West Australian Iron Ore
Privately owned mining railways in the north western region [ Pilbara] of
Western Australia [WA], based on the towns of Port Headland and Dampier. The
only place in Australia to operate locos with 31 ton axle loads on 137 lb/yd
rail. The usual standard in Australia is up to 132 tonne on 6 axles for 22
tonne axle load. The main exception is the NSW 90 class, [General Motor GT46CW
built in London, Ontario, Canada in 1994] which are 165 tonnes total mass thus
27.5 tonnes/ 270 kN axle load.
All Mining Rail lines are standard gauge
Mining Rail Lines in Western Australia
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Hamersley Iron;
based at Dampier |
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[Cliffs] Robe
River Iron Associates; based at Cape Lambert |
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Mt Newman Mining [BHP mining];
based at Port Headland |
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Mt Goldworthy [BHP mining]
based at Port Headland. |
Together, these lines move 3 million tonnes a week with some of the longest
/ heaviest trains in the world using both front end and mid train locomotives.
S-2 BO-BO ALCO [M&S] 539 6 in
line engine. Built by ALCO in April 1940 for Spokane, Portland and Seattle RR.
1000 HP Arrived Pilbara area for service with Hamersley Iron RR in 1965. #007
"Mabel". Preserved Dampier in the Pilbara region of Western Australia
[WA].
C-415 BO-BO with ALCO 251 V-8
engine. Built ALCO USA 1966 as demonstrator unit. Toured USA railroads on sales
trip. Arrived Hamersley Iron RR 1968 for heavy shunting. Preserved Dampier.
C-628 CO-CO Built ALCO USA 1965.
2750 HP. ALCO 251 V16 engine. Used by Hamersley Iron RR. 5 units. Out of
service.
C-636 CO-CO Built AE Goodwin,
Sydney with later units by COMENG, Sydney. Introduced 1968. Some later units
are M-636 units. ALCO 251 V-16 engine. 3600 HP. Many used by Hamersley Iron RR,
Mt. Newman Mining, Cliffs Robe River RR. Total 636 type about 100 units.
The present day
motive power on the Pilbara railroads are all General Electric units.
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