V/Line G class
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 Pacific National liveried G class G533 and classmate |
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| Power type | Diesel-Electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | Clyde Engineering Rosewater and Somerton |
| Model | Original: EMD JT26C-2SS Rebuilt: EMD JT36C-2SS |
| Total production | 33 |
| Configuration | Co-Co |
| Gauge | Standard (1435 mm, 4' 8.5") G511 - G523, G526, G528 - G534 Broad (1600 mm, 5' 3") G524, G525, G527 |
| Bogies | Trimount-type High Adhesion |
| Length | 19.82 m |
| Locomotive weight | 127.00 tonnes |
| Engine type | Original: EMD 16-645E3B Rebuilt: EMD 16-645F3B |
| Generator | EMD AR16A-D18 (G511 - G515) EMD AR16A-CA5 (G516 - G543) |
| Traction motors | EMD D77 (G511 - G525) EMD D87 (G526 - G543) |
| Top speed | 114 km/h |
| Power output | Original: 2,460 kW (3,300 hp) Rebuilt: 2,830 kW (3,800 hp) |
| Tractive effort | Starting: 337 kN Continuous: 311 kN at 18 km/h |
| Career | 1984 - |
| Class | G |
| Number in class | 33 |
| Number | G511 through G543 |
| Delivered | 1984 |
| First run | 16 October 1984 |
| Scrapped | 2 G517 and G518 written-off after Ararat Collision, 26 November 1999 |
| Current owner | Pacific National (G519, G520, G522 - G531, G536 - G543) SCT (G511 - G515, G521, G532, G533, G535) QRNational (G516, G534) |
The V/Line G class mainline diesel electric locomotives built by Clyde Engineering from 1984, the last entering service in December 1989.[1] They were newest and most powerful locomotives in the Victorian broad gauge freight fleet until the XR class entered service, and can be considered a more technically advanced version of the C class.[1] The class can be grouped into 4 subgroups, locos in the initial subgroup derived from the BL class locomotives, with later subgroups having minor detail changes.
Major advances introduced with the class included cab air conditioning, Trimount type high adhesion bogies, and Super Series wheel creep control to enable heavier loads to be hauled.[1] On delivery to V/Line the class enabled the retirement of many lower horsepower locomotives, such as the B and S classes. They initially saw use on the mainlines, due to their heavier axle loading. Duties included intercapital freights, grain haulage, and Melbourne to Sydney passenger work.
Today track upgrading and branch line closures has seen the class usable on the majority of the Victorian network. Recent years have seen the class fitted with on line refuelling, and working from Melbourne to Perth on the Specialised Container Transport (SCT) service. After the sale of V/Line Freight, the new private owner Freight Australia rebuilt a number of G class locomotives with higher horsepower engines, cascading engines to the X class.
Two G class locos were accident damaged and were replaced with the V class locomotive V544. Another 2 members were transferred to Colin Rees Transport (now a part of QRNational) when Freight Australia was sold to to Pacific National,[2] as are 9 locomotives now with Specialised Container Transport due to an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) decision on the same sale.[3] The majority of the Pacific National owned fleet is on SG (like the rest) whist only 3 are on BG.
[edit] Gallery
 SCT liveried G514 Stabled with GM36 at Seymour Loco. |
 Three Freight Australia liveried G class locomotives with online refuelling tanker hauling a SCT service. |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Railmac Publications (1992). Australian Fleetbooks: V/Line locomotives. Kitchner Press. ISBN 0 949817 76 7.
- ^ Peter Attenborough (February 2006). "Colin Rees Transport". Australian Model Railway Magazine 22 (256): 36–38.
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald: 'ACCC won't oppose Freight Australia takeover' - July 2, 2004
[edit] External links
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