6072 Leads Loaded under Redbank Bridge Second Day of 2005

    On January 2, 2005 I chased a loaded train with 6072 and 3081 leading 6076 and 5667 mid-train, from out near where Tabba Siding would later be installed, then past the 50 km, it crossed an empty at Mooka, when it was just a freshly minted passing track and then for the money shot, I snapped it as it passed under the Redbank Bridge on arrival into Hedland Yard at Nelson Point just after 1700 hours on the Sunday afternoon.

    As it happens a fair bit here in the summer, there was haze and high cloud impacting the image. The position that the below photo was taken from is no longer accessible with the duplication and yard modifications the fence line has likewise been altered.

    The Redbank Bridge was opened back on September 14, 1973. The track underneath that carries BHP Iron Ore traffic, and originally Mount Newman Mining traffic was duplicated in 2006.

    AC6000CW locomotive 6072 'Hesta', which was built by General Electric at their Erie, Pennsylvania plant in the USA back in January 1999 with serial number 51064 and was delivered in the April of the same year via the heavy lift vessel Titan Scan.

    6072 also has the distinction of being one of the last two AC6000 units to operate on the BHP mainline when it and 6076 worked a loaded train into the yard on September 1, 2013. It remained in the same livery its entire career. And was subsequently scrapped October 2014 at Sell & Parker, Wedgefield.

    As 6072 'Hesta' leads SD40-2 unit 3081 into Hedland Yard a couple of empty trains can been see on the departure roads at left.

    SD40-2 locomotive 3081 was one of five former Union Pacific SD40-2 models supplied by GE Transportation Services in a batch of twenty SD40 variants in a stop gap measure due to a motive power shortage on the BHP system.

    3081 was built by EMD at its McCook Illinois facility in March 1979 with serial number 786170-75 and was originally number UP 3573. The unit was overhauled by GETS and delivered in under coat wearing the number 3573 over the New Year in 2004 via the heavy lift vessel BBC China.

    3081 remained in the undercoat livery, along with all the SD40-2 units which were stored by May 2010, until it was eventually scrapped in July 2013 at Wedgefield.

Queued Loaded at Gillam, New Years Day 2005

    On New Years Day 2005 and CM40-8M locomotive 5637 'De Grey' leads a loaded train queued at the 99 kilometre post as it waits line clear into Gillam under the stewardship of Jacka Cale, a former Goldsworthy driver.

    5637 leads two former Southern Pacific SD40R locomotives 3087 and 3091 both in the then current BHP Billiton corporate livery, whilst 5637 wears the BHP Iron Ore livery, it was however repainted later it its career into the 'bubble' or 'earth' livery of BHP Billiton.

    5637 'De Grey' originally started for Mount Newman Mining as an AE Goodwin built Alco C636 locomotive from August 1968 with serial number G6012-05 and was the fifth and final member of the original C636 order of locomotives and was originally numbered 100-1005 for construction operations, prior to being given road number 5456 for operations.

    Following the successful rebuilding of eight C636 Alco locomotive into GE C36-7M units by Goninan in Perth, WA, and then the delivery of four new built CM39-8 units by Goninan, again in Perth, a further rebuild programme was undertaken to rebuild, by now BHP's fleet, of Alco locomotives into GE CM40-8M units. 5637 was the fourth unit so rebuilt in January 1992 with new serial number 8181-01 / 92-123, named 'De Grey' and painted into the BHP Iron Ore blue and white livery but with the marigold and charcoal stylised Australia symbol. In April 2006 it was repainted into the BHP Billiton 'earth' or 'bubble' livery.

21 Years Ago Today on the Hamersley Iron System

    Back in 2005 I spent a few days on the Hamersley Iron network, which was then known as Pilbara Rail which was managing the combined assets of Hamersley Iron and Robe River following the Rio Tinto purchase of the North Ltd holding in Robe River.

    On my return journey to Port Hedland I managed to catch the C36-7M pair 5052 'Ben' and 5051 'Bill' returning from East Intercourse Island with an empty rake of waggons as it passed over Anchovy Flats and was about to enter Seven Mile Yard.

