New South Wales 81 class
Pacific National 8169 and 8137 at Temora
in November 2011
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderClyde Engineering, Kelso
Serial number82-1020 to 82-1034
83-1035 to 83-1058
84-1059 to 84-1082
85-1083 to 85-1099
91-1278 to 91-1281
ModelEMD JT26C-2SS
Build date1982–1985, 1991
Total produced84
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo-Co
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Wheel diameter1,016 mm (40 in)
LengthOver headstocks:
19.760 m (64 ft 10 in),
Over coupler pulling faces:
21.156 m (69 ft 4+7⁄8 in)
Width2,968 mm (9 ft 8+7⁄8 in)
Height4,267 mm (14 ft 0 in)
Axle load21.5 t
(21.2 long tons; 23.7 short tons)
Loco weight129 t
(127.0 long tons; 142.2 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity6,600 L
(1,450 imp gal; 1,740 US gal)
Lubricant cap.920 L (202 imp gal; 243 US gal)
Coolant cap.1,117 L
(246 imp gal; 295 US gal)
Sandbox cap.0.475 m3 (16.8 cu ft)
Prime moverEMD 16-645E3B
RPM range318–904
Engine typeTwo-stroke V16 diesel
AspirationTurbocharged
AlternatorEMD AR16
Traction motorsEMD D77, 6 of
Cylinders16
Cylinder size229 mm × 254 mm
(9.0 in × 10.0 in)
Performance figures
Maximum speed115 km/h (71 mph)
Power outputGross:
2,460 kW (3,300 hp)
For traction:
2,240 kW (3,000 hp)
Tractive effortContinuous:
337.00 kN (75,761 lbf)
at 19.2 km/h (11.9 mph)
Career
OperatorsState Rail Authority
National Rail
Pacific National
Number in class84
Numbers8101–8184
First run29 October 1982
Disposition83 in service, 1 scrapped

The 81 class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Kelso for the State Rail Authority.

History

Eighty 81 class locomotives were built by Clyde Engineering, Kelso between September 1982 and February 1986, to replace 1950s vintage 42 and 44 class locomotives as well as provide additional capacity. The first 42 were based at Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot to operate Hunter Valley coal trains, while the remaining 38 were mostly employed on the Main South line between Sydney and Albury, hauling both passenger and freight trains.[1] The final 15 were equipped with V/Line radios and, from July 1986, operated through to Melbourne.[2] The 81 class was an evolution of the Australian National AL class, and the V/Line G class and Australian National BL class were, in turn, developed from the 81 class.

In 1991, a further four units were built at Kelso, using many components from spares held.[3] Following the delivery of the 90 class in 1994, the Broadmeadow-based units were released to replace older locomotives on other freight duties. That saw their sphere of operation extended to Brisbane and Broken Hill.[4][5]

In the mid-1990s, some of the later locomotives were leased to National Rail. They were later exchanged for 13 of the earlier locomotives which were permanently transferred to National Rail for use around Australia as high-powered shunters. All were reunited when National Rail and FreightCorp were both sold to form Pacific National in February 2002.

In February 1999, 81s began operating in South Australia, when FreightCorp won a contract to haul brown coal on the Leigh Creek to Stirling North line from Leigh Creek to the Northern Power Station in Port Augusta.[6][7]

As of February 2013, Pacific National operated 83, primarily in New South Wales.[8][9] 8147 was written off following a derailment and fire near Forbes on 11 March 2007.

Victorian R&B


In November 2023 PN started allocating some of the fleet to VIC R&B with 8114, 8119, 8166, 8168, 8170 & 8180 allocated

References

  1. ↑ Julian Insall (January 1994). "Exit the Sydney/Melbourne express". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). pp. 7–9.
  2. ↑ "V/Line Standard Gauge Report" Railway Digest August 1986 page 247
  3. ↑ "New 81 class locos handed over" Railway Digest August 1991 page 269
  4. ↑ "All Change on the Coast" Railway Digest August 1994 page 38
  5. ↑ "Broken Hill" Railway Digest October 1994 page 34
  6. ↑ "Freight Carriers move into New Markets" Railway Digest January 1999 page 9
  7. ↑ "Ten-Year Leigh Creek Contract for FreightCorp as NSW Flows Lost" Railway Digest October 1999 page 8
  8. ↑ 81 Class Railpage
  9. ↑ 81 Class Vicsig

Further reading

  • New South Wales Rail System Locomotives. Sydney: Archives Section, State Rail Authority of New South Wales. 1984.

Media related to New South Wales 81 class locomotives at Wikimedia Commons

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