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.

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.

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.

A quick arvo on the 4th of June at FMG.

A bit over an hour was spent at my usual hack spot for FMG, between the 5 km curve and the entrance to their port yard, on the afternoon of June 4, 2024 and four trains were observed with a fifth, an empty departing as I was arriving, which happens to me a lot!

This was the first time out for some months due to a number of issues, the car went to Perth to have the roof replaced and some other rust repairs, this was deemed cheaper than a replacement vehicle. I also managed to damage my primary everyday lens, the Canon 28-300 L, and broke the GPS unit on my camera setup. The Canon 5DIII body seems to have survived coming off the car at 60 km/h on Ballast Road at Hampton, Kalgoorlie, but I have noticed some strange exposures when using my other lenes, so a new camera may have to be planned for, testing is continuing. I have only just ordered a new replacement 28-300 mm L series Canon lens, and it seems these may have also now been discontinued by Canon...

However, I digress, back to the rail action, so, four trains were seen in a couple of hours out, two empty departures from the port and two loaded arrivals, one with a quad loco combination which is usually the bank engines being returned for servicing.

Port yard pilot locomotive was aging GE 9-44CW unit 004 shunting the compressor cars from the empty tracks to the rear of the loaded rakes.

The first empty train was SD70ACe-P6 units 729 leading SD70ACe/LCi unit 717 in the standard locomotive pairing that is in use on FMG with 119 waggon pairs for 238 waggons which departed the port at 1529 hrs.

Then at 1538 hrs a loaded train rolled under the Great Northern Highway overpass and into the Port behind the pairing of SD70ACe/LCi unit 713 leading the class leader of the AC44C6M rebuild model locomotives 101. This train also had 119 waggon pairs for 238 empty waggons.

A second loaded followed the first some twenty minutes later at 1608 hrs but this time it had quad locomotive power on the front. This is usually due to mine bank engines being returned to town for servicing requirements and happens on a regular basis.

AC44C6M locomotive 111 led SD70ACe/LCi unit 704 with AC44C6M pair 114 and 103 rounding out the quaddie with yet again 119 waggon pairs for 238 empty waggons. It is nice to see FMG sticking to consistent train lengths as in the past I have counted quite a variance in the number of waggon pairs per service.

The final train for the afternoon was an empty departing at 1634 hrs behind AC44C6M unit 117 leading SD70ACe/LCi locomotive 706 and the now standard 119 waggon pairs for 238 empty waggons.

Enjoy!

FMG arvo action 1st June 2023.

Well, finally have my trusty Canon EF28-300mm f/3.5-5.6L IS USM back from repair after serval months since failing during September 2022. So, a test arvo out at my favourite FMG hack spot was undertaken.

First train of the arvo was FMG's EMD SD70ACe/P6 unit 725 serial number 20188761-004 leading stablemate SD70ACe/LCi unit 707 serial number 20118611-007 and General Electric 9-44CW unit 002 serial number 58179 as the triple header departs the port with an empty train for the mines. 1600 hrs 1st of June 2023.

The above image was taken at 300 mm, or full zoom, settings were an ISO of 250 and shutter of 1/640th with an aperture of F9 and handheld, pretty happy with the results as it matches the performance I experienced with the lens prior to the failure.

The above image was taken at 60 mm, settings were an ISO of 250 and shutter of 1/640th with an aperture of F9. Slightly brightened and some contrast.

Second movement of the arvo was the port pilot shunting out and back to allow another empty train to depart the port. The pilot locos were EMD SD70ACe/LCi 711 serial number 20118693-003 and GE rebuild AC44C6M 106 serial number 50634 with compressor car set CC005.

I took this shot out wide to show some of the industrial hardware that surrounds the port areas around Port Hedland. The power lines that crisscross the landscape also pass under the rail corridor. Photo detail was 50 mm at ISO 250 with a shutter of 1/800th and an aperture of F7.1.

