Aurizon

Aurizon, formerly QR National, is a freight rail transport company in Australia, and the largest of its kind in the nation.[2] Formerly a Queensland Government-owned company, it was privatised and floated on the ASX in November 2010. The company was originally established in 2004–05 when the coal, bulk, and container transport divisions from Queensland Rail were brought under one banner, as QR National.

Aurizon Holdings Limited
FormerlyQR National
TypePublicly traded company
ASX: AZJ
IndustryRail transport
Founded2004 (2004) in Brisbane, Australia
Headquarters
Brisbane
,
Australia
Area served
Key people
  • Tim Poole (Chairman)
  • Andrew Harding (CEO)
ProductsCoal, bulk, and containerised freight
ServicesLogistics, supply chain management, line haul, and terminal operations
RevenueA$3.179 billion (June 2018)
Number of employees
4,883 (2020)[1]
DivisionsNetwork, Coal, Bulk, Intermodal
Websiteaurizon.com.au

On an average day, Aurizon will move in excess of 700,000 t (770,000 tons) of coal, iron ore and other minerals, as well as agricultural products and general freight across the nation.[3] The company transports more than 250 million tonnes of Australian commodities each year, with operations in five Australian states. Aurizon also manages the 2,670 km (1,660 mi) Central Queensland coal network that links mines to coal ports at Bowen, Gladstone and Mackay, and is the largest haulier of iron ore outside the Pilbara.[3]

History
QR National logo (2004–2010)

The QR National brand was established in the 2004/05 financial year when Queensland Rail's coal, bulk and containerised business units were brought under one banner.

It also incorporated subsidiaries Interail, which had been acquired in March 2002 and operated services in New South Wales,[4][5] and logistics company CRT Group, for which QR National already provided line haulage and purchased outright in June 2005.[6][7]

In June 2006 QR National acquired Australian Railroad Group (ARG) which had operations in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia.[8][9][10] ARG remained a separate subsidiary operation until it was rebranded as QR National in July 2011.

In Queensland, the major traffic is coal, both for export and domestic power generation.[11] In 2005 QR National commenced running export coal services in the New South Wales Hunter Valley[12] 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.[13] In August 2008 QR National took over the operation of Melbourne - Horsham container service for Wimmera Container Line, after Pacific National withdrew its service.[14]

Following a vote by its shareholders, QR National was rebranded as Aurizon in December 2012.[15][16]

Public float
Main article: Public float of QR National
QR National logo (2010–2012)

In 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, formed into a new company named QR National Limited and privatised.[17][18][19] The company was split into two from July 2010 with QR National taking the coal business in Queensland and New South Wales, regional freight business in Queensland, bulk mineral and grain haulage in Queensland and Western Australia, and containerised freight between Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.[20]

QR National received a 99-year lease over the 2,300 km Queensland coal network:[21]

It is responsible for the maintenance of these lines.

The rollingstock workshops at Redbank, Rockhampton and Townsville were also included.[22]

QR National was floated in November 2010.[23] From July 2011 all subsidiary operations were rebranded as QR National and then rebranded again to Aurizon in 2012.[24][25]

