Ann: Trading Update, page-7

The Blue Mountains, NSW line has reopened as far west as Springwood, with the section to Mt Victoria expected to shortly reopen, perhaps as early as 0001 AEDT on Wednesday 23 March (in three and a half hours).

However Mt Victoria to Lithgow is expected to remain closed for a few more days. This means Sydney to Perth (and many other) freight trains and tonight's eastbound Perth to Sydney 'Indian Pacific' (now near Ivanhoe NSW) will continue all operating via Goulburn and Cootamundra West, then up to Parkes through Stockinbingal. Many freights on this route normally use this route as it avoids the mountains, but the crosscountry line Coota to Parkes has been extremely busy during the last week, which is continuing tonight. It's a change to have every Sydney - Perth - Sydney train via this non-mountains line.

At least the LAU profit-making railable containers, seen in increasing numbers, are getting to destination.

While there'll be some fuel tax relief in the forthcoming Federal Budget, this won't (and shouldn't!) totally ameliorate how diesel and petrol have risen in cost. Indirectly, especially over longer distances, this is making rail freight even cheaper than it had been when compared to road freight.

Let's hope in LAU's contracts there's the ability for it to recover all (or most) of any fuel price rise.