The final movement for the arvo was a double header with FMG's EMD SD70ACe/P6 class leader locomotive 722 serial number 20188761-001 leading older stablemate SD70ACe/LCi unit 704 with serial number 20118611-004 departing the port with an empty train for the mines at 1638 hrs on the 1st of June 2023.

Taken in the golden hour before sunset, image taken at 50 mm at ISO 250 with a shutter of 1/640th and an aperture of F8.

FMG AC44C6M units delivered to site by K+S Heavy Haulage.

On the 23rd of February 2023, K+S Heavy Haulage delivered some of FMG's AC44C6M locomotives. A pair of 685 horsepower Mack Titan's towing Drake 11x8 floats (capacity 275 tonnes) with 2x8 dollys delivered the second and third batches of the Wabtec AC44C6M rebuilds. Units 113 to 122 are the second batch, while 123 to 128 are the third batch. With the twelve units delivered in July 2022, this now makes up a roster of 28 AC44C6M locomotives within FMG's motive power fleet.

The AC44C6M units are all rebuilds from ex-lease BNSF 9-44CW units which were returned to GECX and rebuilt at Wabtec's Fort Worth, Texas facility. As part of the rebuild, the units still carry their original build dates and serial numbers. They received a new cab, conversion from DC to AC traction, new hood section and these FMG units also received new radiator sections similar to the export ES44DCi and ES44ACi units.

FMG AC44C6M 113 at Quartz Quarry Rd enroute to FMG's Thomas Yard on a Drake 275 tonne 8x11 float. 113 was rebuilt from BNSF 9-44CW unit 4849 with serial number 50703 and build date of 08/1998.

FMG AC44C6M 122 on Wilson Street, Port Hedland with the Port Authority control tower in the background enroute to FMG's Thomas Yard transported by K+S Heavy Haulage with a Mack 685 HP Titan, an 8x4 dolly and a Drake 275 tonne 8x11 float. 122 was rebuilt from BNSF 9-44CW unit 4774 with serial number 50628 and build date of 06/1998.

FMG AC44C6M 125 leaves the Port Authority as it rounds the corner off Gilbert St onto Wedge St with the Dampier Salt stacker and pile behind it. Transported by K+S Heavy Haulage with a Mack 685 HP Titan, an 8x4 dolly and a Drake 275 tonne 8x11 float. 125 was rebuilt from BNSF 9-44CW unit 4788 with serial number 50642 and build date of 07/1998.

FMG AC44C6M 118 leaves the Port Authority as it rounds the corner off Gilbert St onto Wedge St with the Dampier Salt dozer and salt pile behind it. Transported by K+S Heavy Haulage with a Mack 685 HP Titan, an 8x4 dolly and a Drake 275 tonne 8x11 float. 118 was rebuilt from BNSF 9-44CW unit 4809 with serial number 50663 and build date of 07/1998.

A full roster of FMG's motive power fleet, including these units can be found here.

FMG's 701 and 105 lead a loaded at the 5 km.

EMD SD70ACe/LCi class leader 701 'T155-Glen Davies' serial number 20118611-001 leads AC44C6M unit 105 rebuilt from former BNSF 9-44CW unit 4826 with serial number 50680 at the 5 km post as they arrive at the port for unloading.

701 has the T155 motif on the cab lefthand side, and a plate 'Glen Davies' on the righthand side.

Comparision between the HO scale, and the real FMG 9-44CW unit 003.

Some images of the real FMG 9-44CW unit 003 as delivered in November 2007 against some images of the same locomotive number 003 from Athearn in HO scale as a part of their Genesis 2 range which also included a number of US class one railroads.

 

Front on images of the prototype General Electric 9-44CW Fortescue Metals Group 003 on the left, and the Athearn Genesis HO scale model of the same unit on the right.

 

LHS images with the prototype on the left and the model on the right.