    5051 and 5052 originally started life as a pair of AE Goninan built C636 Alco model locomotives for Mount Newman Mining. 5051 having been built in 1969 with serial number G-6035-2 and numbered 5461, whilst 5052 was built in 1970 with serial number G-6041-2 and numbered 5466. Both units were part of the world first Alco to GE rebuild program undertaken by Goninan in 1987/88 to rebuild eight Alco C636 locomotives into C36-7M models with new car bodies and Pilbara Cabs. In this rebuild process both locos received new builders numbers with 5461 becoming road number 5507 'Ethel Creek' with serial number 4839-03/87-072, and 5466 became 5508 'Fortescue' with serial number 4839-04/87-073. Both units were delivered in Mount Newman Mining orange and white with black swan emblem.

    Following the rebranding process of the BHP take over the units received the new BHP blue and white livery in 1991 with 5507 [5461-5507-5051] carrying the Goldsworthy Joint Venture lettering while 5508 [5466-5508-5052] had the Mt Newman Joint Venture lettering. Both units had the marigold and teal coloured version of the BHP stylised Australia logo.

    5507 [5461-5507-5051] has the distinction of carrying four names and two liveries for BHP Iron Ore, being delivered with the name 'Ethel Creek', then once repainted into the BHP livery was named 'Mt Whaleback', then 'Corunna Downs' and finally 'Nimingarra'. The two liveries being Mt Newman orange and then the BHP blue and white.

    The two locomotives were rebuilt once again in late 2002 by Goninan at Bassendean, Perth and then leased to Pilbara Rail for use at their Dampier Seven Mile operations as shunt engines and received the road numbers 5051 and 5052 along with the striking Pilbara Rail livery with HI markings, and were nicknamed Bill and Ben by the Pilbara Rail crews.

    The two units were road transported to Dampier ~January 2003 and survived in shunt service until withdrawn in ~2009 when they were then stored at Seven Mile yard for many years before being finally moved to Two Mile yard in early 2025 where both were subsequently scrapped in August 2025.

This shot is taken from the Dampier Salt road crossing. January 11, 2005 at 0905 hours.

    The second shot of the morning was taken just north of Dugite Siding on the Dampier to Tom Price line near the 60 km as an empty train train is powering south behind the standard combination of two General Electric 9-44CW units 7097 'Ken Onley' and 7093.

This shot taken on the cutting near the 60 km on the Tom Price line, January 11, 2005 at 0955 hours.

    7097 'Ken Onley' with serial number 54160 is from the fourth order with a build date of April 2003 and wears the Pilbara Rail livery with HI markings whilst 7093 with serial number 47772 was the final member of the original order with Hamersley Iron livery with a build date of November 1994.

    7093 was subsequently written off following cab damage after a collision with a loadout chute from March 2019 and was stored at Seven Mile prior to scrapping with 5051 and 5052.

Fortescue's BEL Class Leader 601 Delivered Tuesday December 9, 2025.

Fortescue's new, and class leader of the SD70J BB model battery electric locomotives, or BEL, 601 being delivered to Thomas yard on Tuesday December 9, 2025.

A Mammoet platform and two 'block' prime movers provide the muscle to shift these units that weigh around in excess of 260 tonnes. Hence why they were transported sans bogies, or trucks.

601 is a model SD70J BB with serial number 20218349-001 with a build date of 10-2025 and weighs 265 tonnes, or 584,225 lbs.

The two EMD 'Joule' 14.5 MWh BEL units left the Sete Lagoas plant of EMD in mid-October and were road hauled to the port of Itaguai where they were loaded onto the heavy lift vessel BBC Aquamarine for the sea voyage to Port Hedland via South Africa.

Designed to be charged by regenerative means and an overhead charging station, notice the conductor rods on the roof of the hood that contains the batteries.

Fortescue's New SD70J BB BEL 602 being Delivered on Monday December 8, 2025.

Fortescue's [formerly FMG] brand new EMD SD70J BB battery electric locomotive, or BEL, number 602, one of two units built for the company as it is delivered to Thomas Yard on a Mammoet platform and two 'block' prime movers and traffic pilots.

602 is model SD70J BB with serial number 20218349-002 with a build date of 10-2025 and weighs 265 tonnes, or 584,225 lbs.

