TasRail (1978–2004)
| TasRail | |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | 1978–2004 |
| Predecessor | Tasmanian Government Railways |
| Successor | Pacific National |
| Length | 31,120miles (31,266 km) at end of 2008 |
Tasrail was the brand name of the Australian National Railways Commission's operations on the mainline railways in Tasmania, formed when Australian National absorbed the former Tasmanian Government Railways in 1978.[1] In November 1997 Australian National was broken up by the Federal Government, with TasRail sold to Australian Transport Network,[1] a partnership of New Zealand based Tranz Rail and United States railroad Wisconsin Central. Tranz Rail sold a number of locomotives to TasRail during this time.
In February 2004 the railway was purchased by Pacific National,[1] a partnership of Toll Holdings and Patrick Corporation following the purchase of Tranz Rail by Toll Holdings, and the sale of Wisconsin Central's overseas investments as a result of that railroads takeover by Canadian National. The company later acquired Emu Bay Railway in the north-west of Tasmania.
Operations
TasRail's locomotive fleet included:
Inherited from the Tasmanian Government Railways:
- X Class English Electric Locomotives;
- Y Class English Electric Locomotives;
- Z Class English Electric Locomotives;
- ZA Class English Electric Locomotives;
Purchased by AN from Queensland Rail during the 1980s:
- ZB Class English Electric Locomotives;
- ZC Class English Electric Locomotives;
After the purchase of the railway by ATN, the following locomotives were acquired from Tranz Rail:
- 12 DQ class locomotives;
- 3 QR class locomotives;
- 2 D class locomotives (Rebuilt WAGR D class locomotives with cabs similar to the New Zealand DXR class); and
- 1 New Zealand DC class locomotive.
The main cargo carried by TasRail was cement, which is carried from Railton to the port at Devonport. Other major commodities carried were coal, logs, containers and newsprint.
References
- ^ a b c =Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. "Background – Organisation of Australia's Railways". www.infrastructure.gov.au. Retrieved 22 June 2010.
External links
| Preceded by Tasmanian Government Railways |
Rail transport in Tasmania 1978–2004 |
Succeeded by Pacific National |
