Pacific National reported mulling its Tasmanian deal

<p>Pacific National could cancel the planned sell-off of its Tasmanian rail assets, possibly forcing the State Government to take legal action against parent company Asciano, <em>The Mercury</em> reported today.</p> <p>The Hobart daily said Asciano was reconsidering the sale, which would leave the Government with rail tracks but no locomotives or rolling stock to run on them.</p> <p>In another development, the Tasmanian Greens Party last night threatened to blockade the state’s ports and rail depots in a bid to stop the company removing locomotives.</p> <p>Two weeks ago, Greens MP and rail spokesman Tim Morris, claimed Pacific National had secretly dismantled 130 freight wagons.</p> <p>The Greens also exposed Florida-based short-haul train operator Patriot Rail Corporation as a possible bidder for Pacific National’s Tasmanian assets, a leak that infuriated the Government.</p> <p>The <em>Mercury</em> said the US rail company had offered $25m to the ailing Asciano, which has seen its share price in freefall the last few weeks.</p> <p>Asciano could not be contacted this morning to confirm or deny the paper’s claims.</p> <br />