Fed: AWB supplies more rail infrastructure for grain industry

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2009
Fed: AWB supplies more rail infrastructure for grain industry

CANBERRA, April 6 AAP - Wheat marketer AWB has added 84 grain wagons to eastern Australia's
rail network to improve the flow of grain to ports.

The wagons will increase the number of dedicated trains now operating under the specialist
freight operator El Zorro to four.

Each wagon carries up to 68 tonnes of wheat on main lines and with a carriage of up
to 40 wagons, each train can move 2700 tonnes of grain.

The wagons will help drive a new level of supply chain efficiencies to the east coast
and improve the company's ability to move grain to port, AWB's managing director Gordon
Davis said.

"We will link our fast and efficient country storage sites to well-planned and managed
rail services to meet the demands of our export and domestic customers."

Planning for the purchase had been made last year in light of the "looming shortage"

of grain rail capacity, Mr Davis said.

The wagons are standard gauge, but can be converted to broad gauge to be used in Victoria
if needed.

El Zorro will operate the trains from AWB and other company facilities where tonnage
is available and efficient loading and turnaround can be made possible.

AAP srj/ht/

KEYWORD: GRAIN AWB

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