The two EMD 'Joule' 14.5 MWh BEL units left the Sete Lagoas plant of EMD in mid-October and were road hauled to the port of Itaguai where they were loaded onto the heavy lift vessel BBC Aquamarine for the sea voyage to Port Hedland via South Africa.

Designed to be charged by regenerative means and an overhead charging station, notice the conductor rods on the roof of the hood.

Fortescue's new BEL 602 being delivered

Fortescue's [formerly FMG] brand new EMD SD70J battery electric locomotive, or BEL, number 602, one of two units [601 and 602] built for the company, turns off the Great Northern Highway as it heads to Thomas Yard on a Mammoet platform and two 'block' prime movers, for placing onto rails.

The two EMD 'Joule' 14.5 MWh BEL units left the Sete Lagoas plant of EMD in mid-October and were road hauled to the port of Itaguai where they were loaded onto the heavy lift vessel BBC Aquamarine for the sea voyage to Port Hedland via South Africa.

The BBC Aquamarine docked into Hedland port Wednesday morning on December 3, 2025.

This video was taken Monday, December 8, 2025.

Fortescue's Battery Electric Locomotives arrive in the Pilbara

The new Progress Rail EMD SD70J BB battery electric locomotives were built in Brazil and are numbered 601 and 602.

The two EMD 'Joule' 14.5 MWh BEL units left the Sete Lagoas plant of Progress Rail / EMD in mid-October and were road hauled to the port of Itaguai where they were loaded onto the heavy lift vessel BBC Aquamarine for the sea voyage to Port Hedland via South Africa.

The BBC Aquamarine docked into Hedland port Wednesday morning on December 3, 2025.

The images on this port were taken on December 7, 2025, and see 601 on stands while 602 is waiting for the following days departure time, and the span bolster Bo-Bo bogies or trucks. The locomotives are  reported to weigh in at 265 tonnes, or 584,225 lbs.

  

AC6000 6074 Leads Loaded Train Off the Avoidance Rd on the GML

    On the former Goldsworthy Mining Limited, GML, line [now owned by BHP] from Finucane Island to Goldsworthy, and later to mines Nimingarra, Shay Gap and later out further to Cundaline and Yarrie there was a siding, Kober which located between the 12.4 km and the 13.6 km between the Boodarie yard and Goldsworthy Junction. The siding Kober was named after Alfred Kober who was the Goldsworthy Mining Limited General Manager.

    The Kober siding was located towards the western end of Bofin Yard which was the name given to the line between the Newgold diamond crossing, and later Goldsworthy Junction with the Mount Newman Mining mainline and the GML Finucane Island location including Boodarie Yard when that was built following the closure of the GML workshops at Goldsworthy.

    In the attached picture taken on Christmas Eve, 2006, we see General Electric AC6000 locomotive 6074 'Kalgan' and Goninan rebuild GE CM40-8ML locomotive 5663 'Newcastle' [originally built without a cab as a Locotrol controlling remote] with a single rake train as it runs off the Avoidance Road onto the former GML mainline towards Finucane Island and Car Dumper 4 for unloading. This new location of SER4 is within the original siding location of Kober which was originally decommissioned on May 30, 1999.

This section of line to Finucane Island is now duplicated all the way, and both locomotives and a number of those waggons have been scrapped.

BHP's Wabtec BEL 9001, a couple of different delivery views

    Another couple of views of the delivery of BHP's brand new battery electric locomotives, this time it is 9001 and it was delivered on Sunday afternoon of November 16, 2025, at Nelson Point.

    9001 is an FXH70C model rated at 3163 kW and tipping the scales at 452,000 lbs for 205 tonnes. It is serial number 66453 and was built at Wabtec's Erie, Pennsylvania plant in the USA back in December 2023.

    A rear view looking down the left hand side of 9001 as it waits at BHP's Gate 9 for entry into site.

    As 9001 sits suspended, at the Nelson Point hard stand area, off the delivery trailer waiting to be placed on rails at Nelson Point, a loaded BHP train passes as it witnesses the future of rail transportation motive power as it proceeds towards the car dumpers behind the BHP standard pairing of EMD SD70ACe/LC locomotives 4344 'Tenacity' and 4342 'Marillana', both of which are from the fourth SD70ACe order and 2008 build year, hauling 135 loaded waggons.

