The Goldsworthy railway, owned and operated by BHP, was a private rail network in the Pilbara region of Western Australia built to carry iron ore. It is one of two railway lines BHP operates in the Pilbara, the other being the Mount Newman railway.Rail BHP
In addition to the BHP network, there are three more independent iron ore rail lines in the Pilbara. One is operated by Rio Tinto, the Hamersley & Robe River railway,Rail Rio Tinto the Fortescue Metals Group operates the Fortescue railway and Hancock Prospecting the Roy Hill railway.Railroad Operations Fortescue Metals Group
History
In May 1966, the 112 kilometre Goldsworthy railway opened to transport iron ore from Mount Goldsworthy mine to the port on Finucane Island.Mt Goldsworthy Mining Legacies The line was extended to Shay Gap in 1972 and Yarrie mine in 1993.Yarrie, Mt Goldsworthy, Nimingarra, Sunrise Hill, Shau Gap and Cundaline Porter GeoConsultants
On 1 March 1991, the Goldsworthy Mining and Mount Newman Mining were amalgamated under the BHP Iron Ore brand."Impressions of the Pilbara" Railway Digest February 1999 pages 18-27
In June 2004, the National Competition Council of Australia received an application from the Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) to use part of the Mount Newman railway and also part of the Goldsworthy railway.Application for declaration of the Mt Newman Railway National Competition Council of Australia
In June 2010, the Australian Competition Tribunal ruled that FMG be granted access to Rio Tinto's Robe River line and BHP Billiton's Goldsworthy line but not to the busier Hamersley and Mount Newman lines.Junior miners win limited access to Pilbara rail network lloydslistdcn.com.au, published: 1 July 2010, accessed: 4 November 2010Watchdog 'can demand Pilbara rail expansion' The Australian, published: 13 May 2010, accessed: 4 November 2010 Treasurer Wayne Swan suggested that several advantages would accrue from access to the rail lines by third parties. It would increase competition, reduce duplication of infrastructure, and reduce environmental damage. news.com.au published: 28 October 2008, accessed: 4 November 2010
Access to the rail networks by third parties is governed by the State Agreements Act.Report on Current Transport and Communications Infrastructure in the Pilbara Murdoch University, accessed: 4 November 2010
Operation The Goldsworthy railway is long, connecting the Yarrie mine to Finucane Island, near Port Hedland.
Unlike Mount Newman line trains, with up to 208 wagons per train, Goldsworthy line trains only have 90 wagons per train. Each wagon carries up to of ore.
Rolling stock In December 1965, Mount Goldsworthy Mining Co took delivery of two English Electric, Rocklea locomotives (no 1 & 2) to the same design as the Western Australian Government Railways H class. Initially used on construction trains, they were later used on general freight trains and shunting duties. One was written off in an accident in 1968 with some parts incorporated into a new frame built by English Electric in 1970.Goldsworthy Mining – Goldsworthy No 1 Pilbara Railways Historical Society
In 1966, the first of six English Electric, Rocklea built locomotives (no 3 to 8) to the same design as the Western Australian Government Railways K class. After one was damaged in 1968, a K class was purchased from the Western Australian Government Railways followed by another in July 1986. In November 1992 all were transferred to BHP's Port Kembla operation.Port Kembla – Diesel Locomotive Fleetlisting Light Rail Research Society of Australia By this stage, the infrastructure had been upgraded to allow GE Transportation 36-7 locomotives to take over the line.
In 1990, Clyde Engineering built GML10 was purchased. It was sold to Comalco in August 1994."Around Australia with R1004 and friends" Railway Digest April 2011 page 26
In March 2012, BHP Billiton placed an order for 80 Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACe/LCi locomotives for use on its Western Australia mining railroads.
References
External links BHP Pilbara Railways – rail enthusiast website