Since the mid-1990s, when open access of long-standing government railway networks was initiated, private railway companies have proliferated. These companies are now providing all manner of services from running their own trains, locomotive and wagon leasing, crew hire and shunting. Former government locomotives, surplus to their previous owners requirements, have been acquired by these relative newcomers to the railway scene and older motive power is now enjoying a second lease on life.

Within the pages of this volume, a number of private railway companies are reviewed, with a brief company profile being followed by a number of illustrations depicting the types of locomotives that are in the care of that operator. Matching the number of new operators is almost an equal number of eye-catching liveries and many of these are depicted within this volume.

Private Operators (Part 1) covers Austrac, Cargill, CRT, Lachlan Valley Railway, QRX, Freight Australia, Interail, Southern Portland Cement and West Coast Railway.

This 210mm x 150mm, 32 page with card cover full-colour book was published in September 2004.