BHP's Wabtec built FLXdrive™ BELs have arrived in the Pilbara.

    At around 0950 hrs on Thursday November 13, 2025, the BBC Chartering heavy lift vessel BBC St Petersburg arrived into Port Hedland harbour and part of the cargo was two Wabtec built FLXdrive™ locomotives for BHP. These battery electric locomotives have been a couple of years in the making.

    And after a number of hours the first of the two Wabtec battery electric locomotives, [BELs], 9002 and built for BHP, was unloaded and transported to the Pilbara Ports Authority 'Gobi' hardstand area on a 128 wheel Tutt-Bryant platform hauled by a Volvo FH16 prime mover a little before 1800 hrs.

    9002 is still gift wrapped in the protective tarpaulin which is also stencilled for LI-ION BATTERIES, as an early Christmas present for BHP's WA Iron Ore division and is seen here early evening, Thursday November 13, 2025, on the rear platform, the front empty platform would collect 9001 the following day.

    These battery electric locomotives were built in December 2023 at Wabtec's Erie, Pennsylvania, USA facility and weigh in at 452,000 pounds or 205 tonnes, with a model designation of FXH70C and a power rating of 4240 horse power or 3162 kW. The two BHP units, numbered 9001 and 9002 carry  the serial numbers 66453 and 66454 respectively.

    On Friday November 14, 2025, the class leader of the two Wabtec FLXdrive™ locomotives for BHP, 9001, was unloaded and is seen here arriving into the Gobi hardstand area on a 128 wheel Tutt-Bryant float being hauled by a Volvo Globetrotter FH700XXL prime mover at 0830 hrs.

    Both units with tarpaulins removed now await the completion of the Loco Lift hardware to be setup at BHP's Nelson Point hard stand trackage so they can be transferred to BHP's rails.

FMG sends some 9-44CW units for overhaul.

    FMG started sending some of their aging fleet of General Electric 9-44CW locos for overhaul work to be completed by UGL [Goninan] at their Bassendean, Perth workshops in July, 2025.

    The first two locos to leave FMG's Thomas yard on July 22, 2025, were 008 [serial number 58185] and 013 [serial number 58190]. Both these, and all of the original fifteen 9-44CW locomotives in FMG's power roster were built in August and September 2007 at Erie, Pennsylvania, USA and were the final DC 9-44CW locomotives built by GE. The sea journey to Port Hedland saw delivery occurring in November of that year. A power roster for FMG and be found here.

    The units were transported by Mammoet with two pairs of two prime movers hauling a 144 wheeled platform. One from Goldhofer and the other from Scheuerle.

    The first unit to leave site was 013, followed closely behind by 008.

    The second unit to leave, only seconds behind 013 was 008.

    A video of them can be seen below:

    July 22, 2025 and 013 and 008 depart FMG for Bassendean, Perth and a date with UGL for overhaul.

Fortescue - Downer JV BEL walk around.

    Here are some images of each side of the recently delivered Fortescue battery electric locomotive which was built in a collaboration with Downer Group.

    The locomotive used was an imported second hand General Electric 9-44CW which had been leased to BNSF and then returned to GE after the lease. It carried road number BNSF 4854, then GECX 4854 when returned off lease. It was purchased as part of an delivery of eight units from the USA and all came out still in BNSF Heritage II livery.

    GECX 4854 should have been numbered as FMG 022, to fit in with the Dash 9 roster, but it was sent to Gemco's workshops in Forrestfield where it was stripped down to just a frame and cab. It was subsequently fitted out with banks of CATL 306ah battery modules and associated cooling and control systems.

    After a time spent at Gemco the unit was moved to Hazelmere where Fortescue Future Industries had their workshops and had been working on ammonia fuel trials with CM40-8M and SD90 model locomotives.

    It was during this time at Hazelmere it was spotted in a dark, possibly black Fortescue Zero livery with THE POWER OF NOW along the body hood, and Fortescue ZERO on the cab side. This hood appeared to look more like some sort of cover rather than aa actual body shell.

    The locomotive, given the title Engineering Prototype 001 would leave Perth and be road transported back to Thomas Yard after over two and a half years away and transformed into a completely different beast. It arrived at Gemco, Perth back on November 10, 2022. And would return to the Pilbara on June 14, 2025, now in an overall white livery with blue stripes and a green circle representing zero and with Fortescue ZERO on the cab sides.

