International Railroad Discussion > VLI phosphate rock train (Brazil)

Hi, I received this picture by a friend. It was taken in the VLI phosphate rock route between Salitre and Araxá, MG. We see three SD80ACeBB leading a loaded phosphate rock train near Ibiá  MG.
The autor added his name to the picture: Andrey F.O. Silva. The quality is not good  but it can give you an idea of how sinuous is that line.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,




Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/22/20 15:59 by pedrop.

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2 - 4) The junction of the Araxá branch with Centro corridor in Biá, MG. Pictures by friend Jairo Nunes.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/20 02:56 by pedrop.

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5- 7) In the picture, the train is leaving Araxá branch and headed to Ibiá and Belo Horizonte. 

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

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8) More picture by Jairo Nunes.

Pedro

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/20 03:10 by pedrop.

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Interesting consist Pedro.  Do they regulary spread the power across the whole consist or is this just a practice on the branch?

Again Pedro thanks for giving us a view of operations in your corner of the world.

Sinuous and steep in that first shot!

Hi, the big and heavy trains like the ore and grains use to have DPU to avoit derailments in tourtuos lines such this.

espee99 Wrote:
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> Interesting consist Pedro.  Do they regulary
> spread the power across the whole consist or is
> this just a practice on the branch?
>
> Again Pedro thanks for giving us a view of
> operations in your corner of the world.

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Very interesting pictures.  thanks.

WOW!  Andrey found the perfect location to shoot the action from in the first photo!

Really some very interesting pictures! Some great views of the tracks! Liked the train that looked like a snake with the curves.

Larry

Pedro,   Anything you post is much appreciated! Your friends post too!  It’s keeping me sane!  
I haven’t been to my train watching spot very much and few others show up.
How  much distance between the lead unit and the DPU s?    Very interesting compression visually!
U
!

Hi, the phosphate rock trains use to have 80 to 90 cars, so I imagine the locomotives are placed in sections of 30 - 30 - 20 or 30 - 30 - 30 cars.
CM80-46 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pedro,   Anything you post is much appreciated!
> Your friends post too!  It’s keeping me sane!
>  
> I haven’t been to my train watching spot very
> much and few others show up.
> How  much distance between the lead unit and the
> DPU s?    Very interesting compression
> visually!
> U
> !

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/17/20 18:10 by pedrop.

Good stuff Rezende!

 

"quality is not good". Really? That first photo is amazing from an artistic perspective. 

For sure it is a great picture, but it has bad pixels quality. I am sure the original is better than this copy I received from a friend.

SAAP Wrote:
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> "quality is not good". Really? That first photo is
> amazing from an artistic perspective. 

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Really like that first picture Pedro, thanks for posting it. It gives an appreciation of the service the SD80ACe-BB's are in.

Any comments now that they've been in service for several years? Are they all delivered now?

Dave

Hi Dave,
The SD70ACeBB are excellent locomotives and VLI crews love them. VLI also have the broad gauge SD70ACe and MRS bought three SD70ACe and a SD80ACe last week. They were EMD and Progress Rail Demonstrators.
 Pedro

bogieman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Really like that first picture Pedro, thanks for
> posting it. It gives an appreciation of the
> service the SD80ACe-BB's are in.
>
> Any comments now that they've been in service for
> several years? Are they all delivered now?
>
> Dave

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1

Thanks Pedro. Good to hear MRS is a customer, I know they were a tough sell. Before I retired, we did work on a broad gauge version of the HTCR truck specifically for MRS, wonder if that figures in to future orders.

Dave

I imagine MRS asked a truck model with better adhesion since it has big grades in its lines. 

bogieman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks Pedro. Good to hear MRS is a customer, I
> know they were a tough sell. Before I retired, we
> did work on a broad gauge version of the HTCR
> truck specifically for MRS, wonder if that figures
> in to future orders.
>
> Dave

Pedro Rezende
Vespasiano MG,
https://youtube.com/c/minasgeraisrailways1