The coal is still rollin’ (in the mellow yellow)!
Coal is still Queensland’s major mineral export, despite reductions in demand as coal fired power stations go offline. That is called thermal coal. We often forget that coal is still an important ingredient in other metal processes and metallurgical coal is still fundamental to steel making all round the world. Coal leaves Queensland from four major ports at Abbott Point, Hay Point, Gladstone and also Brisbane where coal from the Darling Downs is loaded onto ships after a sinuous trip over the Great Dividing Range. Large exports of coal also are handled at Newcastle and Port Kembla in New South Wales, while iron ore heads out from the Pilbara and south coast of Western Australia. No one would suggest we go without steel.
This shot sees Aurizon’s 2311 ** and 2308* powering out of the Port of Brisbane at Fisherman Island (the bridge marks the entry to the island port) with 49 empties for the Darling Downs.
I was standing here alone when I looked around to find another enthusiast beside me. Turns out he was a Canadian out here for a railway bash for four months, that’s what I call a great holiday. I wonder if he got home early. It was nice to be able to give an unassuming and friendly fellow enthusiast some tips.
Aurizon coal train, Fisherman Island, Brisbane, Queensland.
* Detailed observers may just be able to see that 2308 has a moustache painted on the side of its cab. This is in support of the Movember Foundation which uses the logo in support of its goal of raising awareness of men’s health issues. Men often neglect their health for various reasons, but guys, amongst other things, ask your doctor to give you the finger on an annual basis. It may just save your life!
** The 2300 class are ex. Queensland Railways locomotives, QR’s freight arm being privatised as Aurizon. They were converted from the 1550, 2400, 2450 and 2470 classes. Many are now stored as Aurizon traffic levels have reduced or they have withdrawn from traffic of a non-mineral nature across Queensland. Some locos of the class remained with Queensland Rail.
Locos from both companies now wear old and new liveries, in fact as far as I know, Aurizon still has locos in two ex. QR liveries (Bronco and Eagle) as well as the first Aurizon livery shown here and the cheap latest basic scheme which is mostly just yellow.
A couple have been recently converted to lighter locomotives with complete upgrades of just about everything into the 2700 class. However, traffic changes may preclude further conversions.
Here is the 2300 story
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_Railways_2300_class
The 2700 class, 2701- is yet to be written!
The coal is still rollin’ (in the mellow yellow)!
Coal is still Queensland’s major mineral export, despite reductions in demand as coal fired power stations go offline. That is called thermal coal. We often forget that coal is still an important ingredient in other metal processes and metallurgical coal is still fundamental to steel making all round the world. Coal leaves Queensland from four major ports at Abbott Point, Hay Point, Gladstone and also Brisbane where coal from the Darling Downs is loaded onto ships after a sinuous trip over the Great Dividing Range. Large exports of coal also are handled at Newcastle and Port Kembla in New South Wales, while iron ore heads out from the Pilbara and south coast of Western Australia. No one would suggest we go without steel.
This shot sees Aurizon’s 2311 ** and 2308* powering out of the Port of Brisbane at Fisherman Island (the bridge marks the entry to the island port) with 49 empties for the Darling Downs.
I was standing here alone when I looked around to find another enthusiast beside me. Turns out he was a Canadian out here for a railway bash for four months, that’s what I call a great holiday. I wonder if he got home early. It was nice to be able to give an unassuming and friendly fellow enthusiast some tips.
Aurizon coal train, Fisherman Island, Brisbane, Queensland.
* Detailed observers may just be able to see that 2308 has a moustache painted on the side of its cab. This is in support of the Movember Foundation which uses the logo in support of its goal of raising awareness of men’s health issues. Men often neglect their health for various reasons, but guys, amongst other things, ask your doctor to give you the finger on an annual basis. It may just save your life!
** The 2300 class are ex. Queensland Railways locomotives, QR’s freight arm being privatised as Aurizon. They were converted from the 1550, 2400, 2450 and 2470 classes. Many are now stored as Aurizon traffic levels have reduced or they have withdrawn from traffic of a non-mineral nature across Queensland. Some locos of the class remained with Queensland Rail.
Locos from both companies now wear old and new liveries, in fact as far as I know, Aurizon still has locos in two ex. QR liveries (Bronco and Eagle) as well as the first Aurizon livery shown here and the cheap latest basic scheme which is mostly just yellow.
A couple have been recently converted to lighter locomotives with complete upgrades of just about everything into the 2700 class. However, traffic changes may preclude further conversions.
Here is the 2300 story
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_Railways_2300_class
The 2700 class, 2701- is yet to be written!