TasRail employs 260 highly skilled and dedicated direct employees throughout Tasmania, who carry out infrastructure maintenance, wagon and locomotive maintenance, train driving, shunting operations, freight loading, and train control functions.

As part of our initial take up of the operation and network, we are putting significant effort into improving the level of safety in our business. This improvement process involves a thorough overhaul of our safety systems and processes, targeted expenditure on identified key issues, and developing an improved safety culture within the organisation. These changes are being led from the very highest levels within TasRail.

Network Access

• TasRail provides full network access through a Train Control Centre (TCC) located at Techno Park, Kings Meadows.
• TCC is staffed 24 hours a day / 7 days a week by a dedicated and skilled number of Train Controllers.
• Through the use of Track Warrant System control TCC provides safe working access to the entire Tasmanian Rail Network.
• The TCC monitors the network and network user through a dedicated state-wide radio system.
• TCC provides all incident report, train inputting and assist with train rostering interruption .

Rollingstock Maintenance

Maintenance functions are completed by highly skilled and experienced staff. These functions range from minor repairs and servicing to major overhauls and repairs.

East Tamar is the location of the major maintenance facility for both locomotives and wagons. Major functions performed at East Tamar maintenance facility include:

• Locomotive provisioning
• Minor / major servicing
• Minor / major repairs
• Locomotive bogies overhaul / wheel turns / traction motor change outs / etc
• Wagon bogie overhaul / wheel turns & replacements / structural repairs / etc.
• East Tamar has a Quick Fix facility used for locomotive provisioning and minor servicing / repair.

A maintenance facility is also located at Burnie which mainly focuses on locomotive provisioning, the maintenance of the Melba Line ore wagons and the company’s Bulk Storage and Shiploading facilities.

Infrastructure Maintenance

TasRail's infrastructure division is responsible for delivering the maintenance and capital programs across the network for all assets. A core team of experienced track staff undertake:

• Regular track inspections – operational tracks are inspected every 96 hours
• Track maintenance activities – re-sleepering, re-railing, drainage works, bridge works, tunnel maintenance, defect removal
• Signal maintenance activities – there are ~500 level crossings including 122 active crossing that need to be maintained in full operational capacity at all times.
• Plant maintenance – TasRail has a fleet of hi rail vehicles and on track infrastructure equipment such as tamper machines that have to be maintained.

Maintenance gangs are based around the state in Hobart, Launceston, Conara, Devonport and Burnie.

The other critical aspect to the effective management of the TasRail assets is the Asset Management team. Providing support to the infrastructure group through such activities as planning and scheduling maintenance and capital works, project management and legal support.

The rail network covers an extensive area and is crossed by other infrastructure such as pipes and roads. The Asset Management group manage the licence application and approval process.

The infrastructure team have a wealth of experience and knowledge acquired over many years of maintaining this track through some very challenging terrain.