Current fleet
Class Image Type Top speed
(km/h)		 Built Number Business unit Use and area of operation Notes
Standard gauge fleet
5000 Diesel-electric 80 2005–2007 12 Aurizon Hunter Valley coal
5020 Diesel-electric 80 2010–2014 25 Aurizon Hunter Valley coal Heavy haul variant of 5000 class
6000 Diesel-electric 115 2009 12 Aurizon Hunter Valley coal Present.
6020 Diesel-electric 115 2012 9 Aurizon Hunter Valley coal
6040 Diesel-electric 115 2017-2018 5 Aurizon Hunter valley coal
CF Diesel-electric 115 2019 2 Aurizon Hunter Valley coal Present.
421 Diesel-electric 115 1965–1966 5 Aurizon Intermodal freight, grain Ex Interail, 4 stored
422 Diesel-electric 115 1969–1970 12 Aurizon
Aurizon Bulk Freight East
Aurizon Bulk Freight West		 Intermodal freight. 11 ex Australian Railroad Group, 2 ex Interail, some numbered as the 22 class or DC class, 3 stored. 1 other unit exported to South Africa in January 2015 exported to Dĩ An Vietnamese in Aug/Sept 2020.
CLF Diesel-electric 115 1970 5 Aurizon Interstate intermodal Ex Australian Railroad Group, 1 stored
ALZ Diesel-electric 115 1976 1 Aurizon Interstate intermodal Ex Australian Railroad Group, stored.
CLP Diesel-electric 115 1970 5 Aurizon Interstate intermodal Ex Australian Railroad Group, 2 stored
AC Diesel-electric 115 2009 8 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group
ACB Diesel-electric 115 2011 6 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Hunter Valley coal Ex Australian Railroad Group, 3 have been relocated to Hunter Valley.
ACC Diesel-electric 115 2013 3 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Present
L Diesel-electric 115 1967 1 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group, 1 stored
LQ Diesel-electric 115 1967 2 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia 1 Ex Australian Railroad Group, 1 ex Interail, stored at Avon Yard
LZ Diesel-electric 115 1967 6 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group
Q Diesel-electric 115 1997 19 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group
3200 Diesel-electric 100 1995–1998 3 Aurizon New South Wales Regauged from 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) gauge
Queensland 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) fleet
1720 Diesel-electric 80 1966–1970 28 Aurizon General freight and shunting 16 other units sold to South Africa in 2012, 8 stored
2000 Railmotor 80 1960–1970 2 Aurizon Network Queensland network track inspections Nos. 2004 and 2032
2100 Diesel-electric 80 1970–1984 53 Aurizon General freight and minerals 5 other units transferred to Western Australia as the DD class (see below), 4 other units sold to TasRail in 2011, 3 to South Africa in 2012, 2 stored for parts
2300 Diesel-electric 100 1997–2002 53 Aurizon General freight and minerals, 7 other units in Western Australia as DFZ class (see below) Rebuilt from 1550 class
2400 Diesel-electric 100 1977–1980 38 Aurizon General freight and minerals 18 converted to 2300 class 1 stored
Progress Rail 2700 Class Diesel-electric 110 2019-Ongoing 2 testing, 3 being built. Aurizon General freight and minerals These locomotives are dubbed the Super Clyde. The program has so far been very successful. The exact final number of 2700 Class locomotives is unknown currently, but may be as high as 2780. These are rebuilt from older locomotives.
2800 Diesel-electric 100 1995–1998 46 Aurizon General freight and minerals 3 other units on standard gauge (see above), 1 other unit in Western Australia as PA class (see below)
4000 Diesel-electric 100 2000–2005 49 Aurizon Coal Blackwater and Moura coal networks 4020 scrapped
4100 Diesel-electric 100 2007–2012 56 Aurizon Coal Blackwater, Moura and Newlands coal networks Originally 75 units, 19 units transferred to Western Australia as ACN class
3100/3200 Electric 80 1986–1989 15 Aurizon Coal Bowen Basin 63 rebuilt as 3700 class (see below), 4 other units sold to South Africa in 2012–2013, Remaining units scrapped during May and June 2016
3300/3400 Electric 80 1994–1995 13 Aurizon Coal Blackwater coal network Stored
3500/3600 Electric 80 1986–1988 68 Aurizon Coal Goonyella coal network 15 stored
3551 Electric 80 2003–2004 14 Aurizon Coal Blackwater coal network Rebuilt from 3900 class
3700 Electric 80 2005–2007 63 Aurizon Coal Goonyella and Blackwater coal networks Rebuilt from 3100/3200 class
3800 Electric 80 2008–2010 45 Aurizon Coal Goonyella and Blackwater coal networks
3900 Electric 100 1988-90 11 Aurizon Coal Blackwater coal network Stored
Western Australia 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) fleet
A Diesel-electric 100 1960 1 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group, 1 other unit exported to South Africa in January 2015.
AB Diesel-electric 100 1970 2 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group. 2 other units exported to South Africa in January 2015.
ACN Diesel-electric 100 2011–2012 19 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Originally part of 4100 class, transferred to Western Australia and retained their original numbers
D Diesel-electric 100 1971 1 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group, 1 other unit exported to South Africa in January 2015.
DA Diesel-electric 100 1971 3 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group
DAZ Diesel-electric 100 1971 1 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group, 5 other units exported to South Africa in January 2015.
DB Diesel-electric 100 1982 5 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group
DBZ Diesel-electric 100 1982 5 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group
DD Diesel-electric 100 1970–1984 5 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Converted from 2100 class
DFZ Diesel-electric 100 1971 7 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Converted from 2300 class
P Diesel-electric 100 1989–1991 13 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group
PA Diesel-electric 100 1996 1 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Converted from 2800 class
S Diesel-electric 90 1996 11 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group

