QR National
Encyclopedia
QR National Limited is the largest rail freight company in Australia
and was formerly owned by the Queensland
Government. It was created as an independent company on 1 July 2010 when transport and logistics company QR Limited was split into two companies. Queensland Rail
is responsible for the state’s passenger operations, regional track and support services, and remains owned by the Government. QR National owns the balance of the QR business – above-rail coal and freight services, the export coal network in Queensland and rollingstock manufacturing and track maintenance services. QR National was privatised by the Government through an initial public offering and the company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange
(ASX) on 22 November 2010.
The QR National brand was established in the 2004/2005 financial year when QR’s three freight business streams – coal, bulk and containerised services, were brought under one banner. It was formed with the charter to operate freight services in Queensland and around Australia, expanding though the winning of contracts and the acquisition
of other companies.
. In late June 2005, rail operator QR National announced it had acquired the assets of the CRT Group
, which became a separate operating entity of QR National on 1 July 2005. This was followed in 2007 by the acquisition of the rollingstock
, depots and customer contracts of the Australian Railroad Group
in New South Wales
, South Australia
and Western Australia
for $446 million AUD.
In Queensland, the major traffic is coal, both for export and domestic power generation. QR National commenced the transport of export coal in the New South Wales
Hunter Valley
coalfields in 2005, and by November 2007 the QR National network covered the entire mainland (except the Northern Territory
) with the operation of their first Melbourne
to Perth
intermodal
container service. In July 2008 QR National took over the Melbourne - Horsham
container service for Wimmera Container Lines, after the withdrawal of Pacific National.
On 2 June 2009 the Queensland Government announced the 'Renewing Queensland Plan', with Queensland Rail
's commercial activities to be separated from the Government's core passenger service responsibilities, and formed into a new company called QR National Limited. The company was split into two from 1 July 2010.
QR's coal, freight and infrastructure businesses will be sold as an integrated enterprise, known as QR National Limited with headquarters in Brisbane
. The new enterprise will control QR's coal business in Queensland and New South Wales, regional freight business in Queensland, bulk mineral and grain haulage in Western Australia and Queensland, and containerised freight between Cairns - Brisbane - Sydney - Melbourne - Adelaide - Perth. It will also have a long-term 99 year lease over the railway lines that form the Queensland coal haulage network: the Newlands line to Port of Abbot Point, the Moura line to the Port of Gladstone
, the Goonyella system based around the Port of Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay, and the Blackwater system based around the Port of Gladstone
, as well as network control responsibilities. The QR rollingstock workshops at Redbank, Rockhampton and Townsville are also included.
The initial public offering
of the freight and coal businesses will occur in October / November 2010, with the sale expected to raise $7 billion. QR employees who will be part of the new entity will have their jobs guaranteed for two years, and receive $1000 worth of shares and the option to purchase an additional $4000 of shares at a discounted price. The Queensland Government will initially retain a 25 to 40 per cent shareholding in the publicly floated company, with Queensland residents given preference in purchasing the remaining shares.
In 1985 the network was electrified with a 25Kv overhead traction system. The network has been extended on several occasions as more mines come online. Two recent new mines have not been electrified. These are Rollestone and Minerva Mines. The cost involved for the electrification of these two mines was considered too high as they are a considerable distance to join onto the current electrified network.
There is both export and domestic cutomers served by this network. Domestic customers include Stanwell and Gladstone Powerhouses.
There are two rail operations in the network, QR National being the biggest operator and Pacific National being a newcomer to the network.
In 1985 the network was electrified with a 25kV overhead traction system. The network has been extended on several occasions as more mines come online. With each extension the electrified network has also been extended to accommodate the new mines.
This line serves Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pty Ltd, Bhp Billiton Mitsubitshi Alliance (BMA) Jellinbah Resources Pty Ltd, Peabody Energy Australia, Rio Tinto Coal Australia Pty Ltd, Vale Australia Pty Ltd, Bowen Central Coal, Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd, McCarthur Coal.
There are two rail operations in the network, QR National being the biggest operator and Pacific National being a newcomer to the network.
Xstrata has bought a several number of locomotives and assures a part of it's coal freight independentaly.
