Goldsworthy railway line
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mining rail transport |
| Founded | May 1966 |
| Founder | Mount Goldsworthy Mining Co |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Pilbara, Western Australia |
| Products | Iron ore transport |
| Owner | BHP |
The Goldsworthy railway, a privately owned rail system managed by BHP, operates within the Pilbara area of Western Australia. This line was specifically constructed to facilitate the movement of iron ore. It represents one of BHP's two railways in the Pilbara, the other being the Mount Newman railway.
In addition to BHP's rail infrastructure, the Pilbara region hosts three other independent iron ore rail networks: Rio Tinto's Hamersley & Robe River railway, the Fortescue railway operated by Fortescue Metals Group, and the Roy Hill railway owned by Hancock Prospecting.
History
Commissioned in May 1966, the Goldsworthy railway initially covered 112 kilometres, connecting the Mount Goldsworthy mine to a port facility located on Finucane Island. The route was later extended, reaching Shay Gap in 1972 and further expanding to include the Yarrie mine by 1993.
On 1 March 1991, a merger between Goldsworthy Mining and Mount Newman Mining resulted in their consolidation under the BHP Iron Ore brand.
In June 2004, an application was submitted to the National Competition Council of Australia by Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), requesting access rights to segments of both the Mount Newman and Goldsworthy rail lines.
By June 2010, the Australian Competition Tribunal approved FMG’s access to Rio Tinto's Robe River railway and BHP Billiton's Goldsworthy line but rejected access requests for the more heavily trafficked Hamersley and Mount Newman routes. Treasurer Wayne Swan emphasized that permitting third-party use of these rail corridors would foster competitive markets, minimize redundant infrastructure development, and reduce environmental footprints.
The regulation of access to these railways falls under provisions outlined in the State Agreements Act.
Operation
Extending over , the Goldsworthy railway connects the Yarrie mine with port facilities on Finucane Island, near Port Hedland. Unlike trains on the Mount Newman line, which can haul up to 208 wagons, trains operating on the Goldsworthy route typically consist of 90 wagons, each loaded with up to of iron ore.
Rolling stock
In December 1965, Mount Goldsworthy Mining Co acquired two locomotives from English Electric’s Rocklea facility (units numbered 1 and 2), designed based on the WAGR H class. Initially intended for construction activities, these units were later assigned to general freight transport and shunting duties. One locomotive was decommissioned in 1968, with its components repurposed into a new frame constructed by English Electric in 1970.
Beginning in 1966, six more English Electric Rocklea locomotives (numbers 3 through 8), modeled after the WAGR K class, were introduced. Following damage sustained by one unit in 1968, BHP acquired two additional WAGR K class locomotives, including one purchased in July 1986. By November 1992, all these locomotives had been relocated to BHP’s operations at Port Kembla. Infrastructure improvements allowed deployment of GE Transportation 36-7 model locomotives on this line.
In 1990, a GML10 locomotive built by Clyde Engineering was procured but subsequently sold to Comalco in August 1994.
In March 2012, BHP Billiton placed an order for 80 SD70ACe/LCi locomotives from Electro-Motive Diesel, aimed at strengthening its heavy haul rail fleet servicing Western Australia’s mining operations.
External links
- BHP
- Pilbara Railways – website dedicated to rail enthusiasts