TasRail (1978–2004)

Tasrail was the brand name of the Australian National Railways Commission's operations on the mainline railways in Tasmania, formed when Australian National absorbed the former Tasmanian Government Railways in 1978.^[1] In November 1997 Australian National was broken up by the Federal Government, with TasRail sold to Australian Transport Network,^[1] a partnership of New Zealand based Tranz Rail and United States railroad Wisconsin Central. Tranz Rail sold a number of locomotives to TasRail during this time.

In February 2004 the railway was purchased by Pacific National,^[1] a partnership of Toll Holdings and Patrick Corporation following the purchase of Tranz Rail by Toll Holdings, and the sale of Wisconsin Central's overseas investments as a result of that railroads takeover by Canadian National. The company later acquired Emu Bay Railway in the north-west of Tasmania.

Operations

TasRail's locomotive fleet included:

Purchased from Tranz Rail:

• 12 DQ class locomotives;
• 3 QR class locomotives;
• 2 D class locomotives (similar to the New Zealand DXR class locomotives); and
• 1 New Zealand DC class locomotive.

The main cargo carried by TasRail was cement, which is carried from Railton to the port at Devonport. Other major commodities carried were coal, logs, containers and newsprint.

References

External links

• Rail Tasmania