Two 3800 locomotives arrived in Brisbane yesterday, part of QR’s $A650 million new rolling stock project, and are targeted to be in service by September.

Goonyella’s coal rail system will increase its capacity from its current 94 million tonnes per annum, to 115Mtpa by October 2008 once more rolling stock comes online.

QR chief executive Lance Hockridge said the arrival of the new locomotives had been highly anticipated for the capacity upgrade.

“As well as the new 3800 class locomotives we are also investing in $250 million to upgrade 63 [of the] 3700 locomotives and $A500 million on upgrading Jilalan Yard,” Hockridge said.

“By late 2009 we will have increased our capacity on the Goonyella system from 94 million tonnes per annum to 130 million tonnes per annum.”

The Jilalan Yard upgrade is designed to meet the growing demand for coal.

It will involve above and below ground rail works which will increase throughput volumes by 15Mtpa allowing the entire system to reach 130Mtpa and expand the capacity to 33 consists through a day, a jump from the current 24 consists a day.

The below rail works will comprise two bypass tracks with the potential for a third bypass, some realignment of tracks and power upgrades.

Meanwhile, the above ground works will include two tracks to allow for holding trains in both empty and loaded directions.

The move to improve the Goonyella system will benefit Queensland coal mines including Vale’s Carborough Downs, Anglo Coal’s Moranbah North and German Creek, Peabody’s North Goonyella and Xstrata’s Oaky Creek.