A Pacific National train will be adorned with artwork as it serves the Murray Basin freight network.
Renowned St Arnaud artist Kyle Torney painted seven artworks that will adorn a Pacific National locomotive hauling North West Victoria’s locally-grown produce.
The locomotive will travel via the Murray Basin freight network once the Murray Basin Rail Project works are completed.
Patrick O’Donnell, bulk and coal group executive, Pacific National, said the new passing loop built by Regional Rail Revival at Elmhurst, between Ararat and Maryborough, enables two 50-wagon freight trains to pass each other, lifting network capacity and giving freight operators more flexibility.
“The loop allows us to operate longer heavier trains on the rail network, which means we can move greater freight volumes for our customers,” he said.
“Moving greater volumes of freight on rail is a key pillar of Pacific National’s growth strategy and we’ve investing in products and services to encourage more customers to choose rail over road.”
The art will be seen on trains consisting of 50 wagons laden with up to 3,000 tonnes of grain – the equivalent of 70 B-doubles.
O’Donnell said the Murray Basin Rail Project will upgrade the state’s rail freight network to meet growing industry demand for services while also continuing to drive economic growth, create jobs and ensure the continuation of freight travel in the region.
“The state government’s improvements to the Murray Basin rail network will allow more trains to operate and ensure more freight destined for export is transported to the port, reducing road accidents and congestion while also driving down carbon emissions across the supply chain,” he said.
Three of Torney’s artworks commissioned as part of the Murray Basin Rail Project, depict table grapes, almonds and oranges grown in the Sunraysia region.
Four others depict scenes common in the Wimmera around St Arnaud – an ear of wheat, flowering canola in bloom, grain silos and a crop being harvested.
Torney said all seven panels of art represent either produce or the procedure used during harvest, from paddock to plate.
“They represent the paddock to plate sequence between farming and how that gets to the consumer,” he said.
“It is significant because it gives an insight into what these rural and local areas are all about, and what keep these towns alive.
“It sheds a light on how important the farmers and farms of rural northwestern Victoria are, and how important the rail freight network is.”
Torney said he enjoyed being able to give “a visual face” to the train.
“I enjoyed giving their locomotives an identity, so people can have an understanding of what is being carried in there and how important it actually is,” he said.
As a resident of northwestern Victoria, Torney grew up around farms, sourcing inspiration from his everyday life and the occupations of the people he surrounds himself with.
“Growing up in rural Victoria I gained an understanding of how the rail freight network works, as most people in rural areas would,” he says.
“So, I think the important part is bringing it to life for the people who aren’t that familiar with it.”
The painted locomotive made its debut during a community event at Maryborough’s historic station in July, which O’Donnell said was brought to life with Torney’s artwork.
“Torney’s design transforms our Pacific National G519 locomotive into a moving artwork, showcasing the world-class crops grown in the Sunraysia region and exported around the globe to meet the growing global appetite for Victorian produce,” he said.
“Torney’s impressive art adorning our loco highlights how rail is a critical link moving these crops from the paddock to the port.
“As Australia’s largest private rail freight operator, we are proud to deliver what matters for our customers including Victoria’s primary producers who need to move their produce for export.”
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