North West Broad Gauge Line - Mildura Line

Donald to Birchip Section


LOCATIONS

This section of the Maryborough to Mildura line, between Donald and Birchip, is still all broad gauge which means that the only operator is Freight Australia, although this may change early next year (2003) after the line is standardised. The main traffic that is generated on this section is grain on behalf of AWB Limited from their grain centre at Birchip and GrainCorp, from their various grain receival locations dotted along the line, including the large complex just south of Donald. Other traffic includes containerised grain from the PeaCo packing plant at Donald.

Through traffic includes additional grain from other GrainCorp sites further north, containers and general freight from the Mildura area and gypsum from Cowangie on the Ouyen to Pinnaroo branch. Future traffic should include mineral sands from the Mildura area boudn for export through Portland, after the line is standardised.


BIRCHIP GRAIN CENTRE

StatusBalloon Loop - Grain Loading
Rail Distance
(via Marker Posts)
386 km
Road Location3 km South of Birchip on the Sunraysia Highway
Railfan ServicesNone - See Birchip (when available)



Birchip is one of four rapid out-loading grain receival sites built by AWB Ltd in Victoria. The others are located at Dimboola, Sea Lake and Charlton. The loading of trains is carried out on a balloon loop off the mainline.

The centre is currently only services by Freight Australia trains, but with the impending standardisation of this line, there will be scope for other operators, such as ATN Access who already service AWB Ltd's Dimboola Grain Centre. The first trains to use the loop operated in early 2002.

For more information on AWB Ltd and limited information on the other AWB Ltd grain centres, click on this logo...
Web Link

DONALD AREA

The Donald area contains three separate railway precincts which include :

  • Donald Yard
  • Donald Loop
  • Donald Freezing Co. Siding/Graincorp Siding