Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

On a dull day in May 2011 a freight train is about to depart after a brief stop in Alice Springs approximately half way through its 2,979 km (1,851 miles) journey from Darwin in the Northern Territory to Adelaide in South Australia. Before reaching Adelaide the train will drop off a string of empty ore Kibbles at a rail siding a further 800 km (almost 500 miles) down the track where they will be refilled with copper concentrate and returned to the port of Darwin to be loaded on a ship for transport overseas.

Of particular interest are the three locomotives at the head of the train each from a different rail operator and each wearing a different coat of paint.

Unusual mix of rail operators at the head of a freight train about to leave Alice Springs, May 2011.

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A rare sight in the Northern Territory a locomotive belonging to CF Asia Pacific.

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Beginning the long journey South. Note the passenger car behind the third locomotive is for the relief crew who will be resting until it is their turn in the driver's seat.

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The lead locomotive decorated with Aboriginal Artwork

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Part of a string of ore kibbles that will be detached and parked at a remote siding 800 km (500 miles) down the track where they will be loaded with copper concentrate from a nearby mine.

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The obligitory hazardous materials identification signs attached to each carrriage.

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35B Loc: Australia

Thanks for posting, I live in N.S.W and it is nice to see some different loco's. Are any loco's kept at Alice Springs in case of emergency?

35B

Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

Thank you for your response 35B. The only locomotive retained in Alice Springs is for shunting.

Regards.

Richard.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Interesting, enjoyed seeing these.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I agree!
Pat

35B Loc: Australia

Thanks Richard

sgt hop Loc: baltimore md,now in salisbury md

thanks... neat looking engines......

GrayGhost

Interesting to say the least. Thanks for sharing
73
GG

DonVA Loc: British Columbia and New Mexico

Thanks for these fine shots. I'm not familiar with ore kibbles. Are they part of the car or loaded on top of it? Interesting railroading when relief crews must travel with instead of being picked up on route.
Don

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

Thank you for looking and for your comments jaymatt.

Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

Thank you Jay Pat.

Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

Thank you sgt hop.

Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

Thank you for you comments GrayGhost.

Thorny Devil Loc: Alice Springs, Central Australia

Thank you for your comments Don. The kibles are individual bins loaded on top of the carriages but I am not sure how they are attached. Because of the long distances the trains travel through sparsely populated remote aeas, it is more practical for the releif crews to travel on the train. Regards. Richard.