News in Brief ? 14-20 April 2010

ARTC to support coal industry QR bid The coal industry’s syndicate, the Queensland Coal Industry Group (QCIG), that will make a bid for QR’s below-rail business has taken a step forward with the Australian Rail Track Corporation reportedly signing a confidentiality agreement with QCIG. ARTC could brief QCIG as early as this Friday on how it would propose to operate QR’s network, The Australian reported. It is also believed that ARTC may have entered discussions on the basis that it could contribute equity to the bid vehicle, The Australian reported.UGL wins $100m rolling stock order for QR UGL’s rail division has secured a $100m new freight rolling stock and wagon order with QR Limited. The manufacturing and delivery orders include: 4 x C44ACi locomotives for operation in the Hunter Valley 160 x QHBH freight wagons for operation in the Hunter Valley and 200 x VCB freight wagons for operation in the Bowen Basin. The manufacturing and delivery of the orders will be undertaken through a number of the company’s Australian rail facilities including those in New South Wales and Queensland. “The business is currently experiencing a near record level of tendering activity across all of the company’s operations supporting increasing levels of visibility and confidence as we move forward,” UGL chief executive Richard Leupen said.China to supply HS trains to US China’s plans of exporting and licensing its high-speed rail expertise to the US have become a reality. The Chinese Ministry of railways has reportedly signed deals wih California and General Electric for the construction of its HS bullet trains. Chinese railroad ministry director Zheng Jian reportedly said China would also send engineers and technicians to work in the US if the contracts are signed.Greens in frame for Tasmanian infrastructure ministry By Rob McKay Speculation is mounting in Tasmania that Greens MP Tim Morris might gain the infrastructure portfolio in a Labor-led coalition government when ministries are finally agreed. Morris has shadowed former infrastructure minister Graeme Sturges (also responsible for transport), who lost his seat in the recent election which saw the Greens win five seats and the balance of power. However, most of Morris’s statements have concentrated on water management rather than freight transport. Sturges received most Greens criticism on freight issues from Kim Booth, especially over the Flinders Island service. Despite earlier ruling out a deal with the Greens, premier David Bartlett has been in private talks with Greens leader Nick McKim over a power-sharing arrangement. Whoever gets the portfolio will have to deal with a transport policy in turmoil with: Bell Bay losing business to Devonport a need to upgrade the state’s rail infrastructure and keeping afloat the troubled Flinders Island shipping service. Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lloydslistdcn.com.au">www.lloydslistdcn.com.au</a>More safety upgrades for level crossings ARTC has installed boom gates, bells and lights at level crossings at Korunye, Mallala, Wirrega and Avon, South Australia. The Federal government allocated $13.6m from its Boom Gates for Rail Crossings Program to upgrade safety around the state. Boom gates and lights have also been installed at Temora and Quipolly, New South Wales as part of a $42.7m federal investment into the state. All up, the $150m federal program is funding safety upgrades at 292 level crossings across Australia.Wheat exports decline 11% in February By Sineva Toevai The volume of wheat exported by Australia dropped to about 1.2mt in February from 1.4mt in January, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE). While exports from New South Wales and Victoria rose, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia all recorded a drop in volumes, ABARE’s latest report said. Bulk shipments dropped 174,700t to about 994,300t in February from 1.2mt with Indonesia, China and Korea being the biggest export markets. Wheat committed for export rose to about 3.5mt from about 3.3mt in the previous month. Source: Lloyd’s List Daily Commercial News – <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lloydslistdcn.com.au">www.lloydslistdcn.com.au</a>RISSB update The Rail Industry Safety and Standard’s Board (RISSB) has produced a first draft document based on the former Volume II: Glossary of the Code of Practice for the Defined Interstate Rail Network (COP for the DIRN). This guideline, now known as the Glossary of Railway Terminology is intended as a national guideline which includes previous terminology for the DIRN, but also extends to railway terminology generally (i.e. not just the DIRN, but the national rail network). This document will supersede Volume II of the COP for the DIRN, and be a “living document”, being updated in accordance with the issuance of other RISSB documents. It is classed as a RISSB Guideline because it is NOT mandatory or normative, but informative. Interested industry members are invited to submit their comments between April 19th and May 17th. 19 April. To download the glossary visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rissb.com.au">www.rissb.com.au</a> under the Operations tab in the Products Matrix. RISSB has also released a draft Wheel Defect Manual for its first open review until June 25th. The draft describes the various key forms of wheel-related defects on rolling stock and the recommended operational and rectification actions. It is a companion document to the AS 7514 “Railway rolling stock – Wheels” standards published last month. To download the draft manual visit: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rissb.com.au">www.rissb.com.au</a>&nbsp

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