Australian Society of Section Car Operators

The Australian Society of Section Car Operators (ASSCO), is an accredited railway operator that seeks access to railways for its members. It was originally registered as a non-profit organisation, under the Associations Incorporation Act in South Australia.

Group history
ASSCO was founded in November 1999, after a series of informal meetings, by a group of motor section car owners who were running in South Australia.

At the time, many cars were being run using the insurance and systems of a number of heritage railways, including Steamtown, and often under the "work for ride" banner. Changes to the regulatory regime in South Australia allowed for the accreditation of a body as a railway owner and operator, subject to meeting the requirements of Australian Standard AS4292 Railway safety management.

ASSCO was established to hold the accreditation, and in 2000, work commenced on the preparation of a safety management case for the group. The case considered obligations under the Rail Safety Act, Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act, AS 4801/4804, AS4360, AS4292 and ISO 9000 quality systems. Interim accreditation was achieved in June 2000 Work to prepare the safety case was done by one of the founding members, with operational experience coming from a former railwayman, whilst a number of the processes used by the North American Railcar Operators Association were considered and, were necessary, modified to meet Australian Regulatory requirements.

By April 2001, the organisation had in place an access agreement, which meant accreditation could be granted. ASSCO was the first not-for-profit ("Heritage") railway to be granted accreditation as a railway operator without owning or managing its own railway line in South Australia. It was also the first heritage operator to start up under the regulatory regime since it was implemented. The committee at the time, and subsequently, has avoided taking (long term) responsibility for any infrastructure, because of the work and cost associated with its maintenance. That said, the group has held a lease over the railway between Kevin and Penong on the Far West of Eyre Peninsula.

Originally, operations focused on the railways of South Australia. Although realised early on that other states would be essential to assist the group to grow, work for access in other states did not commence for a few years. It last operated in South Australia in 2004.

First Run
After gaining accreditation, the group made a number of approaches to heritage and commercial railway operators for access.

The first railway to agree to host an ASSCO meet was NRG Flinders Operating Services Pty Ltd, operator of the Leigh Creek line, between Port Augusta and Copley. This was the longest run for section cars at the time, some 250 km. The event was run over the Easter Long Weekend, 2001. This line carried one coal train each way each day, meaning the trip crossed trains both days.

Other Runs
ASSCO has also operated on railways owned by One Rail Australia, Pichi Richi Railway, the Australian Electric Transport Museum and Lions Club of YPRail. It has also leased the Kevin Penong line for two weekends.

In line with its current focus on Queensland railways, ASSCO operates over the 42" gauge trackage of Queensland Railways. It has operated as far north as Cairns, including the Normanton-Croydon Railway. Its first run on the QR network was over the now closed line between Theebine and Kingaroy in April 2003

The group has accessed a limited number of heritage railways, including the Mary Valley Rattler. Mary Valley hosted ASSCO for a commissioning and training day on 23 March 2003.

The largest group of participants ever attended its Monto Loop Run (19 cars and 32 people) on a trip between Biggenden and Calliope in Queensland in April 2010.

Insurance problems
Like many heritage railways, ASSCO was adversely effected of the insurance crisis in the early part of the decade (2002–2003). Whilst a few thought the organisation was dead, work to regain insurance continued. This included support of other programs, even when these did not benefit the organisation directly.

ASSCO was eventually invited into a group insurance scheme run through the Council of Historic Railways and Tramways of South Australia Inc, enabling it to restart operations. This move also benefited other heritage railways in South Australia, as its contribution reduced the overall premium payable by other heritage railways. More recently, the group moved into other pooled premium schemes, and the cost of insurance on the open market has fallen considerably.

Sharing the benefit
The group realised the benefit of synergistic working when it was founded. That is, there must be a benefit for the organisation which hosts a run, or for a commercial railway owner, the access should be cost neutral, if not at a small profit.

Indeed, ASSCO members have provided a number of organisations with non-pecuniary benefits as a result of access.

As a charitable organisation. ASSCO donates a portion of member event fees to other non-profit organisations. Such as the Queensland Air Ambulance Service and the Don River Railway.

ASSCO does not carry members of the public. However, members are themselves tourists, and provide a considerable boost to local economies where they operate.

Current operations
ASSCO currently operate over the Queensland Rail network. ASSCO signed a 5 years access agreement with QR in May 2024.

On average, ASSCO holds 4 operations(events) a year.

ASSCO is attempting to seek access in NSW

The organisation has around 50 members of which 30 are active. Membership is by yearly subscription. several railway industry competencies are required to participate in ASSCO operations. It is not required to own your own section car.

Safety Issues
Like all railway operators in Australia, ASSCO has been subjected to regulatory intervention by the Office Of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR). Mainly relating to improving policies and procedures.

Not having operated in South Australia since 2004. ASSCO surrendered its accreditation in South Australia, in 2010.

ASSCO voluntarily suspended its operation mid 2019. ASSCO did so to bring its Rail Safety Management System (RSMS) up to comply with current legislation and standards. ASSCO Operations re-started in February 2020.

Following an audit by the ONRSR, an Improvement Notice was issued on the 14th February 2023. This Notice was cancelled on the 8th March 2023. Around the same time, Queensland Rail suspended access for all section cars to its network. The suspension stemming from concerns with level crossing safety. The suspension was lifted a short time later after consultation between ASSCO and QR management. With improved safety procedures regarding level crossings, ASSCO resumed operation in April 2023.

ASSCO constantly monitors and updates, where necessary, safety policies and procedures in line with Rail Safety National Law (RSNL). As such, offers an environment for its members to enjoy Section Car travel in safety.

Affiliations
ASSCO was an International Affiliate of North American Railcar Operators Association (NARCOA).