SCT011 & SCT014 Gunningbland NSW. Sat 01st Mar 2025

Just over one day late. SCT's 3PG1 intermodal service passes through the MSM Milling grain terminal site at Gunningbland in western NSW. Motive power for the train is EMD units SCT011 & SCT015.

The SCT consist is the usual PBHY "High Vans" plus PWXY and QQWY well wagons loaded with double stacked containers. Specialised Container Transport operates this service twice per week from their terminal at Goobang Junction West NSW.

The SCT class locomotives are EMD model GT46C-ACe with 15 built by Downer EDI Rail at Newcastle NSW between 2007 & 2008. Powered by a two stroke V16 turbo charged EMD 710G3C prime mover delivering 4,300hp, published track speed is 115KMh.

The SCT class are closely related to the Pacific National "TT" class and the former "Locomotive Demand Power" leasing company "LDP" class. The SCT class are equipped with "in-line" locomotive refuelling for the Trans Australia railway crossing over the Nullarbor Plain.

Not a great deal of rail activity takes place at Gunningbland siding these days. MSM Milling receive and send out grain by road transport, the terminal only receives canola, monola and barley. The 518 metre long Silo Siding is frequently used by ARTC to store track machines and ballast trains from time to time.

Gunningbland opened on the 15th of December 1896 and at the time, there was no town, the town followed the railway. A small one roomed school opened in 1906 and lasted until closure in 1995. The Post Office and general store opened in 1925 operated by Robert Gamble.

The concrete silos were opened in 1930 and served the town well until the large round steel silos were added in 1978 adding around 12,000 tonnes of extra storage capacity. GrainCorp closed the grain terminal down in 2013 then in 2024 MSM Milling, a part of the Manildra Group, took over the site.

Did you know? People often remark about the "High Vans" and could they be blown over by wind? Back on the 04th of December 2015 SCT's 5PM9 intermodal service derailed near Rawlinna WA during a severe storm. The train broke in two with 39 carriages either derailed or overturned.

The ATSB investigation found that the PBHY "High Cube" vans provided a large side surface area that was susceptible to high wind forces. A localised downdraught of cold air in the form of a "microburst" produced severe winds that were sufficient to blow over eight PBHY vans which were lightly loaded.

1517hrs on Saturday 01st of March 2025.