Framed by the waiting shelter on the platform, another train of empties heads up the Hunter Valley.
Newly-repainted XPT Power Car 2004 tears through Tarro with the afternoon Sydney-Grafton service.
Taking the new alignment through Sandgate, a triple Class 90 consist leaves Kooragang Island with empties as a counterpart from Port Waratah follows in the distance.
Hunter Valley coal traffic is booming at the moment with loadings of 85 million tonnes per year set to increase. PN have boosted the number of Class 90s to 35 in an effort to meet the demand. Note... (more)
QR National have recently started running inter-state freights in competition with Pacific National using a variety of acquired standard-gauge locomotives.
Countrylink provide inter-city services from Sydney to Melbourne, Dubbo, Brisbane, Grafton and Casino using trainsets derived from the UK's IC125 design. The morning Melbourne service is seen leav... (more)
A Hunter Valley coal train is about to arrive at Kooragang Island for unloading, behind a trio of 90-class 'Heavies'.
Rake of ore cars being unloaded. Note birds using piles of ore as suitable resting places!
An inbound loaded ore train nears the end of the route at Saldanha. Electric and diesel power are in use on most ore trains at the moment.
A train of empty ingots and flat cars makes its way on the Sishen-Saldanha line to the mineral processing plant at Koekenaap.
Class 36 locos used for switching work at Salkor Yard on the Sishen-Saldanha iron ore line.
An empty ore train catches the late afternoon sun on the viaduct through Elandsbaai.
A class 18E rebuild basks in the afternoon sun.
Sishen-Saldanha iron ore trains generally comprise of 216 100-tonne cars. Diesel traction is often used to augment the 9E electrics currently being refurbished.
A short empty timber train rattles through town with some good old GE power (U15Cs)
