International Railroad Discussion > Hunter Valley ( Australia ) coal trains

Have heard that PACIFIC NATIONAL have ' laid off '  train crews on the HUNTER VALLEY coal route. Is this because one of the other companies have picked up the ' PN ' contracts ? or is it to do with a decline in the business. If services have been reduced any info as to whether they are from the SINGLETON area load outs or have the services from the long distance end BOGGABRI been cut back ?.
                                                                                                                 Would appreciate any help as I am planning a visit to the region in a few months.
                                                                                                                                             David Green

There has been some general drop-off in business.  However there are still considerable numbers of trains running.  It would still be rare to wait more than 10 minutes to see a train in the Maitland area, other then during maintenance shut-downs - about every 3 months,  one this week for 48 hours actually. These usually happen mid week, not weekends!