We'd hope that after the recent two week disruption to coal...

We'd hope that after the recent two week disruption to coal trains in the NSW Hunter Valley, WHC would be making up for lost time.

I can't compare to say 'it's more than usual' but in giving a snapshot of operations, we have some reassurance that the 'boats' (bulk ships) at Kooragang Island are being 'fed' with black gold.

Just before noon AEST on Wednesday 20 July 2022, starting from the northwest:

South of Narrabri, a loaded Pacific National WHC coal train had commenced its journey to Newcastle's Kooragang Island

One loaded and one empty coal train (both Maules Creek) were crossing (railway word on single line sections for being able to pass each other) at Gunnedah

Another loaded coal train was approaching Werris Creek through Gap

Just north of Quirindi was an empty Port Waratah Coal Services - Narrbri train using AZJ as the locomotive and wagon contractor

Between Wingen and Scone there was a loaded AZJ coalie ex Maules Creek mine

At Antiene was another loaded one ex Maules Creek, also operated by listed AZJ

South of Singleton was yet another loaded train, this time operated by unlisted Pacific National, from Narrabri

and finally nearby an empty coal AZJ-operated for WHC coal train, destination Maules Creek.

So we have at least six loaded and three empty coal train rakes ('rakes' means 'multiple wagons' in Oz railway terminology), which is great to see.

Bear in mind that north of Muswellbrook, the railway to Narrabri is single track, with grain, intermodal (cotton) and NSW TrainLink's 'Northern Tablelands Express' daily passenger train also featuring, plus local railcars to Scone NSW, and closer to Newcastle from Maitland in where there's two tracks each way, intermodal (container) trains to/from Brisbane, plus numerous passenger trains. It is a very busy railway, and WHC is far from the only coal miner having trains (mostly in its case) to/from Kooragang Island at the port.