The nine trainee drivers are part of a QRNational recruitment drive scheduled to deliver 105 additional loco drivers to the Goonyella and Newlands rail systems in 2009.

QRNational Coal North General Manager Warren Phillips said the Pring-based trainees were selected through a national recruitment effort and came from as far afield as Victoria, Brisbane and Mount Isa, as well as Bowen and Townsville.

“These new recruits will complete a 28-week training program incorporating theory modules at Bowen TAFE in addition to one-on-one driver training both on simulators and in the field.

“They’ll be receiving training in everything from safety awareness, train handling, signaling, scheduling, loco equipment knowledge, route familiarisation and shunting,” he said.

When the trainees graduate in August this year they will be based at Pring and work in the Newlands system, which currently delivers 15 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to the Abbot Point Coal terminal, with plans to increase this over time in line with port upgrades.

Mr Phillips said the Pring recruits were an integral component in QRNational’s plans to assist its mining customers by increasing coal haulage capabilities across the state to 260 mtpa by 2011.

“QRNational has already committed to $2.05 billion worth of acquisitions and upgrades for Queensland’s coal rail systems within the next three years, so it is imperative that we also have the skilled manpower necessary to operate our expanding fleet,” he said.

“This new generation of drivers is an investment, not only in the future of QRNational, but in Queensland’s coal industry as a whole and I wish them all the best as they embark on their new careers with QR.”

For more information:   
                               Cathy Kelly - 0417 614 139
                               QRNational Coal North

                               Gabrielle Corser -  0419 757 062
                               QR Corporate Affairs