This presentation reviews the changes to coal train operation in the Hunter Valley since the presentations ‘What’s New In NSW Coal 2011’, and the even earlier ‘Quads to Pelton’ in 2007 and ‘Hunter Heavies’ back in 2002.
We commence in the Port Waratah/Kooragang Island area and work our way north as far as Singleton, viewing action at the Maitland Steamfest in April 2013, the new ‘Up Relief’ tracks between Greta and Rutherford and Whittingham and Minimbah, and the longer coal trains which ARTC has now approved because of the more favourable grades of the ‘Up Relief’ tracks compared to the main line.
Locomotive classes seen in action include 31T, 32, 36, 43, 442, 45, 5000, 5020. 81, 82, 90, 92, 5000, 5020, EL, CF, NR, LDP, TT and XRN in the liveries of NSWGR, CFCLA, PacNat, QR National/Aurizon, and Xstrata Rail, whilst passenger traffic includes XPT, Explorer, Endeavour, Rail Motors and locomotive hauled passenger cars in the liveries of CountryLink, CityRail and former NSWGR colours
Approximate run time: 89 minutes.