BHP Iron Ore trains, heaviest in the world. Pilbara, Western Australia

Way out in the Pilbara region in the north of Western Australia, BHP operate a network of iron ore mines, processing facilities, and port facilities. A rail network with over 1000 kilometres (600 miles) of track connects these facilities around the town of Newman with the ports at Port Hedland.

), they are likely the heaviest at around 42,000-43,000 tonnes per train. They are also some of the longest at just under 3000 metres (1.85 miles) each.

These trains operate with four EMD SD70ACe locomotives, two at the head end and two more mid train in Distributive Power mode, and with Electro Pneumatic brakes.

By my calculations they carry about 32,000 tonnes of iron ore (net), and with the spot price currently around USD100 per tonne they're carrying about USD3.2m of product per trip.

I will have a part 2 of this video that will have the trains on the steep grades around the Chichester and Hamersley ranges.

01:00 - Tabba, two trains meet on the flat lands 50km south of Port Hedland
06:15 - Turner, 110km south of Port Hedland
10:00 - Abydos, some moderate hills start against empty trains about 130km from Port Hedland
12:50 - Spring, a loaded train descends easing grades about 180km south of the ports

[bradcook]

Thanks my Son drives these trains for BHP, great to see them in operation. Thanks

[kelstra]

I find it incredible that just four locos can haul something so enormous

[ianmccluskey]

I saw one of these 53 years ago. It took me just over an 3/4 hour (Dirt roads back then) to pass this thing. I am amazed that in 2020, I'm very glad to see that they're still very much operational.

[mikefleming]

I worked at the London Ontario Canada shop that built these units. They were monsters.

[markj.]

Holy crap that gave me goosebumps thinking about how much kinetic energy that has!

[andreasantoalioto]

I am a geologist in Italy. Famosi that pilbara iron ore for make pellets. Great video.

[Bass_Gans]

The sound of those wagons give me goosebumbs😂

[krdcountrytv]

Great to see this often forgotten part of Australian railroading. I'll get there one day!

[jamesduff]

amazing footage.. thank you for sharing this.

[timw]

That's a very heavy product , not a bad show 👍👍

[anthony]

Interesting to see that the bells stop when the barrier arms are not moving
Your channel deserves more subscribers, I've subscribed after watching only this video.
Anthony.

[gmv]

What gets me is how quiet the EMDs are, I was at the rail crossing about 70 kms north of Auski on the Roy Hill road last month and you can hardly hear the engines. Compare that to Rio’s GEs that you can hear for miles, they don’t seem to have much muffling at all.

[kelvinpalattao]

The last rail was 135 in total so amazing.

[anilsagar]

This is the longest train I have ever seen.

[GabrielEduardo-rbxw]

Loved your video! I am really big fan of those railroads in the Pilbara region.

[Gio-ueps]

I luckily bought some stock in Bhp, Rio, & Fcx. Metal prices are really starting to rally here.

[michaelhayden]

Given the length of this train you would not want to get caught at on the level crossings, you could be there for 10 or 15 minutes

[yabbadabbadoo]

How many dudes with spades does it take to fill that lot?

[randallmacdonald]

So, how to I explain to people that I watched this entire video and I'm not obsessed? (Well, okay, I'm obsessed.)

[chrisstaylor]

Saw the first train into Paraburdoo, we had a party