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There's a 1700km track network with both automated and non automated trains, so slightly larger than disneyworld. https://www.railjournal.com/freight/rio-tinto

by ezzaf 6y ago

There's a 1700km track network with both automated and non automated trains, so slightly larger than disneyworld. https://www.railjournal.com/freight/rio-tinto-completes-automation-of-pilbara-rail-network/ https://www.railjournal.com/freight/rio-tinto-completes-auto... "Australia is notoriously flat" Citation needed.

sandworm101 6y ago
REally? You need a citation to know that australia is flat? "Australia is the lowest, FLATTEST, and oldest continental landmass on Earth[4] and it has had a relatively stable geological history. Geological forces such as tectonic uplift of mountain ranges and clashes between tectonic plates occurred mainly in Australia's early prehistory, when it was still a part of Gondwana. Its highest peak is Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 metres (7,310 ft), which is relatively low in comparison to the highest mountains on other continents." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Australia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Australia Russia is big. Switzerland is small. And Africa has gets less snow than Canada. (Citations needed) The basic route of this train (Newman to Port Headland) is a gentle slope to the coast. +175 and -700m over a 400km journey. (Google maps) Compare that to a route in western canada: Canmore Albert to Salmon Arm BC, the same distance but +2500m and -3500m.
- ezzaf 6y ago
  Being the flattest continent does not mean that the continent is flat. My point is that there is still plenty of hills and steep terrain around. It's not self evident that if you build a train line somewhere in Australia, that line will be flat. In fact the Pilbara automated rail network does contain some steep sections. It still snows in Africa, and if you tried to climb Jebel Toubkal without a jacket I don't think knowing that Canada is snowier would provide you much comfort.

by ezzaf 6y ago

sandworm101 6y ago

REally? You need a citation to know that australia is flat? "Australia is the lowest, FLATTEST, and oldest continental landmass on Earth[4] and it has had a relatively stable geological history. Geological forces such as tectonic uplift of mountain ranges and clashes between tectonic plates occurred mainly in Australia's early prehistory, when it was still a part of Gondwana. Its highest peak is Mount Kosciuszko at 2,228 metres (7,310 ft), which is relatively low in comparison to the highest mountains on other continents." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Australia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Australia Russia is big. Switzerland is small. And Africa has gets less snow than Canada. (Citations needed) The basic route of this train (Newman to Port Headland) is a gentle slope to the coast. +175 and -700m over a 400km journey. (Google maps) Compare that to a route in western canada: Canmore Albert to Salmon Arm BC, the same distance but +2500m and -3500m.

ezzaf 6y ago
Being the flattest continent does not mean that the continent is flat. My point is that there is still plenty of hills and steep terrain around. It's not self evident that if you build a train line somewhere in Australia, that line will be flat. In fact the Pilbara automated rail network does contain some steep sections. It still snows in Africa, and if you tried to climb Jebel Toubkal without a jacket I don't think knowing that Canada is snowier would provide you much comfort.