pilbara map, page-15

Found the mistake: trains do not carry 4,000 tonnes each but 30,000 tonnes.

"In full operation, FMG will run 2·5 km long trains of up to 240 wagons hauled by two GE Dash 9-4400CW diesel locomotives - a design that is already proven in the harsh Pilbara environment. Setting a new benchmark in heavy haul railways, the wagons have a tare weight of 23 tonnes and can carry up to 137 tonnes of ore. Each trainload will consist of about 30 000 tonnes of ore."

If journey time is max of 4 hours, the 8 trains (each train is 30 minutes apart) x 2.5 km long will fit on the track okay.

Capacity, with half hourly trains, then is (using the other line to return the empty trains):

30,000 x 48 = 1.44m tonnes per day.

1.44m x 365 = 525.6 mtpa

Conclusion there should be spare capacity for all of us, including Formosa Plastics.

Source of info re wagon capacity on FMG line:

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/fortescue-opens-the-worlds-heaviest-haul-railway.html