Baal Bone Colliery is located on the Mudgee Line, about 25 Kilometres north of Wallerawang Junction, the location at which it branches from the main Western Line. The Mudgee Line was opened from the Wallerawang Junction to Capertree in 1882, and then Capertree to Mudgee in 1884. The 5 Kilometer long Baal Bone Branch (i.e. Baal Bone Junction to Baal Bone Balloon Loop) opened in 1981.
Baal Bone Colliery is the largest of the three Freight Corporation (now Pacific National) customers still using rail transport on the Mudgee Line, the other two being Charbon Colliery and Australian Cement. Coal from Baal Bone is hauled by rail to Port Kembla on the NSW South Coast, from where it is exported overseas.
In the early 1990’s, Baal Bone Coal operations were unit trains of 31 NHSH type 100 tonne coal wagons hauled by triple 80 class 2000 HP diesel-electric locomotives. In 1993, these consists were increased to 32 wagons, and by 1994, 81 or 82 class 3000 HP diesel-electric locomotives operating in pairs, or singularly with twin 80 Class, began to make regular appearances. In late 1995/early 1996, the 81/82 Class effectively took over all Mudgee Line traffic after the 80 Class were temporarily leased to National Rail, pending the arrival of their own NR Class 4000 HP diesel-electric locomotives.
This video traces the round trip operation of coal trains, empty from Lithgow Goods Yard to Baal Bone Colliery and full on the return trip, in the period 1991-1998. The line traverses some very picturesque countryside, and features gradients of up to 1 in 40 in both directions. The latter make for some great video clips of 80, 81 and 82 Class, particularly on the climb out of Baal Bone Colliery and on the steep pinch between Portland and Pipers Flat. A 2008 addendum updates viewers on recent changes to the Baal Bone operation, including quad 3000 HP 45 wagon coal trains powered by various combinations of 81,82,GL and G Class power.
Approximate run time: 80 minutes.