The length of a train, including the longest trains, may be measured in number of wagons (for bulk loads such as coal and iron ore) or in metres for general freight. Train lengths and loads on electrified railways, especially lower voltage 3000 V DC and 1500 V DC, are limited by traction power considerations. Drawgear and couplings can be a limiting factor, tied in with curves, gradients and crossing loop lengths.
Conventional freight trains in the US can average nearly 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).[1] Freight trains with a total length of three or four times that average are possible with the advent of distributed power units, or additional locomotive engines between or behind long chains of freight cars (referred to as a "consist"). Power units enable much longer, heavier loads without the increased risks of derailing that stem from the stress of pulling very long chains of train-cars around curves.
Conventional freight trains in the US can average nearly 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).[1] Freight trains with a total length of three or four times that average are possible with the advent of distributed power units, or additional locomotive engines between or behind long chains of freight cars (referred to as a "consist"). Power units enable much longer, heavier loads without the increased risks of derailing that stem from the stress of pulling very long chains of train-cars around curves.
Rail gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) except where shown.
Australia
Rio Tinto—29,500 tonnes of iron ore—2.4 km, three locomotives
BHP Billiton iron ore train has typically 268 cars and a train weight of 43,000 tonnes carrying 24,200 tonnes of iron ore, 2.8 km long, two SD70ACe locomotives at the head of the train and two remote controlled SD70ACe locomotives as mid-train helpers
BHP Billiton used to run iron ore trains of 336 car length, 44,500 tonnes of iron ore, over 3 km long, six to eight locomotives including intermediate remote unit. This operation seems to have ceased since the trunk line was fully double tracked in May 2011.
The record-breaking ore train from the same company, 682 cars and 7,300 m long, once carried 82,000 metric tons of ore for a total weight of the train, largest in the world, of 99734 tonnes. It was driven by eight locomotives distributed along its length to keep the couplings loads and curve performance controllable.
Leigh Creek coal—2.8 km, 161 wagons and 2 locomotives.
Cane tramway - 75 wagons (610 mm (2 ft) gauge)
Brazil
Carajás Railway 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) gauge iron ore typically 330-car trains, each 3 km long.
VLI 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Grain with 160 Hopper or 80 Hopper+72 FTTs (for pulp transport) about 3.2 km (2 mile) long
China
Daqin Railway coal trains—20,000 t, 3.2 km, 210 wagons
Mauritania—3 km —iron ore from Zouérat—trains lurch violently when accelerating or braking
Indonesia (proposed)
Muara Wahau coal to Bengalon port — 2196 m
South Africa
Sishen–Saldanha railway line ore trains on 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) — 4100 m
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