New South Wales 92 class locomotive
Encyclopedia
The C44aci is a model of Australian heavy duty diesel electric locomotive
designed and built by UGL Rail and operated by a number of local rail freight operators. They have a Co-Co wheel arrangement and are based around a GE Transportation Systems
prime mover and traction equipment.
Units owned by Pacific National
are known as the 92 class, those by Australian Railroad Group
are the AC class, and those with QRNational are the 6000 class. Only small differences occur between the classes, with the ARG units bearing the model number C43aci. 10 units (later increased to 20 units) delivered to Xstrata Coal
.
units when hauling heavy coal traffic, while still having the ability to work high speed intermodal services, with the change between applications to be simple.
The existing UGR Cv40-9i (NR class
) locomotive design was used as a base, but with alterations including:
The NR class design had also been used by UGR as a basis for the AC traction 5000 class used for coal haulage by QRNational. This design did not meet the requirements for Pacific National due to the heavy axle load, acceptable on the heavily laid coal routes, but not on the interstate mainline.
To reduce the weight the level of fuel carried is altered: for intermodal applications the fuel level is 7300 litres, for coal applications that permit higher axle loads the fuel level is increased 13500 litres, with an intermediate fuel level of 10750 litres also available. These limits are enforced during refuelling by a float switch in the tank, the permitted level being set by a key switch with an indication displayed in the cab if the limits are breached. The provision of inline refuelling permits the topping up of the tanks in transit from a separate tank wagon behind the locomotives.
The older GE Transportation Systems
FDL series engine was chosen instead of the current GE Evolution Series
engine used in the United States, due to the greater height not fitting in the restricted Australian loading gauge
, and there being no legal requirement to meet stringent Tier 2 emissions standards which drove adoption of the GEVO series elsewhere. The C44aci has one inverter
per traction motor
, this differs from competing Downer EDI Rail locomotives that have only one inverter per bogie. A further difference between the C44aci and the competing GT46C ACe is the lack of steering bogies to improve tracking properties and reduce the rate of wheel wear, instead fixed-frame pedestal-type bogies are used where all three axles are always held parallel.
Simulation work showed that three C44aci locomotives could equal the performance of 90 class units in heavy mode, while in intermodal mode could outperform the older NR class
units by 20% on services, with the same sectional running times and in some areas a slight reduction in fuel consumed due to the increased adhesion resulting from AC traction. However the C44aci was outperformed by the comparable GT46C ACe locomotive produced by Downer EDI Rail in back-to-back trials performed by RailCorp
on the steeply graded Cowan Bank.
The first of the Pacific National
92 class was officially launched at Port Waratah on 3 October 2008. As of April 2009, all 15 units are used on coal trains in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales
, originally it was thought that they would also be used on interstate intermodal services, but this has yet to occur. The class had been dogged with early teething troubles.
Australian Railway Group
Australian Railroad Group signed a contract for their eight locomotives in July 2008, with options for 16 more units. Intended for use on their Western Australian standard gauge lines, they were delivered from UGR between August and September 2009. These units feature updated electronic control and engine management systems, and had their entry to service delayed by weight issues, with steel body side doors being replaced with lighter aluminium substitutes. Since entering service they have been used on the Koolyanobbing to Esperance iron ore service, in the full fuel load (139 tonne overall weight / 23 tonne axle load).
QR National
QRNational signed a $A 78 million ($US 52.1 million) contract for their 6000 class locomotives in January 2009, for 12 units to be used by their intermodal
freight division. Delivery of the first unit was planned for July 2009, with final delivery planned for all 12 by December the same year. QRN has an option for six additional locomotives. The class leader was transferred to Melbourne in October 2009, soon after it worked an intermodal service to Adelaide and return. These units will be fitted with electronically controlled pneumatic braking
equipment, for operation with similarly fitted container wagons.
Xstrata Rail
In November 2008 United Group confirmed that they had sold 10 C44aci locomotives to Xstrata Coal
for use in the Hunter Valley, as well as a 10 year maintenance program for them and 300 hopper wagons, totalling $108 million.
