| New South Wales 81 class | |
|---|---|
| Pacific National liveried locomotive 8169 leading 8137, at Temora, New South Wales. | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | Clyde Engineering, Bathurst, NSW |
| Serial number | 82-1020 to 82-1034; 83-1035 to 83-1058; 84-1059 to 84-1082; 85-1083 to 85-1099; 91-1278 to 91-1281. |
| Model | EMD JT26C-2SS |
| Build date | 1982–1985, 1991 |
| Total produced | 84 |
| UIC classification | Co′Co′ |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Wheel diameter | 1,016 mm (40 in) |
| Length | Over headstocks: 19.760 m (64 ft 10 in), Over coupler pulling faces: 21.156 m (69 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 2.968 m (9 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 4.267 m (14 ft 0 in) |
| Axle load | 21.5 tonnes (21.2 long tons; 23.7 short tons) |
| Locomotive weight | 129 tonnes (127.0 long tons; 142.2 short tons) |
| Fuel type | Diesel fuel |
| Fuel capacity | 6,600 litres (1,450 imp gal; 1,740 US gal) |
| Lubricant capacity | 920 litres (202 imp gal; 243 US gal) |
| Coolant capacity | 1,117 litres (246 imp gal; 295 US gal) |
| Sandbox capacity | 0.475 m3 (16.8 cu ft) |
| Prime mover | EMD 16-645E3B |
| Engine RPM range | 318–904 |
| Engine type | Two-stroke diesel |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Alternator | EMD AR16 |
| Traction motors | EMD D77 (6 of) |
| Cylinders | V16 |
| Cylinder size | 229 × 254 mm (9.0 × 10.0 in) |
| Top speed | 115 km/h (71 mph) |
| Power output | Gross: 2,460 kW (3,300 hp), For traction: 2,240 kW (3,000 hp) |
| Tractive effort | Continuous: 337.00 kN (75,761 lbf) at 19.2 km/h (11.9 mph) |
| Career | New South Wales Government Railways |
| Number | 8101–8184 |
| First run | 29 October 1982 |
The 81 class is a class of mainline diesel locomotive in the state of New South Wales. Introduced between 1982 and 1984, the 81 Class is currently the largest class of locomotive in New South Wales, and for many years has been the backbone of the fleet. They are used anywhere on the rail network, when it comes to freight and coal to passenger services.
Eighty of these 3,300 hp (2,500 kW) locomotives were originally introduced in 1982 by the State Rail Authority of NSW, with a further 4 were introduced in 1991 partly made up of spare parts.[1] They were constructed by Clyde Engineering, Bathurst. The class were ordered under the administration of Alan Reiher, and are considered one of the most successful locomotive designs used on an Australian railway.[2]
In early years, the class were used on general freight and also on passenger trains such as the Sydney/Melbourne Express,[3] but today are used on general freight, as high power shunters, and in coal/grain haulage.
Built with "Super Series" technology, trialled by a member of the 422 class (42220), these locomotives have proved themselves to be extremely reliable - so reliable that the spare parts for the 81 class were used to build another four 81 class units in 1991. With an EMD 16-645E3B turbocharged engine developing 2,460 kW (3,300 hp), they have a mass of 126 t, have Co-Co axles, and has a maximum speed of 115 km/h. Altogether, 84 locomotives were built.
13 of the class were transferred to National Rail, but were reunited with the rest of the class along with the formation of Pacific National. A few of these locomotives have been painted in the National Rail Livery, another lot in Pacific National's new livery. The remaining retain the Freightcorp livery, with Pacific National decals. The 81 class wore the SRA Candy Livery when first introduced, and two (8120 & 8172) were painted in the Bicentennial Livery.
One of these locomotives has been written off, locomotive 8147 was burnt out beyond economical repair in a fire following a derailment subsequent to a fatal crash at Garema, near Forbes, New South Wales on 11 March 2007.
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