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IRIS Tasmania  >  Infrastructure  >  Transport  >  Rail services

Rail services

The Tasmanian rail network is a freight system and there are no passenger services other than for some small tourist railways. The rail network connects all major ports, cities and some major resource areas and comprises approximately 867 kilometres of permanent way and structures.

The Tasmanian Government owns the majority of the rail network, excluding the privately owned Melba line from the West Coast to the port at Burnie. Pacific National Tasmania currently undertakes all rail freight operations across the State on a commercial basis.

Freight

Rail services go to three of the four major ports, where there are intermodal facilities for loading and unloading. The rail system is dedicated to bulk freight such as cement, finished paper and paper pulp, coal, zinc, mineral concentrates and containers.

Due to the importance of continued rail services, the State and Federal Governments have agreed to a 'rail rescue package'. Under the terms of the package Pacific National will continue to operate the rail network and act as the track manager on behalf of the State Government.

For rail freighting charges contact the rail freight company Pacific National.

Further information can be obtained from the Rail Management Branch on (03) 6233 9687.

Tourist railways

The West Coast Wilderness Railway is a 34 kilometre line between Queenstown and Strahan on the West Coast. The Don River Railway in Devonport operates a 4 kilometre line from Don to Coles Beach and owns 4 steam and 3 diesel locomotives. Their line is connected to the State rail network, and this allows the company to run occasional tourist and school group excursions to other parts of the State.

Other small tourist railways include the: