCs As one of the largest transport service providers in Tasmania, TasRail connects industry and commerce to major shipping ports and freight hubs across the State. The Tasmanian Rail Network is a single line, narrow gauge (1067 millimetre) transport system. The Operational Network extends from Brighton to Western Junction and to the Port of Bell Bay in the north east and Burnie in the north west. Connections are also provided to Fingal in the east and Boyer in the Derwent Valley. The Melba Line (formerly named the Emu Bay Line) connects the West Coast to Burnie. In total, the network includes 611 route kilometres
of operational track, 232 route kilometres of non-operational track and more than 1.3 million sleepers. In addition, there are 355 bridges, three tunnels and 106 active level crossings with over 250 private level crossings and livestock crossings. “Our terminals are designed to support multi modal operations and the efficient, seamless and timely transfer of freight,” says TasRail. As the owner and operator of Tasmania’s only open access minerals Shiploader and bulk handling service, TasRail is also able to integrate its operations with industry, offering ‘pit to port’ solutions by transporting bulk commodities direct from mine to market.
Interfleet is one of the world’s leading international rail consultancies providing strategic, engineering and technology advice to the international railway industry in order to enhance our clients most pressing business outcomes and is able to draw upon the skills and knowledge of over 600 highly experienced rail professionals in order to offer world class and best practice advice. We have a proven track record over many years of delivering business benefits for our clients in the areas of Rolling Stock, Infrastructure, Rail Control Systems and Strategic Transport Advisory services. Interfleet’s business is firmly grounded in the expertise of its staff. Through their combined diverse skills and experience, our industry experts make Interfleet a leader in rail consultancy across the globe. Interfleet is providing invaluable expertise to clients across Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Wellington, Interfleet Australasia has an extensive history of supporting clients across the region since 1997 with our highly mobile, expert and flexible team. Interfleet is a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world.
Because expertise matters.
Because Expertise Matters Interfleet Australasia has an extensive history supporting clients throughout the region with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Wellington. Interfleet’s team of specialists can provide knowledge and expertise to help deliver the best solutions, applying international best practice to your local context.
www.interfleet-australasia +61 (0) 2 9262 6011
Image courtesy of TasRail
BUILDING THE PLATFORM OF CUTTING EDGE MOBILITY
Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry that covers the full spectrum of rail solutions from the manufacture of passenger rail vehicles, to the provision of complete rail transportation systems & system integration, signalling, propulsion & control technology, asset management and through life support with local engineering and manufacturing. Bombardier Transportation, a division of Bombardier Inc, has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide and with over 60 systems in operation around the globe; Bombardier is highly proven to deliver turnkey transportation systems.
www.bombardier.com
Bombardier Transportation is highly active & thrives in the areas of: đƫ Passenger Rolling Stock đƫ Railway Signalling Equipment & Installation đƫ Turnkey Transportation Systems đƫ Propulsion & Train Control đƫ Bogies đƫ Asset Management
Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.
Some of our current high profile projects in Australia include but are not limited to: đƫ Melbourne E Class Trams đƫ Adelaide A-City EMU Trains đƫ Adelaide DMU & EMU Fleet Maintenance đƫ Adelaide Light Rail Vehicle (Trams) đƫ VLocity DMU Trains đƫ V/Line Fleet Maintenance đƫ Queensland Next Generation Rollingstock (QNGR) đƫ Gold Coast Rapid Transit System đƫ Perth “B” Series Trains đƫ Perth A & B Series Fleet Maintenance
iNVEsTMENT Since 2011, TasRail has been investing in a new fleet of purposebuilt locomotives and wagons that are in operation across the network, increasing hauling capacity, efficiency and reliability. This includes seventeen TR Class locomotives and 276 wagons including Intermodal wagons, coal wagons, ore wagons and log wagons. Final acceptance of this fleet is expected later this year, and is something TasRail has labelled
a ‘game changer’. The improved single locomotive design, catering for 16 and 18 tonne axle loads with a 92% annual availability will substantially reduce maintenance costs. Crucially, the vehicles offer superior driver safety and comfort and more readily available parts, service and warranty support. Another area of significant investment has been to update the Train Control System from manual to automated. With safety absolutely paramount, this $11 million investment installed leading edge
technology across all operations. The previous system required considerable human interaction and compliance with operating rules, using paper-based procedures. Due to human error in this process, TasRail experienced a number of safe working breaches. The new Advanced Network Train Control System provides visibility of on-track vehicles to give additional protection through warning and alarms to the operators and Network Control.
TasRail sTaFF TasRail is a values driven organisation, with a set of core values that define the company. Safety, integrity, leadership, responsibility, teamwork, excellence and innovation are the pillars upon which the organisation is built. Reflecting these values to the public falls upon the 240 members of staff that make up the TasRail workforce, which is why their conduct is integral to the company’s operations. “The TasRail Way also outlines
the principles that underpin the way TasRail approaches what are frequently complex social and economic decisions that affect us individually, and as a company - they are essential to TasRail’s commitment to sustainable development,” says the company.
THE iMPORTaNCE OF Rail
“Working safely is fundamental to the success of our business. A safety or health incident could lead to personal harm for an individual, which we strive to avoid at all costs. Employees are required to stop and complete a pre-task hazard assessment prior to commencing work activities to minimise the risk of an unplanned event. All our people are empowered – and encouraged – to stop work if they don’t feel safe.”
In 2013-14 alone, those savings were worth approximately $26 million to the Tasmanian community, highlighting the integral part TasRail plays in supporting the wider economy.
In July 2015, a major study into the benefits of rail freight in Tasmania revealed that moving freight by rail rather than road will deliver an estimated $159 million in savings to the state’s economy over the five years to 2019.
The study was commissioned by TasRail and undertaken by leading infrastructure consultants Pitt & Sherry. It shows the savings were generated by reducing costs related to road accidents, pollution and road maintenance as well as the operating costs of industry and commerce.
TasRail Chief Executive Damien White said the study highlights the underlying benefits of using rail to the community and individual businesses. “One of TasRail’s important competitive advantages is to help industries strengthen their social licences by moving freight by rail rather than by road. It’s providing vital social, environmental and economic benefits,” said White. “Over the past five years, the Tasmanian and Australian Governments have provided the funds to rejuvenate the state’s rail system, which they clearly recognise as a critical part of Tasmania’s transport infrastructure.” The data revealed that the use of rail freight in Tasmania rather than
road freight saved around $7 million in road accident costs; $1 million in environmental costs; $9 million in road maintenance costs; and up to $9 million in the operating costs of business and industry.
MOViNG FORWaRD As White states, the rail industry in Tasmania had endured a very chequered past, but TasRail is committed to being a State-owned company that all Tasmanians can and should be proud of. “TasRail is literally the backbone of the State’s integrated freight network. It carries the lion’s share of the contestable freight task, and it is now well poised to help facilitate further economic benefits for the State,” he says.
Oliver Moy Publisher For enquiries email okm@aubusinesscoverage.com African Business Coverage Issue 9