FMG's final two 9-44CW units are cleaned.

FMG has leased, but there are rumours the units have been bought by FMG, eight Watco / GE lease units which are former BNSF units from an order of 217 General Electric 9-44CW locomotives under order number 1893 and the eight units that came to Australia are:

• 4783 serial number 50637 build Jun-1998
• 4787 serial number 50641 build Jun-1998
• 4807 serial number 50661 build Jul-1998
• 4833 serial number 50687 build Aug-1998
• 4836 serial number 50690 build Aug-1998
• 4847 serial number 50701 build Aug-1998
• 4854 serial number 50708 build Aug-1998
• 4871 serial number 50725 build Sep-1998

4833 and 4854 are on stands and have had their hood doors and body panels removed for intensive cleaning.

Two more of FMG's ex-BNSF 9-44CW units cleaned before service.

FMG has leased eight Watco / GE lease units which are former BNSF units from an order of 217 General Electric 9-44CW locomotives under order number 1893 and the eight units that came to Australia are:

• 4783 serial number 50637 build Jun-1998
• 4787 serial number 50641 build Jun-1998
• 4807 serial number 50661 build Jul-1998
• 4833 serial number 50687 build Aug-1998
• 4836 serial number 50690 build Aug-1998
• 4847 serial number 50701 build Aug-1998
• 4854 serial number 50708 build Aug-1998
• 4871 serial number 50725 build Sep-1998

4847 and 4807 sit on stands and have had their hood doors removed for intensive cleaning.

FMG has more waggons arrive.

The Pilbara Port Authority has unloaded another batch of waggons for FMG from the Chinese manufacturer. There are currently sitting on the wharf hard stand area within the port and the other half at the Gobi Yard where a lot of the giant modules have been parked in the past.

The highest numbers reported seen so far are 9537 and 10538. These are 130 higher than the last highest numbers seen 9407 and 10408 back in late September. This current batch also look to be CRRC Qiqihar built with the CNR style body as the last batch.

It is thought the vessel was the Greenery Sea as its last port prior to Port Hedland was Dalian in China which is a known loading point for CRRC waggons.

FMG's ex-BNSF 9-44CW units cleaned before service.

FMG has leased eight Watco / GE lease units which are former BNSF units from an order of 217 General Electric 9-44CW locomotives under order number 1893 and the eight units that came to Australia are:

• 4783 serial number 50637 build Jun-1998
• 4787 serial number 50641 build Jun-1998
• 4807 serial number 50661 build Jul-1998
• 4833 serial number 50687 build Aug-1998
• 4836 serial number 50690 build Aug-1998
• 4847 serial number 50701 build Aug-1998
• 4854 serial number 50708 build Aug-1998
• 4871 serial number 50725 build Sep-1998

4787 and 4783 sit on stands and have had their hood doors removed for intensive cleaning.

FMG's ex-BNSF 9-44CW units arrive in the Pilbara.

Well after a couple of days unloading over the 14th and 15th August 2021 FMG's eight lease units being former BNSF 9-44CW locomotives have 'hit the ground' in the Pilbara. It seems they have been separated from their bogies or trucks.

They are said to be on a four-year lease while additional motive power is rebuilt or sourced. The units are: GECX 4854, 4833, 4807, 4847, 4787, 4783, 4836, 4871.

They were shipped from Norfolk VA to Port Hedland on the heavy lift vessel BBC Emerald. 4854 was the first unloaded on the 14th and 4836 was the final on the 15th.

BNSF ordered 217 General Electric 9-44CW units under order number 1893 and the eight units that came to Australia are:

• 4783 serial number 50637 build Jun-1998
• 4787 serial number 50641 build Jun-1998
• 4807 serial number 50661 build Jul-1998
• 4833 serial number 50687 build Aug-1998
• 4836 serial number 50690 build Aug-1998
• 4847 serial number 50701 build Aug-1998
• 4854 serial number 50708 build Aug-1998
• 4871 serial number 50725 build Sep-1998

4836 and 4871 sit on stands and have had their hood doors removed.

West Australian Rails - Extra North 003

The latest issue of West Australian Rail is now online, albeit a special 'Extra North' edition covering some of the sightings myself and Roland Depth have captured in the Pilbara during the month of March 2021.

There will be a follow up edition to cover a few days in the Kalgoorlie region in April and then a third to cover the Pilbara again in May, stay tuned...

It can be found in the usual place or via the link below.

Enjoy!

West Australian Rails - Extra North 003

West Australian Rails - Extra North 001

The latest issue of West Australian Rail is now online, albeit a special 'Extra North' edition covering some of the sightings myself and Roland Depth have captured in the Pilbara during the month of March 2021.

There will be a follow up edition to cover a few days in the Kalgoorlie region in April and then a third to cover the Pilbara again in May, stay tuned...

It can be found in the usual place or via the link below.

Enjoy!

West Australian Rails - Extra North 001

FMG SD90MAC-H2 units still stored - update.

Here's an image of FMG's eight SD90MAC-H2 units stored out of service down the south end near their rail welding rail yard. 20th March 2021.

From left (port) to right (mine) are 910, 911, 912, 917, 913, 914, 915 and 916.

From studying images, it looks like both 912 and 916 have the engines removed, while 917 is partially stripped. Also, other items have been removed, like handbrake mechanisms and no doubt other 'bits'.