With the first run of the class in the 2nd half of 2010.
In 2011 it was confirmed that another ten locomotives were going to be built numbered XRN011 - XRN020
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
designed and built by UGL Rail and operated by a number of local rail freight operators. They have a Co-Co wheel arrangement and are based around a GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
prime mover and traction equipment.
Units owned by Pacific National
Pacific National
Pacific National is one of Australia's largest private rail freight businesses. Originally a joint venture between Patrick Corporation and Toll Holdings; it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Asciano Limited following the restructure of Toll Holdings....
are known as the 92 class, those by Australian Railroad Group
Australian Railroad Group
Australian Railroad Group was one of Australia's largest private rail operators, operating across almost 10,000 kilometres of track and began operating in Western Australia on 17 December 2000 following its purchase of the Westrail freight business. It was acquired by QR National...
are the AC class, and those with QRNational are the 6000 class. Only small differences occur between the classes, with the ARG units bearing the model number C43aci. 10 units (later increased to 20 units) delivered to Xstrata Coal
Xstrata
Xstrata plc is a global mining company headquartered in Zug, Switzerland and with its registered office in London, United Kingdom. It is a major producer of coal , copper, nickel, primary vanadium and zinc and the world's largest producer of ferrochrome...
.
Design
The C44aci was designed by UGR to meet a tender issued by Pacific National, who required a locomotive to match the performance of their existing 90 classNew South Wales 90 class locomotive
The 90 class are a class of heavy mainline diesel locomotive introduced from 1994 in the state of New South Wales. They are the heaviest locomotives on the network and are only used on Hunter Valley coal workings....
units when hauling heavy coal traffic, while still having the ability to work high speed intermodal services, with the change between applications to be simple.
The existing UGR Cv40-9i (NR class
NR class
The NR class are an Australian mainline diesel electric locomotives introduced by National Rail in 1996. They were the only locomotives ordered by National Rail, thus being named the "NR" Class...
) locomotive design was used as a base, but with alterations including:
- Higher horsepower prime mover
- Smaller main alternator
- Enlarged radiator size now overhangs the walkway at the number 2 end to cope with the more powerful engine
- AC traction equipment allowing an increase in haulage capacity
- Addition of inline refuelling fittings
- Isolated cab for reduced noise and vibration
- A new design of fabricated bogies
- Increased use of modular construction
- Revised transition curves in the underframe to reduce the probability of fatigue cracking
- Various body and cab modifications
The NR class design had also been used by UGR as a basis for the AC traction 5000 class used for coal haulage by QRNational. This design did not meet the requirements for Pacific National due to the heavy axle load, acceptable on the heavily laid coal routes, but not on the interstate mainline.
To reduce the weight the level of fuel carried is altered: for intermodal applications the fuel level is 7300 litres, for coal applications that permit higher axle loads the fuel level is increased 13500 litres, with an intermediate fuel level of 10750 litres also available. These limits are enforced during refuelling by a float switch in the tank, the permitted level being set by a key switch with an indication displayed in the cab if the limits are breached. The provision of inline refuelling permits the topping up of the tanks in transit from a separate tank wagon behind the locomotives.
The older GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation Systems
GE Transportation, formerly known as GE Rail, is a division of General Electric. The organization manufactures equipment for the railroad, marine, mining, drilling and energy generation industries. It is based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Locomotives are assembled at the Erie plant, while engine...
FDL series engine was chosen instead of the current GE Evolution Series
GE Evolution Series
The Evolution Series is a line of diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation Systems, designed to meet the U.S. EPA's Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards that took effect in 2005. The first pre-production units were built in 2003. Evolution Series locomotives are equipped with either AC or DC...
engine used in the United States, due to the greater height not fitting in the restricted Australian loading gauge
Loading gauge
A loading gauge defines the maximum height and width for railway vehicles and their loads to ensure safe passage through bridges, tunnels and other structures...
