Re: BHP Iron Ore 330 car trains.

["Toad" <toad@norcom.net.au>]

G'day All,
these trains have 4 AC 6000 locos (being 6000 hp), 2 up front, 1 at 110
cars, 1
at 110 cars. In one case saw 2 dash 8's, 110 cars, 2 dash 8's 110 cars, 1
dash 8, 110 cars, 1 dash 8 bringing up the rear! Dash 8's being 4000 hp each
equals 24000 hp. If the train was loaded at one of the Yandi mines it would
be 38940 tonnes of ore (based on average of 115 tonnes @ car. The set point
aim per car is 120 t! 39600 tones!! ), compared to Whaleback loadings of
around 100 tonnes per car (33000 tonnes), plus 18 tonnes per ore car 5940
tonnes, equals a gross weight of 44880 tonnes. Plus 200 tonnes per loco,
total tonage would be in the order of 52880 tonnes!! Total  horsepower in
the order of 24000 hp!! Based on the 220 car trains being 2.1 kilometres
long, these trains would be in the order of 3 kilometres (3000 metres or
about 10020 feet).
Hope this is of some help.
Regards,
Richard Montgomery.
Pilbara Railway Pages: http://www.railways.pilbara.net.au
E-mail: toad@norcom.net.au
ICQ: 100420100


"Toad" <toad@norcom.net.au> wrote in message
977065763.811698@cube.norcom.net.au">news:977065763.811698@cube.norcom.net.au...
G'day all,

BHP is getting close to running regular 330 car ore trains up here in Port
Hedland.
Did a line run today down to Shaw loop (220 km) the halfway mark to Newman.
The track is in place at Abydos loop, still some tidy up work to do, plus
the cutting in of the turnout. As well as initail ballasting.
Earth works have started at Walla loop, so won't be completed till next
year.
And work won't start on exteding Shaw loop till next year.
They are running 330 car trains at the moment, 1 out and back a day, with
passing trains taking the loop roads.

>From the Pilbara,
Richard.
Pilbara Railway Pages: http://www.railways.pilbara.net.au
E-mail: toad@norcom.net.au
ICQ: 100420100