The Blackwater system 2021 | Queensland Trains

Watch Aurizon and Pacific National operate coal and intermodal trains on Aurizon's Blackwater System

[@Falkirion]

I have no idea how the algorithm threw this video at me but I'm glad it did. Saw a few of the locos I've worked on, spent the better part of 3 months between Aurizon's Jilalan and Callemondah yards working on upgrading the onboard systems on the 3700 and 3800s

[@kylegleeson8638]

Nice to hear! Is that in preparation them for the ETCS roll out?

[@Falkirion]

@@kylegleeson8638 Yep. Unsure with the state of the commissioning now I've left that job though

[@kylegleeson8638]

Cool, that's alright, I heard its supposed to go online next year, with any project there is teething problems

[@marklindownunder1755]

Great video. I work for PN on the blackwater line as a provisioner for there 7100 class locos in kabra.

[@Mrc_kidd20]

That is cool 😎

[@kylegleeson8638]

Glad you enjoyed it! Sadly, one of the things I didn't get to record much were the 71s. I've noticed there are a lot more diesels on the Blackwater compared to Goonyella; where you are flat out getting diesels, besides ORA.

[@josephchristianson3001]

Was looking for some "recent" CQ electric operations, and was not disappointed! Good narration, nice subtitles, and well thought out camera angles - thanks Kyle!

[@kylegleeson8638]

Glad you enjoyed it Joseph!

[@BrizzysTrains]

We’re we’re all the intermodal filmed because I showed my friend (jakes trains) and he said that wasn’t Blackwater (he’s probably wrong tho) so I was just wondering were it was

[@kylegleeson8638]

On the blackwater system...

[@MrBundyrumandcoke]

Never heard it called Boolburra Bank, its always just been Tunnel. Thats what the station at the top of the Gogo range is called. Thats Grantleigh to Tunnel section first up, then Edengalba.

[@kylegleeson8638]

Thanks for that, I couldn't find public sources explaining what the section was called

[@vek679]

Boolburra is after Edengalba heading west. Spent my early years at my grandparents home at Boolburra. Funnily enough I did load coal trains for 30 years at Goonyella/ Riverside coal mine till recently.

[@rickasheyelabs5662]

hey i work there over in the green shed.

[@kylegleeson8638]

Nice mate!

[@666plb]

A stroke of genius from anna bligh, sell QR National, it was making too much money.

[@kylegleeson8638]

It is a shame as QR was run well. There were lot more services prior to privatisation

[@666plb]

@@kylegleeson8638 I left the Railway Department in 1988, in that year they made $108 million profit, had 25000 on the payroll, and 10000 km of track.

[@kylegleeson8638]

That's incredible! thanks for sharing

[@steverob7637]

Anna Bligh sold off A portion of QR - and that became QR National.

[@rickasheyelabs5662]

@@kylegleeson8638 some QRNational drivers could disagree ive spoken to them and they reckon it was going to shit and aurizon was to carry on that shit.

[@aydoyt]

2nd loco on EF17 is 3816

[@kylegleeson8638]

thanks

[@paulsheward3325]

How many pairs of coal wagons are on the Blackwater system?

[@kylegleeson8638]

I'm not too certain, I'd say over 2,500

[@mando686]

The Blackwater system have 25 consist that travel to Golding every 24 hrs and the Goonyella system has about 35 - 40 consists that travel to Hay Point/Daly Bay every 24hrs, and the Newlands have about 10 - 15 consists that travel to Abbot Point. That's between Aurizon, PN, and BMA. Each consist have between 100-120 wagons depending on where they are going to unload and how many leads, remotes they have on them.

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Great video, informative too Kyle, however, found the intro music a little "full on", nice to see electric freight locomotives, Queensland is the last bastion for them, NSW once had 100 electric loco's but they are all gone now, except in preservation. Learnt a few things from your video, thank you Kyle, nice variation and production.

[@kylegleeson8638]

Thanks for your feedback Dave! It is a shame that electrification is limited. I don't mind a rootes blown two stroke though!

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

@@kylegleeson8638 Plenty of the old EMD's on my page Kyle, check them out for your dose of Rootes Aspired power...

[@philm8329]

Hey Kyle great videos mate your teaser video you put up first couldn't wait to see the real videos awesome work mate its a real pity the LRCs are gone. I was a acting Driver's Assistant in Bluff back in 1997 travelled to many mines and Dysart pitty I didn't have a digital camcorder at the time, all in all mate awesome work mate keep those awesome videos coming mate, by the way mate I will be in Townsville on next Tuesday between 1300 and 1700 for a couple days then head to Mt Isa driving hopefully get some awesome coverage like to catch if you are interested mate Phil. Thetrainman63

[@kylegleeson8638]

Hey Phil, that might work out, I've planned to go up North to get cane trains on the cassowary coast. My days off start on Tuesday.

[@philm8329]

@@kylegleeson8638 Hey Kyle I am in Townsville now mate I arrived today Tuesday hear till this Friday then head west to the Isa mate

[@kylegleeson8638]

@@philm8329 Ahh yea see how I go with work might be around tomorrow if I don't get called in

[@1960bobthebuilder]

Hey Kyle. Are you planning to gain visual access to the new Bowen rail locomotives anytime soon. ? If someone had told me they were arriving in Townsville the other day, I would have been down there in a flash. 4700 class apparently. I read somewhere that they have a horsepower rating of around 4500 hp. I would have thought That sort of power was unacheivable for diesel electrics in narrow gauge. I'd love to see some specs on them.

[@kylegleeson8638]

I am interested in getting them, they arrived in Townsville on Friday (24/09/21). Trying to find out when they run, will definitely go for a trip to the Newlands Sysytem then. They are a pain to look at.

[@1960bobthebuilder]

@@kylegleeson8638 No need to get too close and personal with the Newlands system. Every coal train heading to Abbott point runs beside the Bruce highway just north of Merinda. There is also a rail bridge over the highway at Merinda. All of these new locos can be viewed from these two places...when they are up and running. Merinda is near Pring...the existing Aurizon depot.

[@kylegleeson8638]

@@1960bobthebuilder Its something I'd like to do, there are more spots to access with the sun being at suitable angles. From what I've heard, a few rail photographers will likely venture out near Collinsville to get them

[@steverob7637]

Why? The ELs have a similar HP rating.

[@MrBundyrumandcoke]

There are no mines in the Blackwater system that dont have OHLE to them. The last, Minerva, apparently has closed, with their last shipment by rail, via PN, happening a few days ago. The Moura system is not electrified. The diesel hauled trains under the wires is simply a utilisation of assets that would not be working if not needed in the Moura system.

[@shcdoodle1]

Gotta love bullzye

[@kylegleeson8638]

Yea I gotta get some more from them! They've got nice designs

[@HarrysTrains]

Very good

[@kylegleeson8638]

Thank you!