newcastle nsw au photos, city, port, valley

Friday, November 11, 2011

Real men drive road trains.
A fabulous mining bonanza has overtaken the Hunter Valley as well as other regions such as McKinlay in Queensland.
Hunter rail transport is crucial so we havn't come to road transport like this yet, but who knows, there's no time to lose before potential environmental restrictions on coal mining kick in.

Details: Road Trains transport lead and zinc concentrate from BHP Cannington mine to rail loading facility at Yurbi.
Overall length 53.3 metres. Gross weight 160 tonnes. Prime mover Mack Titan. Motor 600hp Cummins.
Gearbox 18 speed road ranger. 86 wheels. 4 trailers.
From ICP Craftpress. photography by David Lee.

No comments:

THE future.... restating the obvious at the time of the Copenhagen summit Dec 09

Outstanding films are made about natural history. We know much more about nature than ever before. Every aspect of habitat and biodiversity is demonstrated before us in stunning images.
Yet, it is perverse. Does this influence our reactions to nature? To the global community? Are we influenced towards conservation and towards lessening the pressures on the environment by significant change to our lifestyle. We are interdependent with nature. It is vital. What is the excuse for inaction, for instance, loss of species, for one, would be self-evident to believers and unbelievers of climate change alike.
Who will change the impact of their western lifestyle? It takes much more than doing away with plastic shopping bags!
Perhaps the glossy wildlife films about bounteous and rich, remote environments are really only a form of entertainment and escapism. The reality of our local communities and their stand offs with nature will never be related in our mind with the glamourous nature films nor seen as every bit as vital.
To rehash: Climate, conservation, economy, global warming and sustainability are not separate concerns. An organic approach makes the most sense, nay, is the only valid approach to a combination of challenges.