Article: QR to begin fixing rail bridge next month

[ozbob]

From Business Day click here!

QR to begin fixing rail bridge next month

QR to begin fixing rail bridge next month
April 23, 2012 - 2:29PM

Queensland Rail (QR) will begin repairing a collapsed outback rail bridge next month which has hamstrung cattle farmers.

The Darr River rail bridge, between Winton and Longreach, collapsed in February while workers were trying to repair storm damage.

The cattle industry in western Queensland was expecting to move 80,000 to 90,000 head of cattle out of Winton by rail this season but the closure of the bridge has meant that they are being transported to meatworks and the capital by trucks, which is more costly and time consuming.

Liberal National Party (LNP) MP Vaughan Johnson said maintenance of QR's coal lines has been taking precedence over agriculture links.

He said QR has told him it won't be fixed until July but he would work to expedite the process.

QR defended how long it has taken for action.

A spokeswoman said the company was working as quickly and safely as possible and over the last three months had gathered geotechnical data, launched a tender process, and bought materials.

"Given the nature of the damage, extensive work has to be carried out," a spokeswoman said in a statement.

It would award a contract for the job next week with construction starting next month.

AAP

[colinw]

Gone are the days when QR could throw up an interim trestle or a "sty" based temporary crossing in days.

[HappyTrainGuy]

OH&S these days also play a part along with legal responabilities.

[ozbob]

Channel 9 News click here!

Work begins on outback rail bridge

Work begins on outback rail bridge

Repairs have begun on a collapsed outback rail bridge that is costing cattle farmers dearly in livestock transport expenses.A construction company hired by Queensland Rail began repair work last week on the Darr River rail bridge, between Winton and Longreach.

The bridge collapsed in February while workers were trying to repair storm damage.

Its closure has meant cattle farmers cannot shift livestock out of Winton by rail.

Between 80,000 and 90,000 head of cattle are transported each year to meatworks in Rockhampton, Brisbane or Dinmore, west of Brisbane.

Cattle are instead being shifted by trucks which is far more costly and time-consuming.

Winton livestock agent John Mawhinney says a train can carry 1000 head of cattle, seven times the capacity of a truck.

"Originally there was a planned three trains a week for this year and we haven't sent one," he told AAP.

Mr Mawhinney says farmers would be paying about $10,000 extra to transport the same amount of cattle to Dinmore by truck.

"They're not exactly excited about it," he said.

"It's very hard to get used to not being able to use it (the rail line)."

If the bridge reopens on schedule in July, it's hoped some cattle will be shifted by rail.

The cattle season is expected to run until September or October.

A Queensland Rail spokeswoman said contractors have removed four of the damaged bridge piers and have begun replacing the piers.

The line is expected to reopen on schedule, she said, adding that it is too early to calculate the cost of the repairs.

[ozbob]

From ABC Rural click here!

Rail services to Winton set to resume

Rail services to Winton set to resume

By Amy Phillips

Monday, 09/07/2012

It'll be another week before rail services are restored to Winton in the Queensland's central-west.

Train services to the region were suspended over safety concerns on Friday, although the line between Longreach and Emerald has been reopened with speed restrictions.

The Winton to Longreach line was closed in February when flooding damaged the Darr River bridge.

Winton livestock agent Tom Brodie says the closure has meant extra trucks on the road, and graziers are keen to get livestock trains running again.

"We understand it should be the 15th when it re-opens, so that'll be great news for Winton residents and graziers," he said.

"It's taken away another option for the local producers, especially if you've got small mobs of cattle and you want to get two, three or maybe four decks of cattle to the meatworks, rail is a great option, and it is a cheaper option than trucks for those smaller lots of cattle."