, and there being no legal requirement to meet stringent Tier 2 emissions standards which drove adoption of the GEVO series elsewhere. The C44aci has one inverter
Inverter (electrical)
An inverter is an electrical device that converts direct current to alternating current ; the converted AC can be at any required voltage and frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching, and control circuits....
per traction motor
Traction motor
Traction motor refers to an electric motor providing the primary rotational torque of a machine, usually for conversion into linear motion ....
, this differs from competing Downer EDI Rail locomotives that have only one inverter per bogie. A further difference between the C44aci and the competing GT46C ACe is the lack of steering bogies to improve tracking properties and reduce the rate of wheel wear, instead fixed-frame pedestal-type bogies are used where all three axles are always held parallel.
Simulation work showed that three C44aci locomotives could equal the performance of 90 class units in heavy mode, while in intermodal mode could outperform the older NR class
NR class
The NR class are an Australian mainline diesel electric locomotives introduced by National Rail in 1996. They were the only locomotives ordered by National Rail, thus being named the "NR" Class...
units by 20% on services, with the same sectional running times and in some areas a slight reduction in fuel consumed due to the increased adhesion resulting from AC traction. However the C44aci was outperformed by the comparable GT46C ACe locomotive produced by Downer EDI Rail in back-to-back trials performed by RailCorp
Rail Corporation New South Wales
Rail Corporation New South Wales is a statutory authority of the New South Wales government. RailCorp owns, operates and maintains the Sydney suburban and interurban rail network which is marketed under the CityRail brand; in addition to operating rural passenger services under the CountryLink...
on the steeply graded Cowan Bank.
By operator
Pacific NationalThe first of the Pacific National
Pacific National
Pacific National is one of Australia's largest private rail freight businesses. Originally a joint venture between Patrick Corporation and Toll Holdings; it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Asciano Limited following the restructure of Toll Holdings....
92 class was officially launched at Port Waratah on 3 October 2008. As of April 2009, all 15 units are used on coal trains in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, originally it was thought that they would also be used on interstate intermodal services, but this has yet to occur. The class had been dogged with early teething troubles.
Australian Railway Group
Australian Railroad Group signed a contract for their eight locomotives in July 2008, with options for 16 more units. Intended for use on their Western Australian standard gauge lines, they were delivered from UGR between August and September 2009. These units feature updated electronic control and engine management systems, and had their entry to service delayed by weight issues, with steel body side doors being replaced with lighter aluminium substitutes. Since entering service they have been used on the Koolyanobbing to Esperance iron ore service, in the full fuel load (139 tonne overall weight / 23 tonne axle load).
QR National
QRNational signed a $A 78 million ($US 52.1 million) contract for their 6000 class locomotives in January 2009, for 12 units to be used by their intermodal
Intermodal freight transport
Intermodal freight transport involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation , without any handling of the freight itself when changing modes. The method reduces cargo handling, and so improves security, reduces damages and...
freight division. Delivery of the first unit was planned for July 2009, with final delivery planned for all 12 by December the same year. QRN has an option for six additional locomotives. The class leader was transferred to Melbourne in October 2009, soon after it worked an intermodal service to Adelaide and return. These units will be fitted with electronically controlled pneumatic braking
Electronically controlled pneumatic brakes
Electronically controlled pneumatic brakes are a type of modern railway braking system which offer improved performance compared to traditional pneumatic brakes.- Overview :...
equipment, for operation with similarly fitted container wagons.
Xstrata Rail
In November 2008 United Group confirmed that they had sold 10 C44aci locomotives to Xstrata Coal
Xstrata
Xstrata plc is a global mining company headquartered in Zug, Switzerland and with its registered office in London, United Kingdom. It is a major producer of coal , copper, nickel, primary vanadium and zinc and the world's largest producer of ferrochrome...
for use in the Hunter Valley, as well as a 10 year maintenance program for them and 300 hopper wagons, totalling $108 million.
With the first run of the class in the 2nd half of 2010.
In 2011 it was confirmed that another ten locomotives were going to be built numbered XRN011 - XRN020