The project to build overhead power lines on the central coal lines was concived to save money on fuel and reduce costs. The existing trains were diesel hauled with two on the front and three in the middle controlled via a remote wagon that trailed the locos in the train. It was the draw bar load limit that dictated the use of locos mid train rather than any operating requirement due to grades ect. Once the project was completed in the late 80's the new trains used only four locos for the same load. The government of the day also decided that the North Coast Line was also to be electrafied from Brisbane to Rockhampton to achieve the same cost reductions but only recently with the completion of several major re-alignment projects has this line realised its full potential. Electric locos can be seen on almost all types of trains including passenger, coal , livestock, freight and grain .
A 39 class loco heads a short freight around the curve and up the grade just past Marmor with a load of concrete power poles and containers. The poles are spaced with empty flats due to the overhang of the poles
April 2000
3528 with a coal triain from Gladstone heading to the coal mines on the Central Line. The train is about to pass Archer about 15 km south of Rockhampton heading north. Typical coal trains on this line have two electric locos on the front and two more in the middle.
Friday 8/9/00
3524 on a section of single track on the Central Line some 70 km west from Rockhampton.
3.30pm 10/05/00
3928 with a stock train containing cattle and horses heading south over the Boyne River on the North Coast Line just south of the crossing loop at Benaraby. This section of line to Inverah has been the focus of a deviation project with several major earthworks a bridge replacement and the elimination of a crossing loop at Rodds Harbour. When I was a kid living on a tropical fruit farm I would help load mangos on the friut train at Benaraby station . The train was the fastest freight on the line and quite often there were live mudcrabs wraped in hessian bags in the guards van. The station was the first to be replaced by CTC signaling and now all that remains on the site is a demountable signal relay box.
13/08/99 Friday 7.10am
Speeding towards Gladstone at Rodds Harbour 3917 and a sister unit with 29 wagons about 25 km south of the city.
3.50pm Tuesday 7/9/99
After being overtaken by the tilt train at Inverah loop 3912 is pulling its train out of the loop and passing under the Bruce Hiway back behind the trees heading north. The loop at Inverah is about 35 km south of Gladstone.
7/4/99 4.25pm