Fortescue's BEL arrives in the Pilbara.

    FMG's joint collaboration between its' Fortescue Future Industries, later Fortescue Zero, and Downer Group to create a battery electric locomotive, known as a BEL, took a second hand imported General Electric 9-44CW locomotive, in this case it was former BNSF, then GECX lease locomotive numbered 4854, with serial number 50708 and a build date of Aug 1998.

    GECX 4854 was imported into Australia by FMG and arrived in Port Hedland during September 2021 along with seven stable mates all from the same build order.

    Former BNSF now GECX units 4833, on the left and GECX 4854 on the right during their cleaning and quarantine inspections at the Port Hedland port on November 28, 2021, enroute from Norfolk, Virginia [USA] to FMG's Thomas Yard out the back of South Hedland.

    April 13, 2022, 4854 at the dome facility within FMG's Thomas yard as it is prepped for service with FMG. It should have been renumbered as 022 to fit in with the FMG 9-44CW roster, but I am not aware of this unit receiving that number.

    4854 was still seen around Thomas yard in June 2022. It was then transported to Perth and seen at Gemco's Forrestfield shops on November 10, 2022. And later seen dismantled to the frame leaving only the cab and prime mover.

    On August 8, 2024, 4854 was sighted at the FFI facility in Hazelmere wearing a Fortescue Zero livery with THE POWER OF NOW along the body hood, and Fortescue ZERO on the cab side.

    Then on June 14, 2025, and now in a white livery with blue stripe and numbered 001 arrived back in Port Hedland via Mammoet and a 144 wheeled platform.

    Right hand side view of Fortescue Zero's engineering prototype battery electric locomotive 001 as it is hauled on a 144 wheel platform during delivery along the Great Northern Hwy, June 14, 2025.

    Left hand side view of Fortescue Zero's engineering prototype battery electric locomotive 001 as it arrives in South Hedland, near their Thomas yard, June 14, 2025.

BHP AC6000's retired, November 2013 Line Up.

Back in November 2013, the remaining BHP Billiton AC6000 locomotives were all stored within Nelson Point Yard. Following a derailment at Turner Siding in late May 2011 class leader 6070 was written off due to a twisted frame and was scrapped on location.

By August 2013 the units were being stored or confined to yard pilot duties, by September 1, 2013 all were out of service and stored with 6076 being the final unit driven in service on the mainline.

The last day of service / mainline running of the AC6000 units were:

6070 - May 27, 2011 [Turner derailment].

6071 - May 21, 2013.

6072 - September 1, 2013.

6073 - May 2, 2013.

6074 - October 19, 2012.

6075 - August 12, 2013.

6076 - September 1, 2013.

6077 - August 13, 2013.

The line up of units from left to right is [number - serial - name]:

6071 - 51063 - Chichester

6074 - 51066 - Kalgan

6072 - 51064 - Hesta

6075 - 51067 - Newman

6077 - 51069 - Nimingarra

6073 - 51065 - Fortescue

6076 - 51068 - Mt Goldsworthy

FMG 123 loaded crosses FMG 727 empty 5km.

As a loaded FMG train behind AC44C6M loco 123 and SD70ACe 704 glide under the Great Northern Highway bridge as they approach the port, an empty departs the port behind SD70ACe-P6 loco 727 and AC44C6M loco 109 with 244 empty waggons in tow, the cross happened right in front of me at 1722 hours, Wednesday May 7, 2025.

The video shows the loaded coming around the 5 km curve on the east track and then the empty proceeding south away from the port on the west track. And as the loaded reappears we see the tail of both trains in the end.

