OneSteel Whyalla Tramway - Iron Ore on the Narrow Gauge: Australian Trains

The OneSteel (formerly BHP) 3'6" gauge system dates back to 1901 when the line was opened to Iron Knob to transport ore from the mine there back to Whyalla. A branch line was constructed in 1930 to Iron Baron and then extended to Iron Duke in 1990. The line from Middleback Junction to Iron Knob is now out of use with the closure of the mine in 1998, but the line to Iron Duke sees multiple train movements per day. Rail operations have now been contracted out to Genesee & Wyoming Australia who run the line with a mixture of former BHP DE locomotives (rebuilt in the 90's by Morrison Knudsen), Alco DA/900 class locos (driver only 830's) and CK locomotives (formerly Victorian T class Clyde/GM diesels) Rail action in this video was filmed on Tuesday 5 October 2010 and begins with shunting operations near the steel works at Whyalla. Several empty trains are then followed out along the line before finally capturing a loaded train departing Middleback Junction right on sunset Shunting around Whyalla 0:00 1303 - 904 Whyalla to Middleback Junction 4:10 1303 - 904 Middleback Junction 5:35 CK3 - 1302 - CK4 Norrie Avenue, Whyalla 6:17 CK3 - 1302 - CK4 13 mile marker 7:29 CK3 - 1302 - CK4 Whyalla to Kimba Rd in the Middleback Ranges 8:44 1304 - 902 powering away from Whyalla 9:22 1304 - 902 between Whyalla and Middleback Junction 10:20 904 - 1303 depart Middleback Junction after a cross 11:19 © 2010 James Brook