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The first eight locomotives of a total of 19
locomotives being manufactured for T155
have departed the US bound for Port Hedland.
Seen here is the loading of the first locomotive
at the port at Norkfolk, Virginia.
T155: Rail Expansion
Fortescue is increasing the capacity of its rail network by:
• duplicating 120 kilometres of railway (mainline)
between the Chichester Hub and Port Hedland
• constructing a new 130 kilometre rail spur from the
mainline to Solomon
• building four bridges
• constructing two new rail loops at the Herb Elliott Port
• increasing rail maintenance capacity including the
Pilbara’s first automated wheel shop.
The project also includes the construction of a bridge
on the Great Northern Highway where the Fortescue rail
line crosses the highway. Work has started on the bridge,
which will minimise the disruption of ore-carrying trains
on road traffic.
The rail fleet is being increased by 1,764 ore cars (to
3,000) and 19 locomotives (to 43) to achieve the 155mtpa
production target. With the additions to the fleet, train
movements will increase from the current level of six per
day to 13 trains a day.
KEY TARGETS:
August 2012 - arrival of first eight locomotives
November 2012 - New Solomon spur completed
February 2013 - Rail Expansion project completed
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T155: Port Expansion
To support an increase in iron ore production, Fortescue’s
Herb Elliott Port at Port Hedland is being expanded to
include:
• a second and third train unloader
• a third stacker
• a second and third reclaimer
• a third and fourth shiploading berth (AP3 - completed
- and AP4)
• a second and third shiploader.
The Port Expansion notched up a major milestone with the
official opening of the third shiploading berth on 25 May
(see pages 8 and 9). Port Expansion Project Director, Peter
Thomas, has praised the efforts of the team delivering the
project.
“The introduction of AP3 has been marked by a rapid
ramp-up and a smooth transition into operation. This
good work is being extended to the construction of AP4
with more than half of the piling work already completed,”
said Peter.
Other recent achievements include the completion of
the rail bridge over BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s railway, the
successful lifting into place of the two massive train
unloader cells, and the arrival of the third reclaimer.
KEY TARGETS:
September 2012 - second train unloader completed
February 2013 - AP4 completed
Construction of transfer
station 906, which is
part of the second
inloading circuit, taken
on 21 June.