NR class
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The most ubtiquous locomotive of Pacific National's fleet, the NR Class, was introduced by National Rail in 1996. They were the only locomotives ordered by National Rail, thus being named the "NR" Class.
The NR Class has introduced many new features that other older locomotives do not have. These were the first locomotives in Australia to have "variable horsepower", which meant that it could be powering in 3 different settings, therefore making it the most fuel effiecient locomotive in Australia.
United Goninan obtained the contract for 120 locomotives from National Rail. Because it was a locomotive to be used "Australia Wide", along with the specification of rapid delivery, two United Goninan plants were used to construct the class - Broadmeadow (NSW) and Bassendean (WA). The Broadmeadow plant constructed NR 1–60, while the Bassendean plant constructed NR61–120. It's design was a long, hooded type locomotive, with only one cab, but permitted to be driven either way. This locomotive had to pass all tests, such as being able to shunt if required, drive "long ended" if needed, and allow drivers to do checks on fuel, brakes, sand etc. They had a GE 7FDL-16 engine, could power 2850HP, 3560HP or 4020HP, has a mass of 132t, has Co-Co axles and has a maximum speed of 115km/h.
The Class were painted in different liveries. NR30 and 52 were painted in Aboriginal artworks, intended to be used on GSR services. A "Trailerail" livery was applied to NR53, 54 and 55. NR56 and 57 were applied in a "Seatrain" Livery. NR58, 59 and 60 were applied the livery "Steelink". NR8, 29, 73 and 103 have been painted in the new Pacific National livery (NR103 has a trial Pacific National trial livery). NR74, 75 and 109 have been painted in "The Ghan" livery while NR25, 26, 27 and 28 have been painted in "Indian Pacific" livery. The rest have been painted in the standard National Rail scheme. Many locomotives have been named, but the intention of all being named has not been fullfilled.
NR3 was involved in a tragic accident at Robertson, NSW, resulting in the death of two crew members. It was rebuilt, renamed NR121. NR33 was also badly damaged in an accident in Victoria, and all reports suggest that it will be written off, however it has not yet been officially scrapped yet. NR109 was involved in an accident while on a Ghan service in 2006, hitting a truck at a level crossing, but will be repaired (news coverage: [1], [2], [3] & [4]).