There is actually a project for the "Norther Missing Line" GAP (Goonyella to Abbot Point) railway who's objective is to link the Goonyella line to the Abbot Point Coal Terminal. With growing orders form Asian countries (mostly China & India who have huge energetic needs), the GAP is a vital project as Abbot Point has the advantage of being 2-3 days closer to Asia than other ports, reducing tonnage price. There has been no press release regarding the electrification of this line.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and was formerly owned by the Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
Government. It was created as an independent company on 1 July 2010 when transport and logistics company QR Limited was split into two companies. Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail, also known as QR, is a government-owned railway operator in the state of Queensland. Under the control of the Queensland Government, Queensland Rail operates the inner-city and long-distance passenger services, as well as some freight operations and gives railway access to other...
is responsible for the state’s passenger operations, regional track and support services, and remains owned by the Government. QR National owns the balance of the QR business – above-rail coal and freight services, the export coal network in Queensland and rollingstock manufacturing and track maintenance services. QR National was privatised by the Government through an initial public offering and the company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange
Australian Securities Exchange
The Australian Securities Exchange was created by the merger of the Australian Stock Exchange and the Sydney Futures Exchange in July 2006. It is the primary stock exchange group in Australia....
(ASX) on 22 November 2010.
The QR National brand was established in the 2004/2005 financial year when QR’s three freight business streams – coal, bulk and containerised services, were brought under one banner. It was formed with the charter to operate freight services in Queensland and around Australia, expanding though the winning of contracts and the acquisition
Mergers and acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions refers to the aspect of corporate strategy, corporate finance and management dealing with the buying, selling, dividing and combining of different companies and similar entities that can help an enterprise grow rapidly in its sector or location of origin, or a new field or...
of other companies.
History
The company grew out of QR's Coal and Freight Services Group, along with QR subsidiary InterailInterail
Interail is an Australian rail freight operator based in Casino, New South Wales.-Creation:Interail was launched on May 31, 2002, as the interstate running arm of Queensland Rail, entering railway operations in New South Wales with the acquisition of Northern Rivers Railroad...
. In late June 2005, rail operator QR National announced it had acquired the assets of the CRT Group
CRT Group
CRT Group is an intermodal transport company in Australia. Begun as Colin Rees Transport , a taxi truck company in suburban Sydney in the 1950s, it became known as the CRT Group in 1981, and by the time of its acquisition by QR Limited was in the top 10 logistics companies in Australia with a...
, which became a separate operating entity of QR National on 1 July 2005. This was followed in 2007 by the acquisition of the rollingstock
Railroad car
A railroad car or railway vehicle , also known as a bogie in Indian English, is a vehicle on a rail transport system that is used for the carrying of cargo or passengers. Cars can be coupled together into a train and hauled by one or more locomotives...
, depots and customer contracts of the Australian Railroad Group
Australian Railroad Group
Australian Railroad Group was one of Australia's largest private rail operators, operating across almost 10,000 kilometres of track and began operating in Western Australia on 17 December 2000 following its purchase of the Westrail freight business. It was acquired by QR National...
in New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
and Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
for $446 million AUD.
In Queensland, the major traffic is coal, both for export and domestic power generation. QR National commenced the transport of export coal in the New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
Hunter Valley
Hunter Valley Coal Chain
The Hunter Valley Coal Chain is the chain of coal delivery in New South Wales, Australia from coal mines in the Hunter Valley to the Port of Newcastle and to domestic coal-fired power stations in the Hunter Valley...
coalfields in 2005, and by November 2007 the QR National network covered the entire mainland (except the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
) with the operation of their first Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
to Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
intermodal
Intermodal freight transport
Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation , without any handling of the freight itself when changing modes. The method reduces cargo handling, and so improves security, reduces damages and...
container service. In July 2008 QR National took over the Melbourne - Horsham
Horsham, Victoria
Horsham is the largest city by population and regional centre of the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia and is approximately north-west of Melbourne via the Western Highway. At the 2006 census, Horsham had a population of 14,125. Horsham is in the federal Division of Mallee...
container service for Wimmera Container Lines, after the withdrawal of Pacific National.
