WEST Australian bulk handler CBH Group has taken delivery of its last two locomotives built overseas.
The two engines are part of a new fleet of 22 locomotives built in the US and 574 Chinese-made grain wagons.All bar the latest two imports have been currently working on this season’s harvest.
CBH logistics manager Andrew Mencshelyi said the new locomotives and wagons were more efficient and had allowed CBH to cut rail freight rates by 7 per cent this season.
“We have been conservative in setting freight rates this year given it's our first year in rail and we need to ensure all transition costs are covered but a reduction in rail rates by an average of seven percent is certainly still a significant saving for growers,” Mr Mencshelyi said.
He said the new trains were moving up to 25,000 tonnes of grain to port each day.
“We want to build that to 25,000 to 30,000 tonnes and reach our target of 70 per cent plus of grain being moved by rail from 2013 onwards,” he said.
