International Railroad Discussion > Last Loxton Grain

Hi all,

During July, both of GWA's two remaing Mallee branch lines ceased having services run on them. This was due to the grain haulage going to road as requested by the grain forwarder. I managed to follow the last train on each line so we will do the Loxton which had its last train on 7/20/15. The power was 703, 2216 and ALF23 plus the rare crew car for the line as it was worked as a relay. ALF23 was also a very rare visitor to Loxton as on of the other engines was playing up. Normally it would have been detached at Tailem Bend due to the heavy axle load which meant this train ran at reduced speed.

1. The sun rises over Wanbi, one of the locations along the line.

2 & 3. The train heads along between Wanbi and Cobera.
 

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Next lot.

1. 1341 heads through a dip at Cobera.

2. Approaching Alawoona.

3. Passing through Alawoona.
 

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Next lot.

1. Passing through Alawoona.

2. Just out of Alawoona.

3. And again on the outskirts of Alawoona.

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Next lot.

1. Passing through the rollercoaster at Veitch.

2. Between Veitch and Pata.

3. Another rollercoaster this time at Pata.

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Next lot.

1. Between Pata and Tookayerta (Loxton).

2. Arriving at Tookayerta.

3. 2216 and 703 shunt at Tookayerta. Spot the Alco (703).

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Next lot.

1. Shunting at Tookayerta.

2 & 3. Now as 3142, the train departs Tookayerta for the last time.

 

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Next lot.

1. 3142 at the Pata rollercoaster.

2. Between Pata and Veitch.

3. Between Veitch and Alawoona.

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Next lot.

1. The train arrives at Alawoona for a crew change.

2. ALF23 next to an old switch stand at Alawoona.

3. Departing Alawoona.

 

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Next lot.

1. Near Cobera.

2 & 3. Passing through Wanbi.

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Next lot.

1. Passing through Mindarie.

2. Near Halidon.

3. Lastly, passing through Sandalwood before the sun sets.

Enjoy,
Justin

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What a shame losing to rubber traffic...glad you got them.

Yes it was an absolute shame that this traffic is head to road.

Justin

Hi all,

The video from this train.

Cheers,
Justin

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NICE pics!!

AussieGWAdriver Wrote:
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> Yes it was an absolute shame that this traffic is
> head to road.
>
> Justin

Ok, on the surface, this doesnt make a lot of sense.   What is the rest of the story?

Nice pics and great video!

http://www.railexpress.com.au/no-more-train-to-the-mallee/     Apparently it is cheaper and safer to upgrade the roads and run 3000 trucks a year as opposed to upgrading the railroad tracks.

What was the reason for the passenger car?

sp3663 Wrote:
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> What was the reason for the passenger car?

Don't hold me to it but I think it's for the crew due to long shifts.

Why is USA based Genessee & Wyoming giving up on this? They were formed to SAVE rail transport, not give up on it? How many grain trains like this per year move on this line? How long is the branch? I have trouble matching names and distances on the Nat'l Geographic maps I have. Please eplain local economics.

Thanks everyone and also for video of the day.

The grain handler wanted to switch to road transport as it was a cheaper option.

The crew car was being used as the train was run with a 4 man relay crew as they use on the long distance interstate runs. The occasionally do this for grain trains around South Australia as well.

This line would maybe see 20-30 trains a year and all work for this branch line was seasonal around the grain harvest. The branch line is just over 90 miles long and even has 60lb rail for the last section which makes for slow speeds.

Cheers,
Justin