On 2 June 2009 the Queensland Government announced the 'Renewing Queensland Plan', with Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail, also known as QR, is a government-owned railway operator in the state of Queensland. Under the control of the Queensland Government, Queensland Rail operates the inner-city and long-distance passenger services, as well as some freight operations and gives railway access to other...
's commercial activities to be separated from the Government's core passenger service responsibilities, and formed into a new company called QR National Limited. The company was split into two from 1 July 2010.
QR's coal, freight and infrastructure businesses will be sold as an integrated enterprise, known as QR National Limited with headquarters in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
. The new enterprise will control QR's coal business in Queensland and New South Wales, regional freight business in Queensland, bulk mineral and grain haulage in Western Australia and Queensland, and containerised freight between Cairns - Brisbane - Sydney - Melbourne - Adelaide - Perth. It will also have a long-term 99 year lease over the railway lines that form the Queensland coal haulage network: the Newlands line to Port of Abbot Point, the Moura line to the Port of Gladstone
Port of Gladstone
The Port of Gladstone is Queensland's largest multi-commodity port and the fifth largest multi-commodity port in Australia. It is the world's fourth largest coal exporting terminal. It forms and integral part of the City of Gladstone in Central Queensland and is located about 525 km north of...
, the Goonyella system based around the Port of Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay, and the Blackwater system based around the Port of Gladstone
Port of Gladstone
The Port of Gladstone is Queensland's largest multi-commodity port and the fifth largest multi-commodity port in Australia. It is the world's fourth largest coal exporting terminal. It forms and integral part of the City of Gladstone in Central Queensland and is located about 525 km north of...
, as well as network control responsibilities. The QR rollingstock workshops at Redbank, Rockhampton and Townsville are also included.
The initial public offering
Initial public offering
An initial public offering or stock market launch, is the first sale of stock by a private company to the public. It can be used by either small or large companies to raise expansion capital and become publicly traded enterprises...
of the freight and coal businesses will occur in October / November 2010, with the sale expected to raise $7 billion. QR employees who will be part of the new entity will have their jobs guaranteed for two years, and receive $1000 worth of shares and the option to purchase an additional $4000 of shares at a discounted price. The Queensland Government will initially retain a 25 to 40 per cent shareholding in the publicly floated company, with Queensland residents given preference in purchasing the remaining shares.
Public float
On 2 June 2009 the Queensland Government announced the 'Renewing Queensland Plan', with Queensland Rail's commercial activities to be separated from the Government's core passenger service responsibilities, and formed into a new company called QR National Limited. The new structure was announced by the State Government on 2 December 2009, and will in place from 1 July 2010.Locomotive fleet
| Class | Type | Gauge | Number | Business unit | Use and area of operation | Notes |
| G V/Line G class The V/Line G class are a mainline diesel electric locomotives built by Clyde Engineering from 1984, the last of 33 locomotives entering service in December 1989... |
Diesel-electric | Standard | 2 | QR National | Interstate intermodal freight | Ex-CRT Group CRT Group CRT Group is an intermodal transport company in Australia. Begun as Colin Rees Transport , a taxi truck company in suburban Sydney in the 1950s, it became known as the CRT Group in 1981, and by the time of its acquisition by QR Limited was in the top 10 logistics companies in Australia with a... |
| X Victorian Railways X class (diesel) The Victorian Railways X class mainline diesel electric locomotives were built by Clyde Engineering from 1966, with a further two orders being placed in 1970 and 1975... |
Diesel-electric | Standard | 2 | QR National | Interstate intermodal freight | Ex-CRT Group CRT Group CRT Group is an intermodal transport company in Australia. Begun as Colin Rees Transport , a taxi truck company in suburban Sydney in the 1950s, it became known as the CRT Group in 1981, and by the time of its acquisition by QR Limited was in the top 10 logistics companies in Australia with a... |
