Today's 4BM9 spotted in the NSW southern highlands was a pretty full load of around 60/65 individual wagons or container platforms within a multi platform set.  I do not think I miscounted there but the overall impression of the length of the train had me doubting it as it just did not seem to be quite that long compared to some of the other 1500 meter efforts I see.  Either way it was a fair lump of train!

It utilised CSR010, CSR 007, & CSR 002 and it would be fair to say it was not exactly struggling on the long 1 in 75 grades managing a bit over 70kph at one point where road and rail co-incide.

There were three Aurizon containers in the loading.

Here's another thought (bubble), there were pics around a few weeks ago claiming to show a transfer of Aurizon containers to SCT Laverton which I and others have presumed was Aurizon loading but with AZJ exiting Inter modal is it possible that they the containers have been sold to SCT?

BG

Here's another thought (bubble), there were pics around a few weeks ago claiming to show a transfer of Aurizon containers to SCT Laverton which I and others have presumed was Aurizon loading but with AZJ exiting Inter modal is it possible that they the containers have been sold to SCT?

BG

a) The above
b) the containers are owned by a leasing company, but branded Aurizon
c) the containers have been sold to a leasing company
d) the containers have been sold to the company whose freight is carried in them
e) Aurizon still owns them, but as they reduce services they are consigning some freight to SCT during the transition period and final ownership is yet to be determined

There are probably one or two scenarios I've missed

Here is an observation:

SCT is an intermodal rail carrier that hasn't done much in bulk.
Aurizon is a bulk carrier that has hasn't done much in intermodal.

Ponder that.

Today's 4BM9 spotted in the NSW southern highlands was a pretty full load of around 60/65 individual wagons or container platforms within a multi platform set.  I do not think I miscounted there but the overall impression of the length of the train had me doubting it as it just did not seem to be quite that long compared to some of the other 1500 meter efforts I see.  Either way it was a fair lump of train!

It utilised CSR010, CSR 007, & CSR 002 and it would be fair to say it was not exactly struggling on the long 1 in 75 grades managing a bit over 70kph at one point where road and rail co-incide.

There were three Aurizon containers in the loading.

There is a good chance that many of the boxes and wagons that you saw were empty. I believe that in ANR days, there was a large imbalance between east bound and west bound tonnages. This may also occur today on north-south services. The other possibility is that the tonnage only required 2 locos, but 1 was added for "insurance".

Here is an observation:

SCT is an intermodal rail carrier that hasn't done much in bulk.
Aurizon is a bulk carrier that has hasn't done much in intermodal.

Ponder that.

I'm pondering. I see no flaws in your observation but I haven't had a light-bulb moment either. Why don't you make it easy for us.

I know its a different operator, but the shift of business away from Aurizon as it winds down to both SCT and PN is well and truly underway as I commented elsewhere.   Last night at North Dynon at 7.30PM which is a peak day for rail traffic, the Aurizon Depot was closed.    QUBE were busy loading boxes at a huge rate and then across the road PN was under enormous pressure in a way I hadn't seen before.   Their yard was gummed up in despatching an intermodal that was so long that it had blocked the entry into the yard from the Melbourne end resulting in an empty broad gauge steelie waiting out at North Melbourne, the Class 81 shunter also locked out and an inbound loaded steelie also staged out at Tottenham.  This intermodal was the longest I have ever seen in PN's depot and it had also blocked the inbound XPT for an extended period as well.

When I cam back an hour so later as part of my evening walk the yard had become fluid again but three outbound intermodals were all under load, the inbound steel was waiting to be unloaded as was the outybound BG steel waiting to load.  

PN and SCT will be benefitting enormously I imagine but nonetheless the Australian rail industry will still have suffered in the loss of an operator at a time when the there has been the beginnings of a resurgance for rail.

It will be interesting how much of Aurizon's fleet particularly wagons are picked up by both PN and SCT.   PN still has quite a bit of older equipment that could be replaced or at least supplemented by picking out the best of Aurizon's equipment.

Aurizon intermodal doesn't own the wagons nor do they own the yellow boxes they use for the woolsworth contract.
SCT has now got the Woolworths contract from aurizon.
In total 15 five packs were delievered to SCT over a three week period plus aurizon painted yellow boxes to continue the contract with Woolworths.

Train planner

There's no 5mp1 on a Thursday anymore that's why the yard was quiet, though 5mb7 still went out earlier.

All aurizon 6000,6020 and 6040 class loco are going to Newcastle, LDP's going back to home to downer( I did hear a rumour that SCT were interested)
The rest of aurizon wagons will go back cfcla and sell their old ones to Qube except their qqdy,qqwy and qqby.

