Prototypes were always going to be operating, there have been prototypes of one form or another in the multi billion per annum iron ore mining business since 1970 at least.
The key from the earlier article (by a few months) was that the greater in house BEL program is being scaled back as :
engineering studies revealed that insufficient power was generated on the downhill leg to return the train to the mine, according to numerous engineers who have not been authorised to speak to the media and have informed this story.
The team developed two solutions to the problem, but they both had unacceptable implications for Fortescue's core business of shipping vast quantities of iron ore to Asia.
So the prototypes are delivered as ordered and will be put to use, but for now at least they won't be making any significant impact WRT the ongoing daily kilometre+ long heavy rail transport operations.
defrost|1 month ago
The key from the earlier article (by a few months) was that the greater in house BEL program is being scaled back as :
( See link for further discussion: https://www.boilingcold.com.au/fortescue-slashes-electric-tr... )So the prototypes are delivered as ordered and will be put to use, but for now at least they won't be making any significant impact WRT the ongoing daily kilometre+ long heavy rail transport operations.