Aurizon

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Aurizon
Company typePublic (ASX: QRN)
IndustryRail transport
Founded2004
Headquarters
Brisbane
,
Australia
Number of locations
59
Area served
Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia
Key people
Lance Hockridge, Managing Director & CEO
ProductsCoal, bulk and containerised freight
ServicesLogistics, supply chain management, line haul and terminal operations
DivisionsBulk, Coal, Intermodal, Freight
SubsidiariesAustralian Railroad Group, CRT Group, Interail
Websiteqrnational.com.au

QR National is the largest rail freight company in Australia and was formerlyn owned by the Queensland Government. It was created as an independent company on 1 July 2010 when transport and logistics company QR Limited was split into two companies. Queensland Rail is responsible for the state’s passenger operations, regional track and support services, and remains owned by the Government. QR National owns the balance of the QR business – above-rail coal and freight services, the export coal network in Queensland and rollingstock manufacturing and track maintenance services. QR National is being privatised by the Government through an initial public offering, which is scheduled for the last quarter of 2010. QRNational was established in the 2004/2005 financial year when QR’s three freight business streams – coal, bulk and containerised services, were brought under one banner. It was formed with the charter to operate freight services in Queensland and around Australia, expanding though the winning of contracts and the acquisition of other companies.[1]

History

The company grew out of QR's Coal and Freight Services Group, along with QR subsidiary Interail. In late June 2005, rail operator QR National announced it had acquired the assets of the CRT Group,[2] which became a separate operating entity of QR National in July 1, 2005. This was followed in 2007 by the acquisition of the rollingstock, depots and customer contracts of the Australian Railroad Group in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia for $446 million AUD.[3]

In Queensland, the major traffic is coal, both for export and domestic power generation.[4] QRNational commenced the transport of export coal in the New South Wales Hunter Valley coalfields in 2005,[4] and by November 2007 the QR National network covered the entire mainland (except the Northern Territory) with the operation of their first Melbourne to Perth intermodal container service.[5] In July 2008 QRNational took over the Melbourne - Horsham container service for Wimmera Container Lines, after the withdrawal of Pacific National.[6]

On June 2, 2009 the Queensland Government announced the 'Renewing Queensland Plan', with Queensland Rail's commercial activities to be separated from the Government's core passenger service responsibilities, and formed into a new company called QRNational Limited.[7][8] The company was split into two from July 1, 2010.[9]

QR's coal, freight and infrastructure businesses will be sold as an integrated enterprise, known as QRNational Limited with headquarters in Brisbane. The new enterprise will control QR's coal business in Queensland and New South Wales, regional freight business in Queensland, bulk mineral and grain haulage in Western Australia and Queensland, and containerised freight between Cairns - Brisbane - Sydney - Melbourne - Adelaide - Perth. It will also have a long-term 99 year lease over the railway lines that form the Queensland coal haulage network: the Newlands line to Port of Abbot Point, the Moura line to the Port of Gladstone, the Goonyella system based around the Port of Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay, the Blackwater system based around the Port of Gladstone and the Newlands system based around the Port of Abbott Point, as well as network control responsibilities. The QR rollingstock workshops at Redbank, Rockhampton and Townsville are also included.[10]

The initial public offering of the freight and coal businesses will occur in October / November 2010,[9] with the sale expected to raise $7 billion. QR employees who will be part of the new entity will have their jobs guaranteed for two years, and receive $1000 worth of shares and the option to purchase an additional $4000 of shares at a discounted price.[11] The Queensland Government will initially retain a 25 to 40 per cent shareholding in the publicly floated company,[12] with Queensland residents given preference in purchasing the remaining shares.[10]

Public float

Main article: Public float of QR National

On June 2, 2009 the Queensland Government announced the 'Renewing Queensland Plan', with Queensland Rail's commercial activities to be separated from the Government's core passenger service responsibilities, and formed into a new company called QRNational Limited.[7][8] The new structure was announced by the State Government on December 2, 2009,[13] and will in place from July 1, 2010.[9]

Fleet

QRNational freight service in Victoria
Various narrow gauge locomotives ex-Queensland Rail
Narrow gauge diesel-electric locomotives in use in Queensland
  • 1502 Class
  • 1550 Class
  • 1600 Class
  • 1620 Class
  • 1700 Class (Freight Locomotive)
  • 1720 Class (Freight Locomotive)
  • 2100 Class
  • 2130 Class
  • 2141 Class
  • 2150 Class
  • 2170 Class
  • 2250 Class
  • 2300 Class
  • 2400 Class
  • 2450 Class
  • 2470 Class
  • 2600 Class
  • 2800 Class (Several have been converted to Standard Gauge)
  • 4000 Class (Mainly used in Blackwater and Newlands Coal Networks)
  • 4100 Class (Mainly used in Blackwater and Newlands Coal Networks)
Narrow gauge electric locomotive in use in Queensland
Main article: QR National electric locomotives
  • 3100 Class (Mainly used Goonyella Coal Network)
  • 3200 Class (Mainly used Goonyella Coal Network)
  • 3300 Class (Mainly used Blackwater Coal Network)
  • 3400 Class (Mainly used Blackwater Coal Network)
  • 3500 Class (Mainly used Blackwater Coal Network)
  • 3550 Class (refurbished 3500 and 3600 Class) (Mainly used Blackwater Coal Network)
  • 3600 Class (Mainly used Blackwater Coal Network)
  • 3700 Class (refurbished 3100 and 3200 Class) (Mainly used Goonyella Coal Network)
  • 3800 Class (Mainly used Goonyella Coal Network)
  • 3900 Class (originally used for freight haulage from Brisbane to Rockhampton; now converted for use in Blackwater Coal Network)

