On June 21, 2001, BHP Iron Ore set a world record by operating the longest and heaviest train ever recorded at the time. The train stretched 7,353 meters—nearly 7.3 kilometers—and included 682 ore wagons pulled by eight powerful locomotives. It weighed a staggering 99,732.1 metric tons and carried 82,000 tons of wet iron ore, all while featuring 5,648 wheels. The journey, which took around 10 hours to travel between the Newman and Yandi mines and the Port Hedland port in Western Australia, showcased the potential of large-scale freight transport in the region. This record-breaking train was controlled by a single driver in the lead locomotive, who managed all seven other engines spaced about one kilometer apart. This method, known as "distributed power," allowed for more even distribution of pulling and braking forces across the train. This innovation helped prevent derailments, especially when navigating sharp curves, and made it possible to operate longer and heavier trains safely. BHP had previously held the record for the heaviest train, set in 1996 with a train weighing 72,191 tons. However, the 2001 train not only broke that record but also set a new one for length. Importantly, this train was not meant for regular service but was used to test new control systems. The success of this experiment inspired further advancements in railway technology in the Pilbara region. One of the most significant developments came from BHP's competitor, Rio Tinto, which introduced a system called AutoHaul. This was the world's first long-distance network of driverless heavy trains. Rio Tinto now operates 221 autonomous locomotives on a 1,700-kilometer line, running 24 hours a day. The trains are controlled remotely by a team based in Perth, over 1,500 kilometers away. AutoHaul became fully operational in June 2019 and now allows up to 53 fully autonomous trains, each with 240 wagons, to run simultaneously on a 2,000-kilometer rail network. BHP has also embraced automation, centralizing its train control operations in Perth. By the end of 2012, BHP Billiton had opened a new train control facility, moving all train operations away from the Pilbara tracks. Trains that once required a human driver now operate with empty driver compartments, monitored by operators in Perth. This shift marks a major step in the evolution of heavy freight transport, moving from human-driven operations to fully automated systems controlled from afar.