Lachlan Valley fleet upgrade starts delivery

<p>Sydney-based rail operator Lachlan Valley Railway has taken the first deliveries in its order for 100 newly-built container wagons, as preparations continue for this month’s loading in Europe of 16 refurbished locos.</p> <p>The first 42 wagons arrived in Newcastle from China last week and are currently under test, ahead of possible deployment this week. A further 52 are due to arrive next week. </p> <p>Lachlan Valley also expects to start loading on February 15 the first six of 16 refurbished 2,600 kW ex-Danish Railways locos which it bought last year.</p> <p>The units will give Lachlan Valley the capability of operating interstate trains.</p> <p> Lachlan Valley parent Macarthur Intermodal Shipping Terminal has plans to develop its Minto port shuttle terminal into a full interstate operation, in co-operation with Melbourne-based AusTrak. </p> <p>MIST also operates a terminal site at Harefield, near Wagga Wagga, close to halfway between Sydney and Brisbane.</p> <p>The new LVR wagons have 12 metres (60 ft) of container stowage in combinations of 20 ft, 40 ft and 48 ft domestic units, with a payload of 92 tonnes. They are fitted with several new features, including self-steering bogies which reduce track wear. </p> <br />