PILBARA RAILWAY PAGES
PILBARA YARD

BHP Billiton runs the largest diverse fleet of locomotives in the Pilbara with a total of 141 units, spread over four distinct classes.
They are broken up as follows:
Dash 8, 40 locomotives spread across the following variants: CM39-8, and the CM40-8 which were built new in Australia. The CM40-8M which are the rebuilt C636 ALCO units. There were also the three locos rebuilt with no cab, being classed CM40-8ML, and numbered 5663, 5664 and 5665. These units have since had cabs fitted, and are the same as the CM40-8M class. And the last four Dash 8 units 5666 to 5669 are model CM40-8MEFI as they have and Electronically Injected Fuel system on the prime-mover.

AC 6000, 8 locomotives,
SD40R / SD40-2, 20 locomotives, with 10 currently stored,
SD70ACe and /LC, 73 locomotives.

Some of BHP Billitons' fleet of SD70ACe's differ from the standard US version and some are in fact the 'LC' model option, being Low Clearance. They also have marker or classification lights on each end, lit rear number boards, a fire suppression system, dual horizontal hand rails, later units with kick rails and dual snow (or cow) ploughs (one each end).
The first order had the standard US cab assembly, with all following orders having an isolated (whisper) cab to cut down on noise levels in the cab.
Ten units are also standard off the self US models that were part of an order for BNSF, and are in an all over orange livery.

5632 was the first unit to receive the BHP Billiton new corporate colour scheme devised by Steve Malpass Design and called 'Earth' or as we prefer, 'Bubble Paint'. Since then a number of Dash 8s and AC6000 units have been repainted. The last two deliveries of SD40s were painted prior to shipping. And all new locomotives purchased are in this scheme.

In the batch of 20 SD40 locomotives, there is a real mixture of units, SD40, SD40R, SD40-2 and even an ex Southern Pacific SD40T-2 tunnel motor, supplied for spares only and units 'as traded' to GECX and rebuilt and repainted units. With BHPBilliton experiencing an upturn in iron ore demand motive power was required in a hurry so 5 rebuilt SD40 units 3031 to 3085 where delivered in an undercoat colour with BHPBilliton to paint the units themselves (if that ever happens!).

The history of these units is proving to be a real headache for enthusiasts!! As due to the overhauling process, the repainting has made it impossible to prove for certain the frame numbers. But some units are unmistakably ex Southern Pacific units, due to the location of lights and hand brake positions being SP options.