Freight Rail

CBH trials new mega train

WA agribusiness CBH Group has broken its own record for Australia’s longest grain train, running a 1.8-kilometre train to its terminal at Kwinana, south of Perth.

The record-breaking train was made up of 120 wagons and three locomotives, and delivered over 9,000 tonnes of wheat to the export site in a single trip this week.

The movement broke CBH’s previous grain industry record of 88 wagons, set in July 2016, by a 1.3-kilometre train carrying 6,500 tonnes of wheat.

CBH general manager for operations David Capper said the new record train was part of a trial undertaken to better understand how CBH could transport grain in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

“When we made the rail investment back in 2010-11 and partnered with our rail operator Watco, the overwhelming driver was to take control of above rail operations and deliver our growers the most efficient transport service possible,” Capper said.

“In that first year, we were able to reduce freight rates by 7% and while these reductions have continued – rail freight rates are about 20 per cent lower now than in 2010-11 – there is so much more we want to achieve.”

After setting the previous record in 2016, CBH continued using 88-wagon trains as part of its suite of transport options.

Capper said the success of the new 120-wagon train trial would enable the company to drive further efficiencies and provide more options to utilise its wagons more effectively.

He said CBH worked in consultation with network operator Arc Infrastructure to ensure the record train met safe operating standards.

“While operating longer and larger trains creates economies of scale, we have to balance these efficiencies against other logistics considerations including the allocation of our rolling stock resources throughout the rest of network.

“We learnt a lot when running the previous 88 wagon-train in 2016, and through this trial, we’ll build on those learnings to make sure we get growers’ grain to market in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible.

“It’s certainly not about setting a record, but it is nice to see Western Australia out in front.”

1 Comment

  1. This should be the norm across the country for grain trains. None of this steam-era train length and tonnage nonsense.