Marcus McAuliffe, the former head of Asciano subsidiary Pacific National’s coal business in Queensland, has been appointed general manager of QRNational Coal, two months after taking the reins of QRRetail Freight – one of its other four newly created freight divisions.

Bulk and intermodal divisions were also spun off in QR’s restructure of its freight business earlier this year.

In March, the Australian reported McAuliffe would not be able to work for any part of the State Government-owned company’s coal business.

A QR spokesman, however, told ILN sister publication SCLN that McAuliffe’s contract with Asciano simply prevented him from passing on confidential information to its competitors.

“Marcus can and will fulfil his role at QRNational Coal to the fullest extent,” he said.

“His contract at Asciano required that he not pass on confidential information and he will honour that contract."

The spokesman also said McAuliffe’s successor in the Retail Freight division would be appointed soon.

McAuliffe succeeds company stalwart Michael Scanlan who spent 35 years with the company’s passenger and freight businesses.

Asciano confirmed its interest in Queensland’s $18 billion coal haulage market amid a flurry of media speculation in September last year.

It revealed Pacific National was involved in confidential commercial discussions with “mining interests” operating in Queensland.

The company has since been tight-lipped on its progress in Queensland.

QR chief executive Lance Hockridge said McAuliffe’s appointment was part of the company’s restructure to best serve its customers.

“Earlier this year we announced that QR’s freight business would be transformed to best suit the needs of our customers and Marcus is a welcome addition to the senior management team at QR to take the coal business forward,” he said.

“His appointment is part of the continuing rejuvenation of our senior leadership team which is aimed at delivering a mix of long-term rail experience and private sector business acumen.”