Former fleet
Class Image Type Gauge Top speed
(km/h)		 Built Number Business unit Use and area of operation Notes
500 Diesel-electric Standard 80 1964 1 Aurizon Shunting, South Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group, donated to SteamRanger in October 2010
830 Diesel-electric 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 115 1963 1 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group. Sold to Junee Railway Workshop in 2012.
1600 Diesel-electric 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 80 1971 2 Aurizon Bulk Freight West Western Australia Ex Australian Railroad Group. Exported to South Africa in January 2015.
2600 Diesel-electric 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) 100 1983 13 Aurizon Queensland coal and minerals Entire class sold to South Africa in 2012
LDP Diesel-electric 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) 115 2009 9 Aurizon Interstate intermodal Leased from Downer EDI Rail, returned following withdrawal from intermodal market 2018
2250 Diesel-electric 100 2004–2007 25 Aurizon General freight and minerals Rebuilt from 2100 class and 1550 class, Entire class sold to South Africa 2014 - 2015. Buyback of 5 by GWA for South Australia in 2019.

Queensland coal networks

Blackwater
Main article: Blackwater railway system

The Blackwater coal network is situated in Central Queensland.[26] 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 coal mine, Oaky Creek Mine, German Creek coal mine, Jellinbah coal mine, Lake Vermont Mine, Yarrabee Mine, Curragh coal mine, Boorgoon Mine, Kinrola Mine, Rolleston coal mine, Cook Colliery, Ensham Mine, Kestrel coal 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 25 kV overhead traction system. The network has been extended on several occasions as more mines come online. Two recent new mines were not initially electrified. These are Rolleston 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. However the electrification of the rail to Rolleston Mine was completed in December 2014. The rail to Minerva Mine is not electrified.

There are both export and domestic customers served by this network. Domestic customers include Stanwell and Gladstone power stations. There are two rail operations in the network, Aurizon being the biggest operator and Pacific National being a newcomer to the network. [27]

Goonyella
Main article: Goonyella railway line

The Goonyella coal network is situated in Central Queensland.[28] 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 coal mine, German Creek coal mine, Foxleigh coal mine, Norwich Park coal mine, Lake Vermont Mine, Saraji coal mine, Peak Downs Mine, Millennium Mine, Poitrel Mine, Moorvale Mine, Burton Downs Mine, Carborough Downs Mine, Issac Plains Mine, Moranbah North coal mine, Goonyella Riverside Mine, Hail Creek coal mine, Clermont Mine, Riverside Mine, North Goonyella coal mine, South Walker Creek coal mine, and Blair Athol coal 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 25 kV 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, BHP Mitsubitshi Alliance (BMA) Jellinbah Resources, Peabody Energy Australia, Rio Tinto Coal Australia, Vale Australia, Bowen Central Coal, Xstrata Coal Queensland, McCarthur Coal.

