The presentation Ulan Line, released back in 2006, covered coal operations by Pacific National (PacNat) twin and triple 90 Class and triple 82 Class on coal trains of 56 to 91 ‘batwing’ coal wagons in length to what was then the only colliery operating on this line, technically the Muswellbrook to Gulgong line, namely Ulan Colliery.
Today in 2018 on this line we have Aurizon, Genesee & Wyoming (G & W) as well as PacNat operating ‘batwing’ coal trains up to 96 wagons in length to five collieries, Bengalla, Mangoola, Wilpinjong, Moolarben and Ulan. Construction of an additional balloon loop at Bengalla suggests a six loading location will soon be in operation. In addition both Aurizon and PacNat have started to use distributed power (push-pull) operations on some of their coal trains, noticeably to Moolarben. We also see some Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) containerised ore operations on this line.
Locomotives seen in operation in this presentation include 442s, 48s, 49, 90, 92, 93, 600, 5000, 5020, 6000, 6020, C, CM, QBX, TT and XRN Class in the liveries of Aurizon, Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia (CFCLA), G&W, Engenco, PacNat, QUBE, SSR, and QR National (the last yet to be rebadged as Aurizon).
Approximate run time: 179 minutes.