With Aurizon (never warmed up to this name)withdrawing from interstate intermodal traffic ,what future for North Dynon Yard?
QUBE is the other tenant.

edward

With Aurizon (never warmed up to this name)withdrawing from interstate intermodal traffic ,what future for North Dynon Yard?
QUBE is the other tenant.

edward

Interesting question, as I have posted elsewhere North Dynon has been undergoing extensive renovation and expansion over the past few months (work still going). I initially thought the work was for Qube then as they got near completion Aurizon started stabling some stuff there and now with AZJ moving on I have no idea!

BG

With Aurizon (never warmed up to this name)withdrawing from interstate intermodal traffic ,what future for North Dynon Yard?
QUBE is the other tenant.

edward

Interesting question, as I have posted elsewhere North Dynon has been undergoing extensive renovation and expansion over the past few months (work still going). I initially thought the work was for Qube then as they got near completion Aurizon started stabling some stuff there and now with AZJ moving on I have no idea!

BG

As I understand it, the work is now complete.

The three roads in question have all been moved southwards so that the high voltage transmission lines can be moved for the north side of the rail reservation to the south.

The only additional work I have seen is a short (less than 50m) spur line towards to the asphalt tarmac on the eastern side of the paper shed.

Hi Sam, I have been watching these works with great interest over the last few months from the window of a passing Vlocity (as I'm sure you have). From what I can see the works involved quite a bit of work, they have definitely moved the yard South by cutting into the Hardstand area but it also involved relaying all track with new sleepers.

There are now 5 roads of varying lengths (I thought there were less before they started the work but happy to be corrected) and they have been working more recently right back towards Lloyd St which I thought involved extending / a new second track which seems to be to allow longer trains to arrive and depart from this area (north of the old Paper sheds)

Whatever has been done it has not been done on the cheap and this now seems to be a high quality yard, it will be interesting to see who uses it and for what!

BG

Hi Sam, I have been watching these works with great interest over the last few months from the window of a passing Vlocity (as I'm sure you have). From what I can see the works involved quite a bit of work, they have definitely moved the yard South by cutting into the Hardstand area but it also involved relaying all track with new sleepers.

There are now 5 roads of varying lengths (I thought there were less before they started the work but happy to be corrected) and they have been working more recently right back towards Lloyd St which I thought involved extending / a new second track which seems to be to allow longer trains to arrive and depart from this area (north of the old Paper sheds)

Whatever has been done it has not been done on the cheap and this now seems to be a high quality yard, it will be interesting to see who uses it and for what!

BG

True, I have been watching as I pass through on my daily Geelong services.

I have tried to find some track diagrams via Google but no luck so far.




Agree there has been a lot of money spent here. Surprised they didn't use concrete sleepers however.

Let's hope it leads to more freight on to rails and off the roads!

Are these diagrams helpful?

http://www.artc.com.au/uploads/OGW-30-04_Diagram.pdf

Thanks FredLovesTrains.   Last night as further update, a stack of empty wagons on the roads immediately adjacent to Dynon Road have gone, and there was just a small rake of 12 or loaded flats with the entire yard completely empty.  Loco 42206 was the ionly unit on that side but as I was walking I wasn't able to see what was on the north side of north dynon

This morning there is what looks like the Qube  (black) grain rake stabled at North Dynon in the Aurizon yard south of the Paper shed.

I have not seen this before, has anyone else?

BG

The BLACK grain fleet is SSR broad gauge.   Yesterday (Sunday evening) QUBE's grain fleet of BG hoppers was there.

This morning there is what looks like the Qube  (black) grain rake stabled at North Dynon in the Aurizon yard south of the Paper shed.

I have not seen this before, has anyone else?

BG

An SSR rake of grain hoppers was stabled at Kensington on Sunday 19/11 together with S 317 and two T class locos.

The rake consisted of about 10 x BGKF and 10 x BGGX plus one 'black' (NGMF) hopper.

The BLACK grain fleet is SSR broad gauge.   Yesterday (Sunday evening) QUBE's grain fleet of BG hoppers was there.

Do SSR lay their wagons over at Totty or in Melbourne Yard arrivals?

The BLACK grain fleet is SSR broad gauge.   Yesterday (Sunday evening) QUBE's grain fleet of BG hoppers was there.

Do SSR lay their wagons over at Totty or in Melbourne Yard arrivals?

They remain at Kensington.

The train departed Kenso early yesterday evening and is now loading at Manangatang.

The BLACK grain fleet is SSR broad gauge.   Yesterday (Sunday evening) QUBE's grain fleet of BG hoppers was there.

The one I saw this am at North Dynon was the Qube rake (not the Shiny Black SSR one but the faded Black with Graffiti over some of the lower parts one (I can never remember if Qube own this rake or if they are the AWB ones)

BG

That QUBE rake has recommenced operations.

Is this train from Brisbane or a transfer from Wodonga?

https://www.railpage.com.au/railcams/albion2/photo/37798681885

Has two locos running on the front CSR and SCT.

A bit of a guide is if the In-Line refuelling unit is attached immediately behind the locos.