Program

Technical Tours

The committee has assembled an exciting technical tour program to be held before, during and after CORE 2008. The tours will showcase the Western Australian rail industry and include a mix of urban and freight activities and cover the north west and south west areas of WA.

Sunday 7 September 2008

Rottnest Riches

Time:
8.30am – 5.00pm
Cost: $100
per person including lunch

Minimum & Maximum Number Apply

Enjoy a pre conference visit to WA’s offshore playground with a full day excursion to Rottnest Island. Explore the historic railway, the Gun Battery and fascinating natural features of the island to return in time for the welcome function.

  • Travel by ferry down the picturesque Swan River to Fremantle and on to Rottnest.
  • Relax on the Heritage Train for a historical trip to Oliver Hill and a guided tour of the Gun Battery.
  • View 100 year old shipwrecks and marine wildlife from the Underwater Explorer.
  • Explore Rottnest Island’s scenic features and study the intriguing Quokkas.

Tuesday 9 September 2008

Mix-It with Mandurah: Commuter momentum in the early morning

Time:
5.30am – 8.15am
Cost:
$30 per person including early breakfast

Minimum & Maximum Number Apply

Travel on the return journey to Mandurah on the fast and comfortable new electric railcar system. After a sunrise waterfront breakfast, enjoy an authentic commuter experience on the trip back to the city returning in time for the commencement of the opening session of the day.

  • Sit back and witness the silky smooth railway journey down the Kwinana Freeway.
  • Enjoy breakfast on the foreshore boardwalk in Mandurah.
  • Experience fast express travel to the city with the early morning commuters.

Wednesday 10 September & Friday 12 September 2008

Spotlight on Metro Rail; plus Rolling Stock Manufacturing & Maintenance Facilities

Time:
9.30am – 4.30pm
Cost:
$50 per person

Minimum & Maximum Number Apply

Explore behind the scenes of Perth Urban railway operations, and centralised freeway/rail monitoring system; and also inspect the Nowergup electric railcar depot, and tour major rolling stock construction and overhaul facilities.

  • Inspect the outsourced servicing facilities for electric railcars at Nowergup.
  • Witness the PTA modern train control system.
  • Observe the centralised freeway and rail monitoring system at Main Roads WA.
  • Inspect facilities providing major construction and overhaul of rolling stock.

Wednesday 10 September 2008

ALCOA: Integrated Rail at Work

Time:
9.00am – 5.00pm
Cost:
$50 per person

Minimum & Maximum Number Apply

In WA, ALCOA relies on rail transport to move raw materials, process consumables and finished products. Explore company operations from the mining of bauxite within the Darling Scarp south of Perth through to the final export of alumina, and visit the rail facilities that support the transportation task. The Tour includes:

  • Visit Alcoa’s Huntley Mine and Pinjarra refinery
  • Inspect WestNet Rail’s network in the South West
  • Inspect ARG’s trains and support infrastructure.

North West Options

Experience Rio Tinto

Pilbara Tour No 1

Depart Perth:
10.30am Wednesday 10 September 2008
Return Perth:
7.00pm Thursday 11 September 2008
Cost:
$700 per person including airfares, accommodation and some meals
Rio Tinto

The ‘Experience Rio Tinto’ Tour features the RIO TINTO coastal operations centred at Dampier. Fly from Perth to Karratha for an insightful tour of the Rio Tinto Iron Ore (RTIO) facilities at Dampier, details as follows:

  • Study the operational management of the railway.
  • Inspect the engineering features of the RTIO system including the maintenance and construction of rolling stock and track infrastructure.
  • Tour the port operations, and view indigenous rock art.
  • Enjoy the hospitality of RTIO, including dinner on Wednesday evening.

Technical Tour and Accommodation proudly supported by Rio Tinto

BHP Billiton Encounter

Pilbara Tour No 2

Depart Perth:
11.40am Wednesday 10 September 2008
Return Perth:
8.30pm Thursday 11 September 2008
Cost:
$1000 per person including airfares, accommodation and some meals
BHP Billiton

The ‘BHP Billiton Encounter’ Tour will spotlight the BHP mine site operations at Mt Newman. Fly direct from Perth to Newman to study inland mining and rail operations, details as follows.

  • Enjoy a bus tour of the town and environs on arrival at Newman.
  • Inspect the Mt Whaleback open cut mine and associated infrastructure.
  • Travel across country to inspect Mining Area C and the rail access through difficult terrain.
  • Enjoy the hospitality of BHP Billiton including dinner on Wednesday evening.

Technical Tour proudly supported by BHP Billiton