AWB has more than doubled its rail fleet, purchasing another 90 grain wagons at an estimated price of $12 million as it eyes expansion of its bulk freight operation into South Australia.
The company's fleet now comprises four complete grain trains, or 174 wagons, along with another train set on lease.
While AWB did not reveal the exact cost of the wagons, it is believed each wagon costs around $135,000, based on the $11.4 million cost of the order of the previous lot of 84 wagons.
AWB has put 42 of the new wagons in action on broad gauge lines in Victoria's Mallee, with the rest now operating across NSW after awaiting deployment in Newcastle.
The wagons, like the previous order, will be convertible and able to operate on both standard and broad gauge tracks.
They are set to operate in both Victoria and NSW and will focus primarily on servicing AWB’s GrainFlow bulk handling sites in Victoria and NSW, but are available to customers from other bulk handling sites if required.
The company is also conducting a trial push into South Australia, where it hopes train sets will service the company’s GrainFlow bulk handling sites.
AWB spokesman Ian Desborough confirmed a train, running on standard gauge, had left Dimboola, in Victoria’s Wimmera, and would head to the South Australian port of Outer Harbour.
Following that, the train set will be on trial hauling grain from GrainFlow sites at Crystal Brook and Mallala to Outer Harbour.
Based on standard test weights, which allow the wagons to carry 68 tonnes of wheat each, the new wagons mean AWB owns rail freight capacity to the tune of 11,8000 tonnes.
Although the purchase marks significant investment in rail freight, it is expected this will be the final purchase, at least in the short-term.
“I am certainly unaware of any plans at the moment to buy any more wagons,” Mr Desborough said.
AWB’s trains are hauled by specialist freight operator El Zorro Transport, with each train normally consisting of 40 wagons. Some spare wagons are required to maintain the train sets at full capacity.
AWB managing director Gordon Davis said it was important to be able to travel across as much of the rail network as possible, hence the convertible wagons.
“The gauge convertible wagons were a deliberate purchase to ensure they can be switched as needed between the standard gauge network in New South Wales and Victoria, and the extensive broad gauge network in the Victorian Mallee,” Mr Davis said.
“Some of the Victorian network has recently been upgraded, so with this latest set of wagons our trains will be seen in many more places."
Mr Davis said there had been good demand for the wagons this season, on the back of improved tonnages, especially in the south-east.
“The better season in Victoria last year has meant there is quite a haulage task to do.”
He said the new wagons were ordered with a view to remaining a competitive player in the bulk freight sector.
“The fleet of new wagons means we are well placed as a competitive freight provider to offer the best freight rates, wherever tonnage is available.”
He also said the service element was there, with the company able to offer “rapid and efficient” loading and outloading.
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