Re: [QLD] FreightCorp Proposal

[Bruce Greening <bgreeni@attglobal.net>]

AS far as I know, when I was in Qld, DOO was an industrial issue, and I suspect
that is still the case.



John Kerr wrote:

> Further thoughts on QR and FreightCorp.
>
> If I own a coal mine, I can't get a rockbottom price from QR, so I talk to
> FreightCorp, their price may be better than QR, but even if its higher, I
> select them, then either QR is bluffed into going lower and I win, or I give
> the contract to FreightCorp which spends lots of money on capital. When the
> contract comes up for renewal, they are desperate to renew rather than have
> their capital idle, QR are equally keen to put coal into their idle wagons,
> rates go even lower.
>     This is purely hypothetical, but followers of coal industry will not how
> Japan has encouraged opening of more coal mines, get excess capacity in coal
> production, owners keen to sell coal, agree to reduced prices...
>      John Kerr
> Peter Cook wrote in message <38BE2715.57FD41CC@ozemail.com.au>...
> >Read QR Granite Creek & FreightCorp Thread by Jonathan Lau and then read
> >below
> >
> >This is quoted from FreightCorp's Press release
> >"
> >BACKGROUND:
> >FreightCorp is a national, above rail operator with services in NSW, SA
> >and VIC. It is a State Owned Corporation of the NSW Government,
> >corporatised in 1996. FreightCorp carried 85.5 million in 1998/99, of
> >which over 90% was export coal and grain, and earned revenues of $688
> >million.
> >
> >ABOUT THE OPERATION:
> >? 10 year contract to rail-haul 6 million tonne per annum from
> >Blackwater region coal mines in Central Queensland to Stanwell Power
> >Station for domestic power generation and to the Port of Gladstone fro
> >export.
> >
> >? FreightCorp to deliver the service using two train sets of 100 hundred
> >wagons each, under a distributed power arrangement (two locomotives at
> >the head and two at the rear of the train), allowing for easier turning,
> >better stopping and braking and reduced wear and tear on wagons.
> >
> >? Continuos, driver only operation (i.e. 24 hours a day, 365 days per
> >year, one person crewing, similar to FreightCorp/Flinders Power coal
> >haul operation in South Australia).
> >
> >? Service to be fully operational by late 2001.
> >
> >? FreightCorp to invest over $70 Million in narrow gauge locomotives and
> >wagons and fleet maintenance facilities in the Rockhampton region.
> >
> >? Train crew and administration staff to be hired locally and the
> >operation to be managed locally from a base near Rockhampton.
> >
> >? It is intended that rollingstock, equipment and materials be sourced
> >locally.
> >
> >? The FreightCorp operation is expected to create 15 to 20 long term
> >jobs in regional Queensland, as well as 120 to 130 short term jobs
> >during the 12 to 18 months rollingstock manufacturing and construction
> >phases.
> >
> >"
> >UnQuote
> >
> >Makes for interesting Times.
> >

--
Bruce L. Greening
bgreeni@ibm.net