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bulldozed
Assistant Commissioner
Joined: Jul 05, 2007
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:39 am
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I witnessed the shunting operation out to Swanbank power station the other day for the first time...  I couldn't believe the length of the train, being shunted backward across Brisbane Road (and for that length of track, through that number of level crossings and sharp turns). Is the normal way of operating (coal train runs forward to Bundamba from the west, 'backs up' all the way)? Is there a guard at the end wagon or something?
Ethan's Models
Specializing in Australian N Scale, and model rail-specific contract drafting.
Do you want to see QR 'N Scale' gear? |
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RTT_Rules
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Gladstone Qld
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:01 pm
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| bulldozed wrote: | | I witnessed the shunting operation out to Swanbank power station the other day for the first time... I couldn't believe the length of the train, being shunted backward across Brisbane Road (and for that length of track, through that number of level crossings and sharp turns). Is the normal way of operating (coal train runs forward to Bundamba from the west, 'backs up' all the way)? Is there a guard at the end wagon or something? |
Not sure on this one, probably normal and I believe they are required to have someone at the front.
On a similar note, a former station master from the northern Bowen Basin told me before they outfitted balloon loops to every mine, a number required the Bowen Basin length coalies to reverse into Y's to turn around as the trains must unload facing forward. Not sure how far they had to reverse to just get to the Y.
Regards
Shane
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Graham4405
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jun 07, 2005
Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
Location: Dalby, where it (almost) NEVER rains...
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:49 pm
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The normal procedure for Swanbank trains is to attach a pair of locos (2300s are the norm) to the rear of the train. thus the train has two locos at either end for the manoeuvre. The new pair of locos takes the train back up the hill leaving the original locos behind.
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maddog
Train Controller
Joined: Jun 28, 2006
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: washing the mail
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:50 pm
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| Quote: | | I witnessed the shunting operation out to Swanbank power station the other day for the first time... I couldn't believe the length of the train, being shunted backward across Brisbane Road (and for that length of track, through that number of level crossings and sharp turns). Is the normal way of operating (coal train runs forward to Bundamba from the west, 'backs up' all the way)? Is there a guard at the end wagon or something? |
did you see the entire train ?
in pervious sightings this train had locomotives both ends
from sighting notes :-
1-8-2006 9:10 am 2330 + 2333 + coal wagons Thangoona loaded coal dn
1-8-2006 11:00am 2330 + 2333 + coal wagons + 2373 + 2360 swanbank powerhouse unloading area unloading 2333 just short of the pit bridge
1-8-2006 11:32am 2330 + 2333 + coal wagons (empty) + 2373 + 2360 boxflat dn
1-8-2006 12:02pm 2330 + 2333 + coal wagons (empty) + 2373 + 2360 bundamba tressel bridge dn
1-8-2006 13:30pm 2373 + 2360 coal wagons (empty) Walloon up
1-8-2006 16:00pm 2330 + 2333 le Redbank LMD
hope this helps
cheers
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bulldozed
Assistant Commissioner
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Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:48 pm
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 I couldn't see the front of the train, I was 'chasing' in my car, and wasn't able to get ahead. I was confused by the fact that the 'trailing' locos were indeed under power! That makes a heck of a lot more sense.
Ethan's Models
Specializing in Australian N Scale, and model rail-specific contract drafting.
Do you want to see QR 'N Scale' gear? |
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alantrains
Locomotive Driver
Joined: Apr 30, 2006
Last Visited: Nov 27, 2008
Location: Brisbane Qld
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Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:30 pm
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Hi Bulldozed,
As others have said there are usually locos at both ends of the Swanbank coalie. Here's a movie I made recently showing the road crossing at Mary St then the main line change of direction. usually the trailing locos are running but not powering the train. two crews are used, one with their feet up.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/video/3052968030038737849vDEESP?vhost=outdoors
cheers
Alan J in Sunny Qld
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RTT_Rules
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
Last Visited: Nov 30, 2008
Location: Gladstone Qld
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 5:41 am
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| alantrains wrote: | Hi Bulldozed,
As others have said there are usually locos at both ends of the Swanbank coalie. Here's a movie I made recently showing the road crossing at Mary St then the main line change of direction. usually the trailing locos are running but not powering the train. two crews are used, one with their feet up.
http://outdoors.webshots.com/video/3052968030038737849vDEESP?vhost=outdoors
cheers |
Compared to the CQ coal stations unloading, this all does seem a bit cumbersom, ie 2 lots of locos and crews. I wonder if QR has thought of having locos at end (using wireless control so both power, slug style) for normal service and the crew simply walks from one end to the other. Potentially you need 3 locos if a single one at each end is not suited. Maybe get buy with a 1720 at the tail?
