AUSTRALIA’s National Freight Corp has started the final stage of acceptance testing for its Freight Control System, which will provide operations control and management information throughout the inter-state business. Formerly known as the Freight Management Initiative, the first stage of FCS came on stream at the end of last year to manage intermodal operations and provide a web-based customer interface. Stage 2 includes terminal management, automatic vehicle identification and updated control software.
On June 11 Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer joined celebrations at Parkes, NSW, to mark the completion of an A$2m curve which will eliminate a reversal for NRC trains to and from Sydney. Connecting the east-west main line with the route through Cootamundra, the curve will carry steel, container and piggyback trains and the Indian Pacific passenger service.
The same day saw the start of driver-only operation trials on NRC services around Port Kembla. DOO tests are also to start on the branch to Fisherman Islands docks at Brisbane, and on the interstate main lines in Victoria, where satellite phones are being used until signalling upgrades have been completed. DOO has been introduced between Perth and Kalgoorlie, and from Broken Hill to Port Augusta.
