Heaviest trains

The heaviest trains in the world are freight trains hauling bulk commodities such as coal and iron ore. One might distinguish between regular operations, and occasional record breaking runs. One might also distinguish between the total weight of the locomotives and its train of wagons, and the total payload.

Australia

Coal

* Queensland Railways - mid train locomotives.

Iron Ore

* BHP Billiton [ [http://www.railpage.com.au/f-t11341466.htm Heaviest trains in World/Australia/State? - Railpage Australia™ Forums (General) ] ]
* Rio
* Fortescue Metals Group - 32,320T (gross weight excluding locomotives)

General Cargo

* SCT freighter from Parkes to Perth, June 2008, 6,000T and 1800m/ (crossing loops are 1800m)

Brazil

* Vale [ [http://www.secinfo.com/d12atd.23E3.htm SEC Info - Companhia Vale do Rio Doce - 6-K - For 5/20/03 ] ] [ [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-132800587.html Vitoria a Minas EFV ] ]

Mauritania

* Iron Ore

Russia

On Russian railways, trains can be up to 6000 tonnes. Russia uses special SA3 couplers allowing higher weight.

Scandinavia

* Malmbanan from Kiruna, Sweden to Narvik, Norway hauls iron ore trains with IORE locomotives-—the most powerful in the world - 8000T. Special SA3 couplers are used.

South Africa

Coal

Iron ore

* Sishen (mine) to Saldanha Bay (port) - 22,300T [ [http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=120999 SA features prominently in history of rail transport ] ]

Record breaking runs

* South Africa [ [http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?a_id=120999 SA features prominently in history of rail transport ] ] (gross and payload not mentioned)

See also

* Transport in Australia
* Transport in Brazil
* Transport in South Africa
* Longest trains
* Minimum railway curve radius

Technical aspects

* Axleloads up to 40T.
** Rail weight may need to be as heavy as 68kg/m.
* Gauge is not so important but track strength is, which includes the number of sleepers per km, and the type of attachment of rail to sleeper.

* Couplers must be strong enough. Standard European freight train couplers are not so strong. (see also AAR)
* Curves must be fairly gentle else wagons may be pulled off the inside of curves and derailed.
* Changes of gradient must be gentle else coupling forces may cause them to snap.

* Brakes - air brakes being upgraded to ECP

References