Modern Engineering and Construction recently completed the bin contract for a rail loading facility at Nullawil, Victoria, for the Australian Bulk Alliance (which is the joint venture company owned by South Australian Co-operative Bulk Handling and Grainco from Queensland). The facility is designed to load 2400 tonnes of grain onto rail in 3 to 4 hours. This rapid loading allows for the loading to be carried out on a running line (without the need for costly rail sidings etc) and to turn trains out quickly to improve the efficiency of the rail transport system. The grain loaded at Nullawil feeds the new Globex shipping facility at Appleton Dock, Melbourne.

The two main bins are Kotzur GPE 13.4-9-40 elevated silos with capacities of 1,830 cubic metres (approx. 1480 tonnes of wheat, maximum design load of 1,680 tonnes). The silos are 13 metres diameter and 21 metres high. They are fully sealed and tested gastight for fumigation when required prior to outloading.

The over-rail bin has a capacity in excess of 100 tonnes and acts as a buffer bin for the 800 tonnes per hour bucket elevator during loading. It features a 6mm wear plate hopper to ensure many years of maintenance free service.

In performing the contract Modern Engineering met the requirements of a stringent Quality assurance system through all phases from the Engineering design, shop detailing, materials procurement, shop fabrication and site erection.