Waggon consist for the empty train was [format is slave waggon - master waggon builder;]:

5043 - 6044 CNR QRRS; 5049 - 6050 CNR QRRS; 5987 - 6988 CSR Yangtze; 1319 - 2320 CSR Zhuzhou; 3617 - 4618 CNR QRRS; 7537 - 8538 CRRC Yangtze; 3237 - 4238 CNR QRRS; 3523 - 4524 CNR QRRS; 5773 - 6774 CSR Yangtze; 5025 - 6026 CNR QRRS; 1671 - 2672 CSR Zhuzhou; 3585 - 4586 CNR QRRS; 3443 - 4444 CNR QRRS; 5939 - 6940 CSR Yangtze; 1769 - 2770 CSR Zhuzhou; 5547 - 6548 CNR QRRS; 9165 - 10166 CRRC Qiqihar; 5887 - 6888 CSR Yangtze; 7315 - 8316 CSR Yangtze; 3925 - 4926 CNR QRRS; 3413 - 4414 CNR QRRS; 9689 - 10690 CRRC Qiqihar; 7609 - 8610 CRRC Yangtze; 5415 - 6416 CNR QRRS; 9441 - 10442 CRRC Qiqihar; 7701 - 8702 CRRC Yangtze; 1203 - 2204 CSR Zhuzhou; 5669 - 6670 CNR QRRS; 5257 - 6258 CNR QRRS; 7631 - 8632 CRRC Yangtze; 3603 - 4604 CNR QRRS; 5435 - 6436 CNR QRRS; 9197 - 10198 CRRC Qiqihar; 3247 - 4248 CNR QRRS; 7067 - 8068 CNR QRRS; 5897 - 6898 CSR Yangtze; 9029 - 10030 CRRC Yangtze; 5087 - 6088 CNR QRRS; 9071 - 10072 CRRC Yangtze; 5555 - 6556 CNR QRRS; 5585 - 6586 CNR QRRS; 7683 - 8684 CRRC Yangtze; 5759 - 6760 CSR Yangtze; 1657 - 2658 CSR Zhuzhou; 9407 - 10408 CRRC Qiqihar; 5391 - 6392 CNR QRRS; 9489 - 10490 CRRC Qiqihar; 1739 - 2740 CSR Zhuzhou; 9779 - 10780 CRRC Qiqihar; 9673 - 10674 CRRC Qiqihar; 9169 - 10170 CRRC Qiqihar; 3533 - 4534 CNR QRRS; 1009 - 2010 CSR Zhuzhou; 7115 - 8116 CNR QRRS; 3755 - 4756 CNR QRRS; 7979 - 8980 CRRC Yangtze; 9327 - 10328 CRRC Yangtze; 7831 - 8832 CRRC Yangtze; 3145 - 4146 CNR QRRS; 3065 - 4066 CNR QRRS; 7535 - 8536 CRRC Yangtze; 5791 - 6792 CSR Yangtze; 3123 - 4124 CNR QRRS; 3111 - 4112 CNR QRRS; 5515 - 6516 CNR QRRS; 7641 - 8642 CRRC Yangtze; 5409 - 6410 CNR QRRS; 9557 - 10558 CRRC Qiqihar; 5989 - 6990 CSR Yangtze; 9205 - 10206 CRRC Qiqihar; 7915 - 8916 CRRC Yangtze; 7961 - 8962 CRRC Yangtze; 5387 - 6388 CNR QRRS; 3531 - 4532 CNR QRRS; 5371 - 6372 CNR QRRS; 3869 - 4870 CNR QRRS; 9599 - 10600 CRRC Yangtze; 9163 - 10164 CRRC Qiqihar; 9605 - 10606 CRRC Yangtze; 9135 - 10136 CRRC Qiqihar; 7459 - 8460 CRRC Yangtze; 7519 - 8520 CRRC Yangtze; 3865 - 4866 CNR QRRS; 1527 - 2528 CSR Zhuzhou; 5355 - 6356 CNR QRRS; 7913 - 8914 CRRC Yangtze; 9291 - 10292 CRRC Qiqihar; 5013 - 6014 CNR QRRS; 3563 - 4564 CNR QRRS; 7871 - 8872 CRRC Yangtze; 7181 - 8182 CNR QRRS; 5831 - 6832 CSR Yangtze; 3929 - 4930 CNR QRRS; 5397 - 6398 CNR QRRS; 5705 - 6706 CNR QRRS; 5465 - 6466 CNR QRRS; 1559 - 2560 CSR Zhuzhou; 5885 - 6886 CSR Yangtze; 3683 - 4684 CNR QRRS; 9319 - 10320 CRRC Yangtze; 3059 - 4060 CNR QRRS; 7829 - 8830 CRRC Yangtze; 9703 - 10704 CRRC Qiqihar; 5217 - 6218 CNR QRRS; 9437 - 10438 CRRC Qiqihar; 7965 - 8966 CRRC Yangtze; 3631 - 4632 CNR QRRS; 9363 - 10364 CRRC Qiqihar; 7203 - 8204 CNR QRRS; 7467 - 8468 CRRC Yangtze; 1539 - 2540 CSR Yangtze; 9369 - 10370 CRRC Qiqihar; 7817 - 8818 CRRC Yangtze; 5339 - 6340 CNR QRRS; 11089 - 12090 CRRC Qiqihar; 7361 - 8362 CRRC Yangtze; 1599 - 2600 CSR Zhuzhou and CRRC Yangtze 2nd style ribbed; 5003 - 6004 CNR QRRS; 7873 - 8874 CRRC Yangtze; 5483 - 6484 CNR QRRS; 3241 - 4242 CNR QRRS; 9553 - 10554 CRRC Qiqihar.

