Australian National EL class

Australian National EL class

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Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia EL class locomotives at Manor in January 2007
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow
Serial number 8013-07/90-103 to 8013-07/90-116
Model C30-8
Build date 1990/91
Total produced 14
Specifications
UIC classification Co-Co
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge
Length 20.5 m (67 ft 3 in)
Fuel type Diesel
Prime mover General Electric 7-FDL12
Engine type V12 diesel
Cylinders 12
Performance figures
Maximum speed 140 km/h (87 mph) (pre 1998)
125 km/h (78 mph) (post 1998)
Power output 2,460 kW (3,300 hp)
Career
Operator(s) Australian National
Number in class 14
Number(s) EL51-EL64
First run 1990
Current owner Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia
Disposition 13 in service, 1 scrapped

The EL class are a class of diesel locomotives built by A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow for Australian National in 1990/91.

History

In June 1989 Australian National awarded a contract for 14 Dash 8 locomotives to A Goninan & Co[1] with the first delivered in July 1990.[2] Even though they were the most powerful locomotives to have operated by Australian National, they were fitted with lightweight traction motors which reduced their tractive effort by 33% compared to the preceding DL class locomotives. They were ordered for use on passenger and fast freight services and geared for a top speed of 140 km/h.[3][4]

They regularly hauled The Ghan and Indian Pacific until replaced by CLP class locomotives in 1994. They were transferred to National Rail however following the delivery of the NR class, 13 were returned to Australian National and by November 2007 stored at Islington Railway Workshops.[5] The 14th had been destroyed in an accident at Mount Christie in February 1997. Six were briefly hired to Australian Southern Railroad in late 1997.[6]

In November 1998 the remaining 13 were sold to Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia.[7] All were overhauled by A Goninan & Co, Bassendean which saw them regeared reducing their top speed to 125 km/h, but resulting in their tractive effort increasing by 19%.[3][8] All have been repainted into Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia's silver, blue and yellow livery and named after famous Australian racehorses. They have been leased to a variety of operators and operated in all states.[9]

Status Table

NumberNameSerial NoDateNotes
EL51Might and Power8013-07/90-103Aug 1990formerly named Bob Brown
EL52Light Fingers8013-07/90-104Sep 1990
EL53Northerly8013-07/90-105Oct 1990
EL54Bonecrusher8013-07/90-106Nov 1990
EL55Kensei8013-07/90-107Dec 1990
EL56Doriemus8013-07/90-108Jan 1991
EL57Gunsynd8013-07/90-109Mar 1991
EL58Kingston Rule8013-07/90-110Apr 1991
EL598013-07/90-111May 1991Destroyed Feb 1997
EL60Octagonal8013-07/90-112Jun 1991
EL61Ethereal8013-07/90-113Jul 1991
EL62Archer8013-07/90-114Aug 1991
EL63Saintly8013-07/90-115Sep 1991
EL64Super Impose8013-07/90-116Oct 1991

References

  1. "Goninan wins Dash-8 Contract" Railway Digest August 1989 page 268
  2. "EL51" Railway Digest September 1990 page 325
  3. 3.0 3.1 "The EL class locomotives" Railway Digest October 1999 page 40
  4. Oberg, Leon (2007). Locomotives of Australia 1854-2007. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 411. ISBN 1-877058-54-8.
  5. "ELs Stored then Returned to Service" Railway Digest January 1998 page 36
  6. "SA Snapshot" Railway Digest February 1998 page 31
  7. "ELs Sold to US Bidder" Railway Digest December 1998 page 12
  8. EL Class Locomotive Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia
  9. EL Class Railpage