| LDP | Diesel-electric | Standard | 9 | QR National | Interstate intermodal freight | Leased from Downer Rail. LDP001-003 in Downer EDI Rail livery. LDP004-009 in QR National livery. |
| 5000 | Diesel-electric | Standard | 12 | QR National | Hunter Valley coal | |
| 5020 | Diesel-electric | Standard | 12 | QR National | Hunter Valley coal | |
| 6000 | Diesel-electric | Standard | 12 | QR National | Interstate intermodal freight | |
| 421 New South Wales 421 class locomotive The 421 class was built in between 1965 and 1966 by the Clyde Engineering in Granville, New South Wales. These mainline locomotives were a follow on from the 42 class units, which had one cab only. The locomotives retained the classic "bulldog nose" as with the other Clyde built locomotives, i.e.... |
Diesel-electric | Standard | 5 | Interail | Intermodal freight, Hunter Valley coal | 2 stored |
| 422 New South Wales 422 class locomotive The 422 class diesel electric locomotive was introduced into the New South Wales rail system in 1969. Clyde Engineering of Granville, New South Wales obtained the contract to build 20 of these units.... |
Diesel-electric | Standard | 2 | Interail | Intermodal freight, Hunter Valley coal | |
| 423 | Diesel-electric | Standard | 6 | Interail | Intermodal freight, Hunter Valley coal, grain | 2 leased to El Zorro El Zorro (railway) El Zorro is a railway operator based in Victoria, Australia. It is a private company that was founded in 1999, based in Spotswood, and named by director Ray Evans who has a taste for things Spanish. . The company has three shareholders: director Ray Evans, business manager Geoff Tighe, and Lisa... |
| 73 | Diesel-hydraulic | Standard | 3 | QR National | Shunting, Sydney/Melbourne | Ex-CRT Group CRT Group CRT Group is an intermodal transport company in Australia. Begun as Colin Rees Transport , a taxi truck company in suburban Sydney in the 1950s, it became known as the CRT Group in 1981, and by the time of its acquisition by QR Limited was in the top 10 logistics companies in Australia with a... |
| CS | Diesel-hydraulic | Standard | 2 | QR National | Shunting, Albury | CargoSprinter CargoSprinter The CargoSprinter is a multiple unit freight car;it could also be thought of as a container truck that runs on rails.Built by the German company Windhoff, it is in effect a self-propelled flatcar for containers... , ex-CRT Group CRT Group CRT Group is an intermodal transport company in Australia. Begun as Colin Rees Transport , a taxi truck company in suburban Sydney in the 1950s, it became known as the CRT Group in 1981, and by the time of its acquisition by QR Limited was in the top 10 logistics companies in Australia with a... |
| CLF | Diesel-electric | Standard | 5 | Australian Railroad Group | Interstate intermodal freight | Ex-Australian Railroad Group Australian Railroad Group Australian Railroad Group was one of Australia's largest private rail operators, operating across almost 10,000 kilometres of track and began operating in Western Australia on 17 December 2000 following its purchase of the Westrail freight business. It was acquired by QR National... |
| CLP | Diesel-electric | Standard | 5 | Australian Railroad Group | Interstate intermodal freight | Ex-Australian Railroad Group Australian Railroad Group Australian Railroad Group was one of Australia's largest private rail operators, operating across almost 10,000 kilometres of track and began operating in Western Australia on 17 December 2000 following its purchase of the Westrail freight business. It was acquired by QR National... |
| AC | Diesel-electric | Standard | Australian Railroad Group | |||
| ACA | Diesel-electric | Standard | Australian Railroad Group | |||
| ACB | Diesel-electric | Standard | Australian Railroad Group | |||
| 1720 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | Shunting, general freight | ||
| 2100 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | |||
| 2150 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | 4 sold to TasRail TasRail (2009) Tasrail is the Government of Tasmania-owned corporation that has operated the mainline railways in Tasmania since 2009.... |
||
| 2170 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | 3 stored | ||
| 2250 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | 1 stored | ||
| 2300 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | |||
| 2400 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | |||
| 2470 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | |||
| 2600 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | |||
| 2800 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | One converted to standard gauge | ||
| 4000 | Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | Blackwater and Newlands Coal Network | ||
