CBH class

CBH class
CBH002 at Wagin in 2012
Specifications
Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	MotivePower, Boise, Idaho
Serial number	2363.01-2363.22
Model	MP27CN MP33CN MP33C
Build date	2012-
Total produced	22 + 3 on order
UIC classification	Co-Co
Gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in): CBH001-CBH017 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in): CBH118-CBH122
Length	18.5 metres
Width	2.85 metres
Height	4.01 metres
Locomotive weight	96 tonnes: CBH001-CBH011 120 tonnes: CBH012-CBH017 132 tonnes: CBH118-CBH122
Fuel type	Diesel
Prime mover	Cummins QSK60: CBH001-CBH011 Cummins QSK78: CBH012-CBH017, CBH118-CBH122
Aspiration	Turbocharged
Alternator	Kato BP 6.5
Traction motors	General Electric 761: CBH001-CBH017 Electro Motive Diesel D78: CBH118-CBH122
Cylinders	V16: CBH001-CBH011 V18: CBH012-CBH017, CBH118-CBH122
Top speed	90 km/h
Train brakes	Dynamic
Career
Operator(s)	Watco Rail
Number in class	22
Number(s)	CBH001–CBH017 CBH118–CBH122
First run	15 June 2012
Current owner	CBH Group
Disposition	22 in service, 3 on order

The CBH class are a class of diesel locomotives built in 2012 by MotivePower in Boise, Idaho for Western Australian grain growers co-operative CBH Group. They are operated under contract by Watco Rail.

The class is divided into three sub-classes, based on differences in power output, traction motors and rail gauge. A further three are to be delivered in 2015.

Background

Following the deregulation of the Western Australian grain market,^[1] grain growers co-operative CBH Group decided to put its rail grain haulage services out to tender.^[2] CBH carried out extensive preliminary work to identify potential rail providers, and to ensure the terms of its proposed new long term partnership would provide all parties with both the flexibility and certainty to make the necessary investment.^[3]

In December 2010 CBH Group awarded Watco Rail a ten-year contract from May 2012 to operate services in the south of Western Australia.^[4][5][6][7] The services link various CBH grain collection points in the wheatbelt with CBH terminal and port facilities in Albany, Geraldton and Kwinana. To operate the services, CBH invested in 22 new locomotives and 574 grain wagons.^[8]

Because of a delay in the delivery of the rolling stock, QR National continued to operate narrow gauge services until October 2012,^[9] while to operate standard gauge services, SCT and VL class locomotives were hired from SCT Logistics and Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia.

Under the agreement Watco is responsible for providing a comprehensive rail logistics planning service, including train planning and scheduling, tracking, maintenance, inventory control and crew management.^[10] Watco operates and maintains the rolling stock with ownership remaining with CBH.

In April 2011, CBH Group placed an order with MotivePower for 22 locomotives.^[11][12][13]

Three variations were purchased with different power output, traction motors and rail gauge.^[14][15] The first two entered service in June 2012,^[16] with the class officially launched at a ceremony at the CBH Metro Grain Centre in Forrestfield on 24 August 2012.^[17][18][19]

A further three narrow gauge units will be delivered in 2015 as compensation for late delivery of the original order.^[20][21]

Specifications

CBH002 & CBH001 at Cranbrook in September 2012

Common features

All members of the CBH class are hood unit locomotives with a single cab at one end, and ride on three axle bogies of Co-Co wheel arrangement. Each is equipped with a Cummins QSK series prime mover.^[14][15]

The CBH class have dynamic brakes and the control equipment necessary for "top and tail" distributed power operation. Trains with a CBH class locomotive at each end are said to be easier to load and unload than a conventionally hauled train, and thus more time efficient.^[22]

MP27CN

The first eleven locomotives, CBH001 to CBH011, are designated as type MP27CN (27 signifying 2,700 hp, C, three driven axles per bogie, and N, narrow gauge). These are equipped with a Cummins V16 QSK60 prime mover rated at 2,000 kW (2,680 hp), and ride on 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) (cape gauge) bogies fitted with six General Electric 761 traction motors.^[14][15]

MP33CN

The next six locomotives, CBH012 to CBH017, are designated as type MP33CN.^[23] They have a more powerful Cummins V18 QSK78 prime mover rated at 2,460 kW (3,300 hp), but are otherwise identical to the MP27CNs.^[14][15]

MP33C

The final five locomotives, CBH118 to CBH122, are designated as type MP33C.^[23] They are equipped with the same 2,460 kW (3,300 hp) Cummins V18 QSK78 prime mover as the MP33CN, but ride on 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in) (standard gauge) bogies fitted with Electro Motive Diesel D78 traction motors.^[14][15]

Livery and naming

CBH002 displaying its Mooterdine name

All members of the CBH class are painted in CBH Group two-tone mid blue / light blue and white livery.

In June/July 2011, CBH held a competition for grain growers to nominate "Iconic Western Australian" names for the CBH class locomotives. According to the media release announcing the competition, the locomotives would be growers' locomotives, and CBH wanted to give them the opportunity of being a part of what CBH described as an historic moment. Around 350 entries were submitted.^[24]

The entries covered a broad spectrum of topics, including political figures, sporting legends, CBH and the grains industry history, flora, fauna, tourist locations and indigenous culture. However, a central theme was names taken from old rail sidings from around Western Australia.^[24]

Service history

The first two entered service in mid-June 2012,^[22] shortly after arriving separately at Fremantle.^[25] Their initial task was to take a 60 wagon train to Hyden for loading.^[22]

Status list

Hood end view of CBH001 at Wagin in 2012

By January 2013, all of the initial order of 22 CBH class locomotives had entered service, as follows:^{[14][16][23][26][27][28]}

See also

• List of Australian diesel locomotives
• List of Western Australian locomotive classes
• Wheatbelt railway lines of Western Australia

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to CBH class.

• CBH Group website
• MotivePower Inc website
• Watco WA Rail website