80 class

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The Australian 80 class locomotives were the first class to be built "as a whole" by Commonwealth Engineering Granville, still based on an Alco design. These units were a follow on for the 442 class units, which were mostly supplied by A.E Goodwin, but when the company shut down, Commonwealth Engineering completed the final 6.

These locomotives were better than the 442 class, as they were the first to feature cab air-conditioning and they had a more improved engine than the 442 class. The most prominent feature which makes the 80 class unique is that this class does not have buffers, observed when you see the pilot.

The 80 class were introduced to service in 1978. They are powered by an Alco 251CE V12 four-stroke turbocharged engine rated as 1604/1492kW, driving a Mitsubishi 2-B2-288P-01 alternator powering six Mitsubishi MB-451 BVR traction motors.

The 80 class are mainline locomotives. They are usually found in the Western region, from Parkes to Broken Hill. They worked in other regions later on.

22 have been retained by Pacific National, 24 have been bought by Silverton Rail, and 4 locomotives have been scrapped.


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