Yes I am a Systems Engineer - control and monitoring systems applied in rail mostly.
from that pdf we have exact figures rather than my terrible memory:
Current tonnages railed: 5.8mtpa (not my 7 to 9 mtpa that I posted)
The picture is more complex as the capacity decreases as we go west especially west of Cloncurry (thank goodness). But from Cloncurry and immediately east its at currently 4.7 mtpa
The 2009 Master Plan identified three growth scenarios: 7.8 mtpa, 12.5 mtpa and 20 mtpa.
Using the 8 mtpa base case scenario the following would be required to meet this task:
Approximately two new crossing loops for 1000m trains and four new holding r0ads will be required. This increase affords improvements to not only capacity, but improved cycle times and operational flexibility. Crossing Loop: $5.6 million per loop Holding Road: $5.2 million per road Operational improvements In order to transport 8 mtpa along the Mount Isa Line, Queensland Rail will be working with rail operators to facilitate the operation of longer trains to approximately 1000 metres where possible. The increase in tonnages able to be hauled on current train paths will provide the potential for an increase in system capacity from the same number of available train paths."
Of course access to the POTL becomes a bottle neck as throughput increases.
The point of the above is that as CDU holders we should at some stage have an agreement with QR with guaranteed haulage agreements. These will likely take the form of "take or pay".
Hauling longer trains in my view requires a larger investment than installing motorised points machines.
Once those contracts are in place we are in business and near ready to haul by rail.
What was CDU planning on hauling per annum ? Cant remember
CDU Price at posting:
$1.84 Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
