BL class

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BL Class

Four BL classes in National Rail livery
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	Clyde Engineering, Rosewater
Serial number	83-1010–83-1019
Model	EMD JT26C-2SS
Build date	1983 – 1984
Total production	10
Configuration	Co-Co
Gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1,435 mm), 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Length	65 ft 1 in (19.82 m)
Prime mover	EMD 645E3
Cylinders	16
Power output	3,340 hp (2.49 MW)

The BL class are an Australian diesel electric locomotives introduced to service in 1983 and built by Clyde Engineering, Rosewater, to a contract issued by Australian National. Ten were built over a period of 16 months, from March 1983 to July 1984. Numbered BL26 to BL35, they are powered by an EMD 16-645E3 engine, weigh 129t, and have a maximum speed of 115km/h.

With the dissolution of Australian National, the BL Class were transferred to National Rail, and then onto Pacific National in 2004. They are mainly used for general freight duties on the standard gauge lines in New South Wales, although 4 units (BL29, BL30, BL32 and BL34) are fitted with broad gauge bogies and are permanently based out of Melbourne to operate the Melbourne to Long Island steel service.

The in-service members of the BL Class can be seen wearing in one of 3 different liveries: the standard National Rail grey and orange, the grey and white National Rail 'SteelLink' variant, or the new Pacific National blue and yellow livery. All members of the BL Class are currently in service with Pacific National.

The first 5 members of the Victorian G class are identical to the BL class.

[edit] Locomotives

[edit] References

• Locopage: BL class information