The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Minister for Regional Australia Catherine King announced this morning $1m in funding under the Tasmanian Jobs and Growth Plan, for Elphinstone Engineering to construct 40 “Elphinstone TasRailer” units for TasRail.
The Elphinstone TasRailer is a specially designed and engineered folding frame that sits on top of a conventional rail wagon allowing it to carry timber products in one direction, then fold away, allowing the train to transport shipping containers on the return journey, increasing efficiency, capacity and productivity.
Elphinstone are an engineering firm located at Triabunna, whom over many decades have become synonymous with log truck trailer engineering. TasRail has been in discussions with Elphinstone for over a year to develop the design and construction of the Elphinstone TasRailer units.
CEO Damien White said the project was a significant opportunity for TasRail to collaborate with one of Tasmania’s most innovative engineering firms.
“In designing the TasRailer, Elphinstone Engineering has solved the vexing efficiency problem that logs are generally only one-way loading.
“By increasing capacity and maximising productivity, both logs and container freight volumes can significantly increase.”
The project will create and retain a number of jobs in Triabunna, an area hard hit by downturns in the local timber industry.
“TasRail has been part of the Tasmanian community in one form or another for many decades. To be able to help generate jobs and secure futures in Triabunna through this project, as well as grow capacity and sustainability along the supply chain is a brilliant result for the region,” said Mr White.
About TasRail
TasRail is a State-owned Company, established on 1 December 2009 by an Act of the Tasmanian Parliament. The principal objectives of the business are set out in the Rail Company Act 2009 and require the Company to operate a rail business in Tasmania, effectively and efficiently and to operate its activities in accordance with sound commercial practice.
With a workforce of around 260 men and women, Tasmania’s current freight task is approximately 2.5 million tonnes per year – generating annual revenue in the order of $35 million. Since it was established, TasRail has spent $97.7 million purchasing goods and services from more than 900 Tasmanian Companies.
TasRail conservatively estimates that the freight it transports by rail each year effectively removes the equivalent of 100,000 B-Double truck movements from the State’s road network. Even after taking into account the total of TasRail’s reported annual carbon emissions (fuel and energy), this equates to a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of some 45,800 tonnes.
www.tasrail.com.au
Polly McGee Corporate Relations Manager
