When the North Coast line was electrfied it was a rare event to see a diesel loco on the line but with a recent change of policy diesels are now running through from points north of Rockhampton which is the limit of electrifacation to the north. Trains previously exchanged locos at Rockhampton (diesels to go north and electric to head south) but most are only allowed thirty minutes to refuel and complete inspections. This series of photos at Beranjondo Loop is a case in point with the dominance of diesel locos on the day very clear. Beranjondo is located at the 413 km mark on the North Coast Line and the area has recently undergone a large realignment project which has made running on the section from Gladstone to Bundaberg very fast for both freight and passenger trains. All the following photographs were taken on Tuesday 16/7/01.
2820 with thirty two wagons climbs the grade on the northern approach to Beranjondo Loop at 12 .14pm. The curve is one of the few low speed ones left on the line and requires the train to slow to 60 km/h. You may also notice the colour of the grass due to the fact that we have not had any recordable rain for four months and things are not looking good for our farmers. A bit of a warnig to anybody planning to take photos in the area mobile phones don't work here do don't rely on them also the area is a mecca for drug growers so stick to the main roads and be carefull if you need to approach a farm for help. Once I got my car boged on the side of the dirt road about 4km north of the loop and no cars would stop to give me assistance and most of these were 4wd with winches on the front so I walked back to the loop and a local farmer came and pulled me out with his tractor. As everybody knows not stoping to help in the country is unheard of so this gives you a good indication of the inbred dope growing paranoid loosers that live here. So if you go just be carefull.
2821 with 32 wagons in tow arrives at the loop at the same time as 3903 with 32 wagons from the south the 39 class loco took the loop and 2821 powered south without stoping.
1.03pm
2821 powers up the grade and past 3903 in the loop and continues its run south to Brisbane.
2845 with just 12 wagons roars up the grade to Beranjondo loop at 1.20 pm to cross with 3903.
After crossing two trains 3903 heads out of the loop to continue north at 1.28 pm.
The driver holds the train to keep the speed below 60 km/h for the curve then powers off once the last wagon has cleared.