| 4100 EDI/EMD 4100 Class The EDI/EMD 4100 Class was designed to continue to meet increasing demand for coal haulage. AS more locomotives of the 4000 Class type were ordered and an initial order for 15 units was placed during 2006, with a further order for another 15 units placed during 2007.Due to several design changes,... |
Diesel-electric | Narrow | QR National | Blackwater and Newlands Coal Network | ||
| 3100 | Electric | Narrow | QR National | Goonyella Coal Network | ||
| 3200 | Electric | Narrow | QR National | Goonyella Coal Network | ||
| 3300 | Electric | Narrow | QR National | Blackwater Coal Network | ||
| 3400 | Electric | Narrow | QR National | Blackwater Coal Network | ||
| 3550 | Electric | Narrow | QR National | Blackwater Coal Network | Refurbished 3500 and 3600 class | |
| 3700 | Electric | Narrow | QR National | Goonyella Coal Network | Refurbished 3100 and 3200 class | |
| 3800 | Electric | Narrow | QR National | Goonyella Coal Network | ||
| 3900 | Electric | Narrow | QR National | Blackwater Coal Network | Originally used for passenger and general freight haulage between Brisbane and Rockhampton |
Blackwater
The Blackwater coal network is situated in Central Queensland. This networks runs from the dual ports of Clinton Coal (Gladstone Port Authority operated) and Barney Point (BMA operated) to the mines in the southern section of the Bowen Basin coal area. This rail network transports coal from Gregory Mine, Oaky Creek Mine, German Creek Mine, Jellinbah Mine, Yarrabee Mine, Curragh Mine, Boorgoon Mine, Kinrola Mine, Rollestone Mine, Cook Colliery, Ensham Mine, Kestrel Mine and Minerva Mines. Both the Blackwater and Goonyella coal networks are linked at Gregory Mine. At different times during the year coal may be transported from one network to the other depending on coal demand, coal blending requirements or due to network disruptions.In 1985 the network was electrified with a 25Kv overhead traction system. The network has been extended on several occasions as more mines come online. Two recent new mines have not been electrified. These are Rollestone and Minerva Mines. The cost involved for the electrification of these two mines was considered too high as they are a considerable distance to join onto the current electrified network.
There is both export and domestic cutomers served by this network. Domestic customers include Stanwell and Gladstone Powerhouses.
There are two rail operations in the network, QR National being the biggest operator and Pacific National being a newcomer to the network.
Goonyella
The Goonyella coal network is situated in Central Queensland. Running from the dual ports of Hay Point (BMA operated) and Dalrymple Bay (BBI operated) to the mines in the northern section of the Bowen Basin coal area. This rail network transports coal from Gregory Mine, Oaky Creek Mine, German Creek Mine, Foxleigh Mine, Norwich Park Mine, Lake Vermont Mine, Saraji Mine, Peak Downs Mine, Millennium Mine, Poitrel Mine, Moorvale Mine, Burton Downs Mine, Carborough Downs Mine, Issac Plains Mine, Moranbah North Mine, Goonyella Mine, Hail Creek, Clermont Mine, Riverside Mine, North Goonyella Mine, South Walker Creek Mine, and Blair Athol Mine. Both the Goonyella and Blackwater coal networks are linked at Gregory Mine. At different times during the year coal may be transported from one network to the other depending on coal demand, coal blending requirements or due to network disruptions.In 1985 the network was electrified with a 25kV overhead traction system. The network has been extended on several occasions as more mines come online. With each extension the electrified network has also been extended to accommodate the new mines.
This line serves Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pty Ltd, Bhp Billiton Mitsubitshi Alliance (BMA) Jellinbah Resources Pty Ltd, Peabody Energy Australia, Rio Tinto Coal Australia Pty Ltd, Vale Australia Pty Ltd, Bowen Central Coal, Xstrata Coal Queensland Pty Ltd, McCarthur Coal.
There are two rail operations in the network, QR National being the biggest operator and Pacific National being a newcomer to the network.
Xstrata has bought a several number of locomotives and assures a part of it's coal freight independentaly.
There is actually a project for the "Norther Missing Line" GAP (Goonyella to Abbot Point) railway who's objective is to link the Goonyella line to the Abbot Point Coal Terminal. With growing orders form Asian countries (mostly China & India who have huge energetic needs), the GAP is a vital project as Abbot Point has the advantage of being 2-3 days closer to Asia than other ports, reducing tonnage price. There has been no press release regarding the electrification of this line.