News in brief – 30 September-6 October 2009

New body set to control Tasmania's rail
By Rob McKay
The Tasmanian Government moved in parliament on September 29th to set up a state-owned company to control and operate the Tasmanian freight rail business it bought from Asciano this year.
It is planned the new company, Tasmanian Railway, will officially take ownership of the former Pacific National Tasmania business on November 30th.
Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges said that three relevant bills would “allow for the progression of important transition planning arrangements in preparation for the formal transfer of ownership”.
“The passage of this legislation will provide much-needed certainty to Pacific National Tasmania employees, rail customers and the broader Tasmanian community,” Sturges said.
“The government believes the deal it has brokered for the purchase of the Tasmanian rail business, and the outcomes it will deliver, have the overwhelming support of both industry and the community.”
Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – www.lloydslistdcn.com.au

Independent Public Inquiry into Sydney's Long Term Public Transport Plan
Public submissions into an independent public inquiry to create a long term public transport plan for Sydney will close on October 8th.
The plan is designed to assist both the present and future governments to make informed decisions about priorities for transport investment.
For more information visit: www.transportpublicinquiry.com.au
Submissions can be submitted electronically at: submissions@transportpublicinquiry.com.au by 6pm on October 8th.

New passing loop at Mindaribba completed
The modernisation of the Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne rail corridor continues with the opening of a new passing loop at Mindaribba between Maitland and Dungog in New South Wales, three months ahead of schedule.
The $13.6 million project replaced an obsolete 700-metre passing loop with a new one able to cater for trains of up to 1,500-metres long.The Mindaribba loop project included new track, two new turnouts with entry speeds of 50kph and an overbridge and the installation of the latest signalling technology, enabling trains to pass each other more safely and efficiently.
ARTC chief executive David Marchant said the new passing loop at Mindaribba complements the other recently constructed loops at Dungog, Nana Glen, Tamrookum and Greenbank.
“The work currently underway on this vital rail corridor is part of the biggest rail project to be initiated since the track was originally laid more than a century ago,” Marchant said.
“The upgrade of the Mindaribba passing loop is another important milestone in the north-south strategy to increase capacity and cut transit times from Melbourne to Sydney by 20 per cent (up to 2 hours 50 minutes) and by almost 20 per cent (3 hours 50 minutes) between Sydney and Brisbane.”
The ARTC delivered the project in partnership with TEJV, AANCSA and Downer EDI Works.

Bombardier to supply China with 80 HS trains
Bombardier Transportation announced on September 28th that its Chinese joint venture, Bombardier Sifang (Qingdao) Transportation, has been selected by the Chinese Ministry of Railways (MOR) to supply 80 ZEFIRO 380 very high speed trains (1,120 cars) for the country’s rapidly growing high speed rail network.The contract, including 20 eight-car trainsets and 60 sixteen-car trainsets, is valued at an estimated $US4 billion.Bombardier’s share of the contract is estimated at $US2 billion.
The new trainsets will be an integral part of an evolving high speed rail capability in China, which is developing more than 6,000 km of new high speed lines to create one of the most advanced high speed rail networks in the world.
The first train is scheduled for delivery in 2012 with final deliveries expected in 2014.

Fatigue management plan vital for reducing risk of injury
In order to minimise workplace injuries in the rail industry due to human error, Pro-Visual Publishing is urging all companies to implement a Fatigue Management Plan with their 2009/10 edition of the Rail Industry Guide to Workplace Safety.
The safety guide, which will be distributed free to all members of the rail industry in the coming weeks, draws attention to the symptoms of fatigue, emphasising that fatigued workers are less able to respond effectively to changing circumstances, leading to increased risk of injury.
Rail workers will encounter safety critical work at any time, day or night, in sometimes difficult circumstances and, at times, with demanding work schedules. A Fatigue Management Plan takes a systematic approach to the management of fatigue-related risks, leading to improved safety, efficiency, productivity and operational flexibility, while also satisfying a company’s duty of care to its employees and the public.
“We urge all rail industry employers to implement a Fatigue Management Plan, ensuring shift lengths, roster designs and other risk factors are taken into consideration to minimise worker fatigue,” Pro-Visual Publishing chief executive John Hutchings said.
For further information visit: www.provisual.com.au