International Railroad Discussion > More Downunder Photos

Hi all,

A few recent shots over the last couple of weeks.

1 & 2. SCT service 2MP9 with SCT005, SCT009 waits on the siding at Ooldea in South Australia on 8/13/2014.

3. Aurizon service, 3PM1 approaches Ooldea hauled by 6023, 6025 on 8/13/14.

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Next lot.

1. Aurizon service, 5MP1 heads down the 2.2% grade at Lynton in South Australia behind 6029, 6003, G516 on 8/22/2014.

2 & 3. Pacific National service, 3PM6 climbs the 2.2% grade towards Sleeps Hill tunnel behind NR5, NR8, DL50, NR100 on 8/22/2014. This spot was just around the corner from where the train disappears in the photo of 5MP1.

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Next lot.

1. 6MP9 with SCT003, SCT014 waits in the siding at Moorine Rock in Western Australia on 8/24/2014.

2. 1484 Prospector railcar service from Kalgoorlie to Perth overtakes 6MP9.

3. The sunrise looking over the searchlight signals at Wallaroo in Western Australia. 8/26/2014.

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Next lot.

1. Aurizon empty iron ore service, 2418 from Esperance to Koolyanobbing in Western Australia passes through Wallaroo with ACB4401, Q4006 at the head end. 8/26/2014.

2. The DPU units, Q4015 and ACB4406 are 106 cars back with another 53 cars behind them.

3. SCT service, 2PM9 with SCT003, SCT014 waits in the remote siding of Lyons in the South Australia desert in the early hours of 8/27/2014.

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Last one.

SCT service 2MP9 passes 2PM9 at Lyons on 8/27/2014.

Enjoy.

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Really nice series. Thanks!

~ BZ

I really enjoy these too--a world unfamiliar to me.

Thanks for the comments. I managed to have the afternoon free and with the nice weather (right at the end of winter here) I went out for some photos on a quick 375 mile drive.

1. 4SA8 Indian Pacific passes through Snowtown in South Australia behind NR27 and DL50 8/28/14.

2. 4MP5 with NR24, NR90 departs Snowtown after the Indian Pacific had passed through.

3. 4MP5 passes a canola field near Lakeview.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/14 06:59 by AussieGWAdriver.

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Next lot.

1. 3PG1 SCT service approaches Coonamia behind SCT015, SCT002 with the Flinders Ranges in the background. 8/28/14.

2. SCT connector service with the crew car and Adelaide bound loading off 3PG1 approaches Port Germein behind Genesse & Wyoming unit, GM47.

3. 4MP5 tops the 1% grade at Nectar Brook.

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Next lot.

1 & 2. Genesee & Wyoming's intermodal service from Darwin to Adelaide, 4DA2 with former Freightlink units FQ01 and FQ03 approaches Mambray Creek on 8/28/14.

3. A former British Columbia Railway (BCOL) 2-pack piggyback wagon which was purchased by Freightlink.

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Last lot.

1. 4DA2 approaches Port Germein.

2. 4DA2 approaching Coonamia.

3. The sun has set as 4DA2 passes through Coonamia.

Enjoy.

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Lovely work, C.J.!

Cheers,
Jack

Are those ex-TTX cars still running in Australia? Very cool shots!

Great shots!!! And I learned something new as well. I had no idea you guys downunder even HAD double stacks!

The tank cars directly behind the locomotives are fuel tenders?

On the trains with crew cars usually yes, they're mostly tanktainers on a flat with fuel pumps.

Sweet!

BobE

A lot of great pictures, but the one with the stars is fantastic.

What many cars are in some of those longer trains? They seem hefty, with the grade you mention, I'm curious if they are ever underpowered with two units.

Thanks everyone.

Here is a fuel tender set up for SCT.

The length of the trains is limited to 1800m (5905ft) and as for the tonnages they are normally around the 4000-5500 ton range. Two SCT class GT46ACe's (SD70ACe) are good for a maximum of 6000 ton on intermodal trains and 8000 ton on slower, heavier ore trains.

The former 45 TTX piggy back flatcars that were brought over here in the mid 1980's by Australian National are still around. There is about 20 left and they have been converted to container flatcars for Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia. http://www.cfcla.com.au/datasheet/CQAX_Wagon_Data_Sheet.pdf



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/28/14 21:22 by AussieGWAdriver.

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Well I got out amongst it again this morning. All photos in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia.

1. Pacific National service, 5MP7 climbs into Mt. Lofty hauled by NR26, NR117, NR81 on 8/29/14.

2. NR16 hauls 6AM8 The Overland through Aldgate. This train runs twice a week in each direction between Adelaide, South Australia and Melbourne, Victoria.

3. SCT service 5MP9 climbs the 2.2% grade at Yantaringa behind SCT012, SCT008, CSR006.

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