Re: ATN in [Victoria]

[mauried@tpg.com.au (Maurie Daly)]

In article <OuC%4.33$3S.453837@news0.optus.net.au> dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage) writes:
>From: dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage)
>Subject: Re: ATN in [Victoria]
>Date: Thu, 08 Jun 2000 01:17:34 GMT

>Maurie Daly (mauried@tpg.com.au) wrote:
>> In article <aIm%4.107$km1.685661@news0.optus.net.au> dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage) writes:
>> >From: dbromage@fang.omni.com.au (David Bromage)
>> >Subject: Re: ATN in [Victoria]
>> >Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2000 07:19:34 GMT

>> >Maurie Daly (mauried@tpg.com.au) wrote:
>> >> A freight based railway needs to haul big volumes of freight to survive,

>> >No it doesn't. Niche markets can be quite profitable.

>> Can you give us some examples?

>LVR, Patricks. I presume Austrac.

I wasnt aware that LVR,Patricks and Austrac were required to put up $164 
million to enter their niche market.
Just how long do you think these companies would last if they had to put up 
that sort of money.


>> The only private rail companies in Australia who are currently making any 
>> profit at all are ASR and ATN in Tasmania,both of whom bought a vertically 
>> integrated railway with NO competition.

>See above.

>> Havnt noticed recently large fleets of grain trucks arriving in Melb from the 
>> Western district.

>Go to Balmoral.

And just how would you propose that this grain be carried by rail?
Dont beleive that balmoral still has a railway.


>> >> FA bought Vline freight ,and should be entitled to operate under the same 
>> >> conditions that Vline freight operated under.

>> >Rubbish.

>> Why rubbish.
>> Just exactly what did FA buy ,if they didnt buy Vline freight?
>> Vline freight had no competition when it operated.

>Okay then. FA should refer all contracts to the Minister for approval,
>contracts may be terminated by the Minister without reason are not
>negotiable, line closures and siding disconnections are the decision of
>the DoI and are not negotiable, closed lines cannot be reopened, stored
>locos must remain in storage and locomotives cannot be upgraded.

>Cheers
>David

What has the above rave got to do with anything.

Answer the question , just what did FA buy if they didnt buy Vline Freight.

MD