Queensland Railways 3500/3600 class

Queensland Rail 3500/3600 class

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3524 in November 2008
Type and origin
Power type Electric
Builder Walkers Limited, Maryborough
Model CF48
Build date 1986-89
Total produced 50
Specifications
UIC classification Bo-Bo-Bo
Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Length 20.02 m (65 ft 8 in)
Width 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in)
Height 3.89 m (12 ft 9 in)
Locomotive weight 109.8 t (108.1 long tons; 121.0 short tons)
Electric system(s) 25 kV AC
Current collection
method
Pantograph
Traction motors ASEA
Performance figures
Maximum speed 80 km/h (50 mph)
Tractive effort 2,890 kW (3,880 hp)
Train brakes Davies & Metcalfe P85
Career
Operator(s) Queensland Rail
Class 3500/3600
Number in class 50
Number(s) 3501-3504, 3508, 3512, 3516, 3520, 3524, 3528, 3532, 3536, 3540, 3544, 3546-3550, 3605-3607, 3609-3611, 3613-3615, 3617-3619, 3621-3623, 3625-3627, 3629-3631, 3633-3635, 3637-3639, 3641-3643, 3645
Delivered 29 May 1986
Current owner Aurizon

The 3500/3600 class are a class of electric locomotives built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for Queensland Rail between 1986 and 1988.

History

In July 1984, a joint venture of Clyde Engineering and Walkers Limited was awarded a contract to build 70 3500/3600 class electric locomotives with ASEA supplying the electrical equipment. These were ordered to operate coal trains on the Blackwater and Goonyella railway lines that were in the process of being electrified.[1]

The bodies being built and assembled at Walkers's Maryborough factory with Clyde Engineering responsible for some of the electrical equipment and commissioning the locomotives.[2][3]

The first locomotive, 3501 DF Lane, was delivered on 29 May 1986.[4]

All were fitted with Locotrol systems that allowed remote control locomotives in the centre of a train to be controlled from a command unit. Thus two separate classes were built, 19 class 3500 command units that could lead trains, and 31 class 3600 slave units.[1][2] The bodies were manufactured with fluted stainless steel.

The original order was later increased to 80. Following the decision to electrify the North Coast line from Brisbane to Rockhampton, the last 30 were modified for passenger and general freight use, and delivered as the 3900 class.[2]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 403–405. ISBN 9781921719011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Clark, Peter (2012). An Australian Locomotive Guide. Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 353–354. ISBN 9781921719554.
  3. 3500/3600/3551 Class Railpage
  4. Queensland Rail (May 1986). "Fact Sheet No.12 May 1986 Mainline Electrification Special Loco Preview Edition" (1). p. 1.
Two 35 class locomotives on the Blackwater line in 1993