P&O Trans Australia commenced running their own rail container service between Melbourne and Adelaide in October 2009, running as train numbers MA2/AM2. The locomotives and rollingstock are hired from CFCLA, the wagons being CQWY well wagons and CQMY container flats.
In Melbourne the train departs from North Dynon. There is also a trip train working between the DP World siding at Swanson Dock West and North Dynon, usually a push-pull via the Bunbury Street tunnel due to the lack of a direct link between the two sidings.
Previously POTA had their containers conveyed on QR National's MA6/AM6 service that ran 5 to 6 days per week. As a result QR National has dropped this service back to 3 days per week, with additional loading being transferred to SCT Altona where it is attached to SCT's MP9/PM8 services.
The first run of the service was to be VL355 with B76, but did not depart as such, the B class developing a fault:
VL355 with VL356 became the usual locomotives for the next few months:
By November 2009 CFCLA owned G classes G512 and G515 started to appear with the VLs, and later replaced them:
Eventually G512 and G515 became the usual motive power, B76 and HL203 being occasional visitors.
POTA withdrew their AM2/MA2 services from July 2011, with the service to Adelaide being replaced by a Melbourne-Horsham service.
Sources
« OpenSearch provider added Styling changes » |
Viewed 1613 times.