SA: Freight rail

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Viterra, Aurizon lobby federal government in bid to revive Eyre Peninsula rail line $

Bulk grain handler Viterra is steaming ahead with a $220m plan to revive rail freight on the Eyre Peninsula, four years after it was terminated due to the poor condition of the region's rail network.

Viterra and rail operator Aurizon are lobbying the federal government for funding to upgrade the rail line connecting Port Lincoln with Cummins, Wudinna and Kimba, which they say, would benefit local growers and exporters.

Viterra stopped using the Eyre Peninsula rail network to cart grain in May 2019 due to the deterioration of the rail infrastructure and increasing costs.

The company's chief operations officer James Murray said a reinstatement of the line would remove about 42,000 truck movements between up-country sites and Port Lincoln each year. ...

[RowBro]

This comes down to the question of whether the Government should have to pay for the infrastructure instead of the businesses. My opinion... of course it should be the Government. The Government pays for the infrastructure and then leases it out to the companies. Win win for everyone. The company doesn't have to take the borrow the initial capital cost and every freight operator (or passenger) will be able to utilise the track at the same rate.

Of course, I have not read up on the line in question. Ultimately it would have to be a good investment for the government with the possibility for growth.

[ozbob]

https://x.com/SarahJMcConnell/status/1741310277994549676?s=20

[ozbob]

https://www.police.sa.gov.au/sa-police-news-assets/traffic/barrier-highway-closed-after-crash

Barrier Highway closed after crash

31 Dec 2023 11:30am

Police and emergency services are responding to a serious crash at Bindarrah near the New South Wales border.

About 10.30am on Sunday 31 December, police responded to reports of a crash involving a train and truck.

The Barrier Highway is closed in both directions and will be for some time.

Motorists coming from NSW will not be able to travel past Broken Hill on the Barrier Highway into SA. Motorists travelling east will not be able to travel past Petersburg Road – Peterborough turnoff.

[ozbob]

This is terrible news. A truck and train collision just over the SA border. A double fatality at any time is horrible,...

Posted by Roy Butler MP on Saturday, 30 December 2023

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Two train workers dead after crash between train and truck at Bindarrah, near NSW and SA border

Police say two train workers have died in a crash between a freight train and a truck near South Australia's border with New South Wales.

SA Police said officers responded to reports of a crash about 10:30am on Sunday.

The truck driver wasn't injured. The Barrier Highway was closed in both directions.

The freight train was heading west at the time of the crash, while the truck carrying avocados was heading east towards Broken Hill.

Fire crews were still attempting to put out the blaze from the diesel locomotive at 3pm local time.

Several emergency crews from NSW and SA arrived from Broken Hill and cranes were expected to be brought to the area to clean up the damage.

[ozbob]

I think this the LX.

[ozbob]

The Advertiser --> Two train drivers dead in horror smash with truck on Barrier Highway, west of SA-NSW border $

Two South Australian train drivers have died in a horror crash with a road train near the New South Wales border.

About 10.30am on Sunday, emergency responded to reports of the collision on the Barrier Highway at Bindarrah, about 30km west of the border.

The impact caused the train to catch fire and several carriages to derail, blocking the entire highway.

The drivers – two Port Augusta men aged 48 and 57 – died, while the 75-year-old truck driver, from Queensland, was taken to Broken Hill Hospital with minor injuries.

The road remained closed in both directions between Peterborough and the NSW border on Sunday night, and cranes were being sent from Port Augusta to help with the clean-up.

"The road is expected to be closed for many more hours, motorists are asked to please take an alternate route if possible," SA Police said. ...

[ozbob]

ABC News --> Truck driver charged over crash that killed two SA train workers near NSW border

. A 75-year-old truck driver has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving

. Two train drivers died in the crash

. The Barrier Highway remains closed in both directions between Peterborough and the NSW border

... The 75-year-old truck driver from Queensland was taken to the Broken Hill Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

Major Crash investigators have now charged him with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

He did not apply for bail and will appear in the Port Pirie Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The train drivers killed in the crash have been identified as Mick Warren and Kevin Baker. ...

[ozbob]

ATSB: Preliminary report into Barrier Highway level crossing accident

https://www.atsb.gov.au/media/news-items/2024/preliminary-report-barrier-highway-level-crossing-accident

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has provided an update on its ongoing investigation into the fatal collision between a truck and train at a level crossing near Broken Hill on New Year's Eve.