International Railroad Discussion > Ferronor Chile update

After nine months of operations with the new EMD GT46ACs, the iron ore operation between the Los Colorados mine and the Port of Huasco has settled in. Trains are now 42 cars instead of 28 cars as before when pulled by the old GR12s. Tonnage is about 2800 tons and a helper is still needed for the westbound loads from Empalme to the summit at Chehueque. The locos are now being turned at both ends of the line so it was time to get up north to give chase. All the following photos were taken May 5-7, 2014.

A note about getting to some of these spots. All can be driven to easily and one is never more than a few minutes from a main highway. And if you do get stuck, often as not the train will stop and they'll help you out.

1. Eastbound empties behind 4603 in the usual morning fog at Empalme. Headlight in the background is the helper set waiting for a westbound load to come down from the mine, once 4603E arrives there.

2. 4603W dropping down the hill into Vallenar.

3. 4605W leaving a meet at Maitencillo.



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/14 14:20 by masterphots.

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4. 4605W nearing Maitencillo.

5. EMD GT46AC demo 4301W just east of Freirina. This unit was destined for Brazil but Ferronor bought it and it will become 4607 eventually, although I suspect they will leave the EMD livery for awhile.

6. Former Alaska RR GP49 2808W, now an SD49, arriving at Maitencillo. These units are seldom on the road trains these days, but this one with its slug replaced an ailing 4603 at Llanos de Soto (Vallenar) shops.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/03/14 15:48 by masterphots.

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7. FN 4605E meets EMD 4301W at Maranon siding.

8. EMD 4301E north of Vallenar.

9. FN 4603W same location.

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10. Chacritas is a great spot as the loaded westbounds are really slogging up the 3% grade to the nearby summit at Chehueque. Here EMD 4301W is hard at it, with the smoke from the old GR12 helpers in the distance.

11. 4503E drops down the same grade with empties headed for the mine at Los Colorados.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/14 14:36 by masterphots.

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Good stuff, Allen, thanks for posting.

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

Nice set Alan

10 could be an EMD advertisement. I like that you mention that these are all close to the highway because they look to be miles away from anything.

Jim

Great shots Alan. I need to get down there sometime. Maybe next year, once I get back to work and get some days and passes to Chile.

Dale Brown

tq-07fan Wrote:
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> 10 could be an EMD advertisement. I like that you
> mention that these are all close to the highway
> because they look to be miles away from anything.
>
> Jim

Highways are pretty much miles away from anything in the Atacama Desert. As far as an EMD ad, they'd probably photoshop out the helpers at the end of the train.

Really good shots. The scenery is amazing.

Great photos, Alan. Really dramatic scenery in the Atacama Desert.

Rich

Great Shots Alan! BTW, what is happening steam wise in Temuco, Santiago and elsewhere! Any 4-8-2's out and about?

:-)

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