LHS cab view with the prototype on the left and the model on the right.

For a full review of this model, see the February 2023 edition of Australian Model Railway Magazine.

Athearn Genesis FMG 9-44CW model axles.

A quick video of the Athearn Genesis 9-44CW FMG unit on the rolling road showing the rotating bearing caps.

Athearn's model of the FMG 9-44CW units as delivered back in 2007.

Athearn Genesis 2.0 HO scale models of FMG 9-44CW units

Finally got around to 'commissioning' my three FMG 9-44CW Athearn Genesis DCC models and assigning their addresses and testing that the functions work etc.

The Athearn models were released last year, and they did three road numbers for FMG in both DC and DCC being 003, 007 and 014. The DCC models feature a SoundTraxx Tsunami2 decoder and dual sugar cube speakers.

The models are based off of the FMG 9-44CW units as they were delivered, and they sure look nothing like this today! Apart from rust and faded paint, the units have received marker lights, gates in the long hood handrails and raised extensions to the handrails where maintainers need to access the top of the 7FDL-16 prime mover, kickplates along the bottom of the handrails and modified handrails on the cab steps, amongst other minor details.

014 side view, details are crisp and well defined, and paint looks really good.

FMG 003 with the ditch lights, number boards and headlights burning bright, notice the step light directly in line with the headlight beside the cab door just above the walkway.

Overhead roof view of FMG 014 shows the LHS walkway and handrails, radiator grills, inverter cabinet and air conditioning unit.

FMG AC44C6M units delivered to site.

On the 23rd of February 2023, K+S Heavy Haulage delivered some of FMG's AC44C6M locomotives. A 685 horsepower Mack Titan delivers 125 (from the third batch of rebuilds 123-128) across the BHP Iron Ore Boodarie overpass enroute to FMG's Thomas Yard for placing onto rails.

A total of 16 units were delivered off the heavy lift vessel Miena Desgagnes at Port Hedland on the 4, 5 and 6th of February.

Following quarantine inspection, they were delivered to site during the 22-25 February.

125 was originally BNSF 4788 built in July 1998 as a 9-44CW with serial number 50642 as a DC traction unit.

Rebuilt by Wabtec at their Fort Worth Texas plant the units received new cabs, new hood sections, AC traction and inverter packages and an oil and radiator section very similar to the ES44DCi and ACi units of Rio Tinto and Roy Hill.

FMG locos change liveries and swap locations.

Both the FMG CM40-8M units that were sent to Fortescue's FFI (Fortescue Future Industries) in Hazelmere, Perth have been repainted into the FMG blue and white livery and renumbered. CD 4301 has been partially renumbered to 801, while, CD 4302 has been renumbered to 802.
In the first week of November 2022, 802 was trucked back up to Thomas Yard in South Hedland. Then one of FMG's former BNSF / GECX units, 4854, was returned on the same float and has been sent to Gemco in Perth and arrived there on the 10th of November 2022.

801 was former CFCLA CD 4301, and former Robe River 9410 with serial number 2160-03 / 96-202.
802 was former CFCLA CD 4302, and former Robe River 9421 with serial number 8297-02 / 93-137.

4854 was former BNSF / GECX with the same road number, serial number 50708 and built in 8/1998. It should be numbered 022 in the 9-44CW road number range of FMG units.

FMG's former BNSF / GECX 9-44CW units hit the rails.

Four of the former BNSF / GECX 9-44CW units have commenced operating in the shafts of triple headed ore trains on the FMG.

Observed just a few days ago were 016 in the yard near the workshops, and on trains in the middle of triple consists were 017, 020 and 023.

The other four are currently stored without full FMG numbers and are 4807, 4833, 4847 and 4854.

Here we see 020 former BNSF / GECX unit 4836 with serial number 50690 between two EMD SD70ACe/LCi units 721 and 713 on an empty train awaiting entry into Thomas Yard, South Hedland.

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'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