100 Wagon Test Train

On Saturday June 18th, 2016 SSR trialled a 100 wagon coal train with distributed motive power. The consist ran as 2 x CEY’s, 50 PHTH, 3 x CEY’s, 50 PHTH, 2 x CEY’s, and departed Lithgow for Airly at 08.30. Total length was 1769 metres with a loaded weight of 10000 tonnes. Running as AR02, the train departed Airly at around 15.30, waited at Wallerawang for the up XPT and then ran through the Sydney metro area late that night bound for Newcastle. This was the first time a train of this weight has travelled through the Sydney network. Here’s some video of the train making its way out to Airly, loading, and then heading back through Sydney. Thanks to Centennial for granting permission to access the balloon loop at Airly to record the loading process. That was the only location where it was possible to capture scenes where all three sets of locos were visible.