There are two rail operations in the network, Aurizon being the biggest operator and Pacific National being a newcomer to the network. Xstrata has bought a number of locomotives and assures a part of its coal freight independently.

There is actually a project for the "Norther Missing Line" GAP (Goonyella to Abbot Point) railway whose objective is to link the Goonyella line to the Abbot Point Coal Terminal. With growing orders from 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.

Moura

The Moura coal network is situated in Central Queensland.[29] 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 Moura Mine and Boundary Hill Mine.

Newlands

The Newlands coal network is situated in Central Queensland.[30] This networks runs from the Abbott Point to the mines in the northern section of the Bowen Basin coal area. This rail network transports coal from Newlands coal mine, Sonoma Mine and Collinsville coal mine.

Price Regulation

As Aurizon's infrastructure is a monopoly, it is subject to regulation by government organisations such as the Queensland Competition Authority. Aurizon has disagreed with the QCA concerning the price that it should be allowed to charge its clients, for example when the QCA used a lower weighted average cost of capital that does not account for the risk that clean energy poses to fossil fuel.[31]

See also

References
  1. "AZJ.AX". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  2. "Aurizon". Aurizon. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  3. Staff (June 2014). "Moura West Upgrade" (PDF). Wiggins Island Rail Project. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  4. Staff (12 March 2002). "QR moves into NSW with Northern Rivers Railroad buy". Rail Express. Sydney, Australia: Informa Australia. Archived from the original on 6 February 2015.
  5. Staff (March 2002). "QR National Push". WorldCargo News. Surrey, England: WCN Publishing. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
    "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2012.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link), provides first ~600 characters (first paragraph and part of second)
  6. Hopkins, Phillip (25 June 2005). "Queensland Rail sorts logistics for acquisition". The Age. Archived from the original on 24 March 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  7. Attenborough, Peter (February 2006). "Colin Rees Transport (CRT)". Today's Railway Scene. Australian Model Railway Magazine. Vol. 22 no. 256. p. 36. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  8. Staff (14 February 2006). "Qld Rail 'goes national' with freight expansion". ABC News Online. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008.
  9. Staff (14 February 2006). "Qld Rail buys into freight market". The Age. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  10. "QR Annual Report 2006 - 2007" (PDF). Annual Reports. Queensland Rail. September 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 May 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  11. Coal Archived 24 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine QR National
  12. Hunter Valley Coal System Archived 24 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine QR National October 2011
  13. "QR completes another phase in its national strategy with coast-to-coast rail freight services". QR National - News articles. 12 October 2007. Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2008.
  14. "Rail to roll on". Wimmera Mail Times. yourguide.com.au. 28 July 2008. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  15. QR National - Results of AGM Archived 24 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine Aurizon 21 November 2012
  16. QR National Limited - Change of name to Aurizon Holdings Limited and adoption of replacement Constitution Aurizon 3 December 2012
  17. Premier announces QR privatisation plan Archived 15 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine Railway Gazette International 4 June 2009
  18. Marissa Calligeros (2 June 2009). "Queensland asset sales to reap $15 billion". www.brisbanetimes.com.au. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  19. "Queensland assets sale". www.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  20. A Milestone Event in the History of QR Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine QR National 1 July 2010
  21. Network systems Archived 24 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine QR National
  22. Queensland Treasury (2010). "Queensland Rail: scoping study outcomes" (PDF). www.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2010.
  23. QR National makes sharemarket debut Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine QR National 22 November 2010
  24. QR National Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Australian Railroad Group 1 July 2011
  25. Important Announcement - CRT Group Archived 25 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine CRT Group 1 July 2011
  26. Blackwater Coal System Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine QR National October 2011
  27. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-02.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. Goonyella Coal System Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine QR National October 2011
  29. Moura Coal System Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine QR National October 2011
  30. Newlands Coal System Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine QR National October 2011
  31. https://www.afr.com/business/mining/coal/aurizon-furious-with-regulators-draft-decision-on-queensland-coal-rail-access-20171218-h06lgt
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