Re: GSR's First Overland Arrives
David Bromage (dbromage@metz.une.edu.au)
4 Nov 1997 04:28:47 GMT
Kim Hazelgrove (azltech@opera.iinet.net.au) wrote:
>What price rail in Australia now? In WA, the relevant Minister is making
>noises about closing Westrail. The idea is to own and maintain the line,
>farm out the train control and maintenance, sell off the rolling stock,
>sell off the terminals and stations and run it like the highways. I've
>driven on these highways - geez, we're in trouble now!!!!! The trains
>are a "burden on the state". This is all because of a pay dispute
>occurring at an opportune time. New locos - SG and NG -, new and rebuilt
>wagons, lots of fixed consist unit trains. Guess what, Westrail is
>running at a profit (supposedly) - makes it all look good for a
>prospective buyer.
I know this was suggested a few years ago. A certain Victorian private
rail operator was rumoured to have been approached about running
Westrail's two passenger services.
Wasn't Westrail, or certainly parts of it, turning a small profit?
Cheers
David