Blackwater Coal Network

The Blackwater coal network is situated in Central Queensland. This networks runs from the duel ports of Clinton Coal (Gladstone Port Authority operated) and Barney Point (BMA operated) to the mines in the southern section of the Bowen Basin coal area. This rail network transports coal from Gregory Mine, Oaky Creek Mine, German Creek Mine, Jellinbah Mine, Yarrabee Mine, Curragh Mine, Boorgoon Mine, Kinrola Mine, Rollestone Mine, Cook Colliery, Ensham Mine, Kestrel Mine and Minerva Mines. Both the Blackwater and Goonyella coal networks are linked at Gregory Mine. At different times during the year coal may be transported from one network to the other depending on coal demand, coal blending requirements or due to network disruptions.

In 1985 the network was electrified with a 25Kv overhead traction system. The network has been extended on several occasions as more mines come online. Two recent new mines have not been electrified. These are Rollestone and Minerva Mines. The cost involved for the electrification of these two mines was considered too high as they are a considerable distance to join onto the current electrified network.

There is both export and domestic cutomers served by this network. Domestic customers include Stanwell and Gladstone Powerhouses.

There are two rail operations in the network, QR National being the biggest operator and Pacific National being a new comer to the network.

Goonyella Coal Network

The Goonyella coal network is situated in Central Queensland. Running from the duel ports of Hay Point (BMA operated) and Dalrymple Bay (BBI operated) to the mines in the northern section of the Bowen Basin coal area. This rail network transports coal from Gregory Mine, Oaky Creek Mine, German Creek Mine, Foxleigh Mine, Norwich Park Mine, Lake Vermont Mine, Saraji Mine, Peak Down Mine, Millenium Mine, Poitrel Mine, Moorvale Mine, Burton Downs Mine, Carborough Downs Mine, Issac Plains Mine, Moranbah North Mine, Goonyella Mine, Riverside Mine, North Goonyella Mine and Blair Athol Mine. Both the Goonyella and Blackwater coal networks are linked at Gregory Mine. At different times during the year coal may be transported from one network to the other depending on coal demand, coal blending requirements or due to network disruptions.

In 1985 the network was electrified with a 25Kv overhead traction system. The network has been extended on several occasions as more mines come online. With each extension the electrified network has also been extended to accommodate the new mines.

There are two rail operations in the network, QR National being the biggest operator and Pacific National being a new comer to the network.

Moura Coal Network

The Moura coal network is situated it Central Queensland. This networks runs from the duel ports of Clinton Coal (Gladstone Port Authority operated) and Barney Point (BMA operated) to the mines in the southern section of the Bowen Basin coal area. This rail network transports coal from Moura Mine and Boundry Hill Mine.

Newlands Coal Network

The Newlands coal network is situated it Central Queensland. This networks runs from the Abbott Point to the mines in the northern section of the Bowen Basin coal area. This rail network transports coal from Newlands Mine, Sonoma Mine and Collinsville Mine.

See also

References

  1. ^ Peter Attenborough (2007). "QRNational". Australian Model Railway Magazine. 23 (262): page 30. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ Peter Attenborough (2006). "Colin Rees Transport (CRT)". Australian Model Railway Magazine. 22 (256): page 36. {{cite journal}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  3. ^ "Qld Rail 'goes national' with freight expansion". ABC News Online. February 14, 2006. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  4. ^ a b "QRNational - Coal - About coal". About QRNational. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  5. ^ "QR completes another phase in its national strategy with coast-to-coast rail freight services". QRNational - News articles. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  6. ^ "Rail to roll on". Wimmera Mail Times. yourguide.com.au. 2008-07-28. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  7. ^ a b MARISSA CALLIGEROS (June 2, 2009). "Queensland asset sales to reap $15 billion". www.brisbanetimes.com.au. Retrieved 2010-06-20. Cite error: The named reference "saleannounce" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b "Queensland assets sale". www.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2010-06-20. Cite error: The named reference "officialsale" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b c Glenda Korporaal (April 15, 2010). "Hockridge carrying the burden of Queensland Rail". The Australian. www.theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 2010-06-20. Cite error: The named reference "startsplit" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ a b Queensland Treasury (2010). "Queensland Rail: scoping study outcomes" (PDF). www.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  11. ^ Louise Brannell (December 9, 2009). "Queensland Rail in $7bn mega-float". Herald Sun. www.news.com.au. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  12. ^ "All Queenslanders invited to share in QR float". Ministerial Media Statements. www.cabinet.qld.gov.au. December 8, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
  13. ^ "QR chair and CEO welcome sale decision". Media Release. Queensland Rail. 8 December 2009.

External links

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