Broadlea to Blackridge
Central Queensland Coal Network Australia
Been awhile since I’ve posted but I’ve gotten a new timelapse app and will provide some extra route details with this post for those interested.
Headed for my weekly run west from Coppabella to Blair Athol loadout at Clermont. This film covers the Broadlea to Blackridge section approximately 100km/2hrs. Shortly after we’ll load a bit over 10000t of coal and I’ll swap with my 2nd driver who brings it back to our home yard and depot at Coppabella. Total travel, dwell, load and return time of 7.5hrs.
Due to our scheduled dwells I didn’t film the whole trip. We are 1 station out from each end and therefore the video is approximately 30kms shorter.
A bit about the route. From Coppabella to Moranbah the terrain is largely steep undulating mine lease land with some farming and cattle dotted about. Moranbah onwards each yard is the highest point between the next yard so as per normal what goes down must come up. The terrain flattens out a touch more and is still majorly cropping land for grains such as sorghum. The sun rises and sunsets during harvest season are absolutely unbeatable.
For my driving style personally I like the ability to use my remote locomotives in distributed power as we run a Loco-42wagons-Loco-42 wagons- Loco- 42wagons consist. Distributed power in this configuration makes particular target speeds easier to achieve during crossing activities and temporary speed restrictions, when you have the ability to use dynamic brake in the Front 2 locomotives while pushing in power with the rear to form a bunched consist.
Locomotives are 5500hp overhead electric Siemens 3700s x3. As far as locos I’ve driven personally overhead electric class 3700/3800 are the best I’ve come across for heavy long haul loads 13000t plus etc etc. Instant power and dynamic brake are a massive advantage over the diesel counterparts.