<span class="" id="parent-fieldname-description"> Rail freight services on Tasmaniaâs Bell Bay line resumed on March 19, following the signing of a commercial agreement between TasRail and Forestry Tasmania. </span> <p>Forestry Tasmania, a government department, overseas the use of state forests and forest reserves.</p><p>TasRail, the state’s government-owned rail operator, called the new contract “a watershed for TasRail,” saying it will see logs return to rail after an absence of nearly a decade.</p><p>Up to three new train services will operate each week to rail logs between the north and south of Tasmania, TasRail chief Damien White confirmed.</p><p>“That is the equivalent of effectively removing 300 B-double truck movements from the Midlands and East Tamar Highways every month,” he said.</p><p>Bob Gordon, managing director of Forestry Tasmania, was also positive on the new deal.</p><p>“We have demand for increased supply of residue wood from the South to Artec at Bell Bay, and rail provides an efficient way to move significant volumes,” he said.</p><p>It took significant effort for TasRail to establish the new service, White said, particularly ahead of the arrival of a new locomotive and wagon fleet.</p><p>“The return of log traffic to the rail network has presented a number of challenges for our current wagon size and loading techniques,” White said.</p><p>“But we’ve worked with Forestry Tasmania to understand and overcome the issues and to see this service start-up today is a significant milestone for the resurgence of rail in Tasmania.”</p><p>Newly established loading facilities at the Brighton Transport Hub will support the new service. The facilities will be operated by local forestry logistics company SFM Forest Products.</p><p>“The logs will be railed directly into the site of Artec’s Bell Bay operations, ahead of processing and shipment to export markets,” TasRail said.</p><p>The service agreed to by TasRail and Forestry Tasmania will initially be trialled for a period of six months. The first service departed Brighton on March 19 and arrived at Bell Bay the following morning.</p>