BHP's 4464 'Celebrating 50 Years 1969 To 2019'.

I do not see this BHP SD70ACe 4464 'Celebrating 50 Years 1969 To 2019' locomotive leading very often, and less so when I'm in a position to capture an image of it. Well, it finally happened on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

SD70ACe locomotive 4464 'Celebrating 50 Years 1969 To 2019' was built by Progress Rail in 2014 with serial number 20138907-015. Seen here at Nelson Point on a 135 waggon rake with sister locomotive 4340 as they wait their turn to present to the car dumpers for unloading.

FMG retires two 9-44CW locomotives.

    On April 28, 2025, Mammoet transported two stripped General Electric 9-44CW units from FMG's Thomas Yard to Wedgefield for scrapping by Sell & Parker.

    The two units, 003 with serial number 58183 and 006 with serial number 58183 were built by GE in August 2007 and delivered to the then new iron ore mining project under construction by FMG in the November of that year. FMG purchased fifteen of the locomotives from GE and all were built in Erie, Pennsylvania [USA]. These were the final 9-44CW units built by GE.

003 sits on its pilots with the bogies, radiators, air-conditioning unit and other items removed prior to delivery to Sell & Parker.

006 sits on its pilots, partially stripped of reusable parts by FMG before being scrapped.

Loaded at the 28.5 km Cape Lambert line.

A loaded Rio Tinto train with ES44ACi model locomotive 9104, 9-44CW model locomotive 7075 and ES44DCi model locomotive 8106 hold the west mainline at the 28.5 km marker, on the Cape Lambert line, immediately south of Arches having allowed a loaded Deepdale train to run through it on the east mainline and then an empty that was in Arches switched from the west to the east and passed this loaded. July 1, 2024.

Ballast train at Green Pool.

Had to go to Karratha to collect some fridge's that had been there getting fixed, and with my new camera I decided to go via Cape Lambert, Western Creek, then down to Dampier to get to Karratha. After a loaded at Arches, I can upon this ballast train sitting in the back track at 1025 hrs.

Green Pool, Cape Lambert line. July 1, 2024.

Ballast train with 8130 [closet to camera], 8195 and 8107 with 26 loaded hoppers and two ploughs.

Location is here. 

Cape Lambert South Yard with Blue Rake

June 19, 2024, looking south from the Walcott Drive over bridges and one of the Rio Tinto blue rakes of waggons has just rolled into Cape Lambert South Yard along 19 Road under AutoHaul and a local driver has now boarded in preparation to run into Car Dumper 5 for unloading.

From the left, in A1 dead end sits 8163, 9111 and 8125 with compressor set CB07 which have cut off an empty rake from Car Dumper 2. 8159, 8140 and 8174 shunt back onto the empty rake along 8 Road. An empty rake sits on 10 Road, whilst the blue rake is on 19 Road.

The blue rake heads for Car Dumper 5 along 19 Road going over 144B switch behind 9-44CW locomotive 7070 in original Hamersley Iron livery, ES44DCi 8155 in the Rio Tinto stripe livery and 9-44CW 7069 in original Hamersley Iron livery. In the foreground on 8 Road are triple ES44DCi units 8174, 8140 and 8159 all in the Rio Tinto stripe livery.