Couple of examples of similar operations
- PNT cement train, powered loco at loaded end of train, non-powered cab only loco at empty end. DOO driven and unloaded using portable remote.
- In Seatle I saw a long grain train with 4 locos, two at each end, all powering
- I think the former container shuttle in Sydney from Botany to Yenora?
Regards
Shane
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bulldozed
Assistant Commissioner
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Last Visited: Dec 1, 2008
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:07 am
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I'd have thought taking the rake to Dinmore, taking the locos to the opposite end of the train, running loco leading to the unloader, back around the balloon loop, back to Dinmore to run around would save a bit of work 
Ethan's Models
Specializing in Australian N Scale, and model rail-specific contract drafting.
Do you want to see QR 'N Scale' gear? |
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RTT_Rules
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jun 23, 2004
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Location: Gladstone Qld
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:05 pm
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| bulldozed wrote: | | I'd have thought taking the rake to Dinmore, taking the locos to the opposite end of the train, running loco leading to the unloader, back around the balloon loop, back to Dinmore to run around would save a bit of work |
Maybe there is a method in their madness. ie what happens to the orginal lead locos once the train has been emptied and returned to the junction?
regards
Shane
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bulldozed
Assistant Commissioner
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 3:24 pm
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Prior to making this thread, I was under the impression that all of the 'coal roster' 2300's were based at Toowoomba/Harlaxton... although returning to Redbank makes sense.
Ethan's Models
Specializing in Australian N Scale, and model rail-specific contract drafting.
Do you want to see QR 'N Scale' gear? |
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Graham4405
Chief Commissioner
Joined: Jun 07, 2005
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Location: Dalby, where it (almost) NEVER rains...
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Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 7:35 pm
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I knew I had the information somewhere...
A Swanbank coalie works in push-pull mode on the Swanbank branch. The procedure, from what I can gather is something like this:
- Loaded coalie with locos from Jondaryan/Macalister proceeds Down to Wulkuraka, (lets call these locos [A]).
- Another pair of locos, from Redbank are attached, (lets call these [B]).
- Train is then pulled by [B] in the up direction, goes onto the Swanbank branch and through the unloading.
- Empty Train is pulled by [A] off the branch in the Down direction.
- [A] locos are detached, and then go to Redbank.
- [B] locos take the train on it's empty trip back to Macalister/Jondaryan.
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Trainboy
Deputy Commissioner
Joined: May 13, 2005
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 6:51 pm
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There are several reasons for this shunt.
First, QR does not have access to all of the Swanbank Loop. This means that they cannot turn the train on the loop. There are no run around facilities at Swanbank, hence trailing locos are necessary.
Second, the rake of wagons would be effectively turned around every time if the loop was used. I believe the unloading mechanism at Swanbank is direction specific; shunting the train means that the wagons are always pointed the right direction (this has to do with the Direction of Travel arrows on coal wagons -they are used to ensure that the train can be unloaded with the Kwik Drop doors).
Hope this sorts some things out
Cheers
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petey3801
Chief Commissioner
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:13 pm
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The train also has to reverse at Bundamba, as the entry to the Swanbank/Box Flat line is not a Y configuration. Trains can only access the branch from the Brisbane side of the junction at Bundamba station.
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RTT_Rules
Chief Commissioner
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:10 pm
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| Trainboy wrote: | There are several reasons for this shunt.
First, QR does not have access to all of the Swanbank Loop. This means that they cannot turn the train on the loop. There are no run around facilities at Swanbank, hence trailing locos are necessary.
Second, the rake of wagons would be effectively turned around every time if the loop was used. I believe the unloading mechanism at Swanbank is direction specific; shunting the train means that the wagons are always pointed the right direction (this has to do with the Direction of Travel arrows on coal wagons -they are used to ensure that the train can be unloaded with the Kwik Drop doors).
Hope this sorts some things out
Cheers |
Thanks guys, now all makes sense.
But can you explain this line further?
"First, QR does not have access to all of the Swanbank Loop. "
Regards
Shane
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Graham4405
Chief Commissioner
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Location: Dalby, where it (almost) NEVER rains...
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:46 pm
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| RTT_Rules wrote: | But can you explain this line further?
"First, QR does not have access to all of the Swanbank Loop." |
Quoted from elsewhere:
"The main reason is that it doesn't suit QRN's current operation to use the whole loop."
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