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.

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!

Golden Hour at FMG.

Late in the afternoon of the 2nd of September 2023, during 'golden hour', we captured this empty train departing the Fortescue Metal Group Port Hedland port behind a pair of Wabtec AC44C6M rebuild units. The AC44C6M locomotive is an AC-traction 4,400-horsepower diesel-electric locomotive which have been rebuilt from General Electric 9-44CW (or Dash 9) locomotive models, including new cabs and an ES44ACi type radiator section. In FMG's case, their fleet of twenty-eight AC44C6M units heritage is all former BNSF/GECX lease units.

FMG's AC44C6M locomotive 109 serial number 50652 and rebuilt from BNSF 4798 with an original build date of June 1998 was delivered to Australia in the first tranche in July 2022, it is leading sister AC44C6M locomotive 120 with serial number 50631 and rebuilt from BNSF 4777 with an original build date of also of June 1998. The rebuilds retain their original serial numbers and build dates.

Trailing shot shows the left-hand side of AC44C6M locomotive 120 as the pair lead their empty train powering across the former Boodarie Access Road grade crossing at the 5 km curve.

All the AC44C6M rebuilds were completed by Wabtec at their Fort Worth, Texas plant and the three tranches of locomotives arrived in two deliveries, first in July 2022 (101-112) and the final in February 2023 (113-128). After a quarantine inspection they were road hauled to Thomas Yard for placing onto FMG rails.

Loaded FMG train waits line clear beside Kanyirri Yard.

late in the afternoon at 1750 hrs on the 24th of March a loaded FMG train behind AC44C6M unit 109 and SD70ACe/LCi unit 715 await line clear into the port and one of the car dumpers as it sits beside Kanyirri Yard which is the trip service facility for the FMG locomotive fleet.

A more side on shot shows three units also ready to depart the service facility, SD70ACe/P6 unit 729, AC44C6M 105 and 9-44CW 002.

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 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.

Roy Hill's latest locomotive RHA 1028.

Roy Hill's latest locomotive RHA 1028 was delivered to site today (12/01/2022) by Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift. RHA 1028 is in the breast cancer awareness livery.

This livery already adorns RHA 1022 to RHA 1026 locomotives and a couple of hundred waggons. RHA 1028 has a build date of November 2021 and was built by Wabtec at their Fort Worth, Texas facility as an ES44ACi model with serial number 66307.

It was shipped out of the port of Houston, USA on the 23rd of November 2021 on the vessel CALYPSO and unloaded in Port Hedland on the 9th of January 2022.

This brings Roy Hill's locomotive fleet to 28 ES44ACi units.