The woodchip train runs from just south of the town of Maryborough to the port of Gladstone a distance of about 260 km one way.
The woodchip train was usualy hauled by one or two electric 3900 class locos but recently diesels of the rebuilt 2300 class have taken over the duties. Because woodchip has a high voulume to weight the wagons used to transport it have had high galvinised sides added. The trains are usually driven by crews from Maryborough, unloaded by Gladstone crews and after a break driven back by the Maryborough crews.
After unloading at the Auckland Point loop the chippy has been stored in the yard waiting to return south. The locos have been serviced and shut down next to a loaded ballast train with two 1720 class locos on the front.
Tuesday 20/11/01 10.20 pm
2353+2170F
The Auckland Point wharf complex was the first of a series of modern port facilities in Gladstone. The woodchip stockpile was the original bulk coal loading facility. This was then superceeded by the Barney Point facility. The wharf can been seen to the right of the picture . Auckland Point also handles Grain, General cargo, containers and Fuel.
2353 + 2170F head the woodchip train north to Gladstone on Thursday 20/11/01 at 5.18 pm.