Freight Australia XR class
Encyclopedia
The XR class diesel electric locomotives are a mainline hood unit
design built by Freight Australia
at their South Dynon workshops.
The first members of the XR class were rebuilt from first and second series X class
locomotives, being provided with more powerful rebuilt engines cascaded from the G class
, larger radiators, and a new cab to provided better driver visibility. They were not reclassed and renumbered as the XR class until 2004. The second group of three locomotives were built from new, entering service from late 2005. They differ from the earlier units as 'elephant ears' noise deflectors are fitted to the radiators.
The class are mechanically similar to the later XRB class B unit
s.
All the class are in service with Pacific National
(successor of Freight Australia), in either the green and yellow FA livery (with PN logos), or the blue and yellow PN livery. The majority of the class are used on broad gauge
except for two on standard gauge
duties.
Hood unit
A hood unit, in railroad terminology, is a body style for diesel and electric locomotives. On a hood unit, the body of the locomotive is less than full-width for most of the locomotive's length, with walkways on the outside of the locomotive. In contrast, a cab unit has a full-width carbody for...
design built by Freight Australia
Freight Australia
Freight Australia was a railway company in Australia. Initially known as Freight Victoria, it operated rail freight services and controlled non-urban rail track in the state of Victoria, later expanding into freight haulage in other states. Freight Australia was taken over by Pacific National in...
at their South Dynon workshops.
The first members of the XR class were rebuilt from first and second series X class
Victorian Railways X class (diesel)
The Victorian Railways X class mainline diesel electric locomotives were built by Clyde Engineering from 1966, with a further two orders being placed in 1970 and 1975...
locomotives, being provided with more powerful rebuilt engines cascaded from the G class
V/Line G class
The V/Line G class are a mainline diesel electric locomotives built by Clyde Engineering from 1984, the last of 33 locomotives entering service in December 1989...
, larger radiators, and a new cab to provided better driver visibility. They were not reclassed and renumbered as the XR class until 2004. The second group of three locomotives were built from new, entering service from late 2005. They differ from the earlier units as 'elephant ears' noise deflectors are fitted to the radiators.
The class are mechanically similar to the later XRB class B unit
B unit
A "B" unit, in railroad terminology, is a locomotive unit which does not have a driving cab, or crew compartment, and must therefore be controlled from another, coupled locomotive with a driving cab . The term booster unit is also used. The concept was largely confined to North America...
s.
All the class are in service with Pacific National
Pacific National
Pacific National is one of Australia's largest private rail freight businesses. Originally a joint venture between Patrick Corporation and Toll Holdings; it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Asciano Limited following the restructure of Toll Holdings....
(successor of Freight Australia), in either the green and yellow FA livery (with PN logos), or the blue and yellow PN livery. The majority of the class are used on broad gauge
Victorian broad gauge
Rail gauge in Australia displays significant variation, which has been an ongoing problem for transportation on the Australian continent, for over a hundred years.-Track gauges and route km:The most used gauges are Main gauges:...
except for two on standard gauge
Standard gauge
The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
duties.
Locomotives
| Locomotive | Re-built from | Named | Entered service | Owner | Status |
| XR550 | X38 | Pacific National - Rural and Bulk | In Service | ||
| XR551 | X35 | Norman W DePomeroy | Pacific National - Rural and Bulk | In Service | |
| XR552 | X40 | Pacific National - Rural and Bulk | In Service | ||
| XR553 | X33 | Pacific National - Rural and Bulk | In Service | ||
| XR554 | X34 | Pacific National - Rural and Bulk | In Service | ||
| XR555 | X32 | Pacific National - Rural and Bulk | In Service | ||
| XR557 | Pacific National - Rural and Bulk | In Service | |||
| XR558 | Pacific National - Rural and Bulk | In Service | |||
| XR559 | 16 January 2006 | Pacific National - Rural and Bulk | In Service |
See also
- Victorian Railways X class (diesel)Victorian Railways X class (diesel)The Victorian Railways X class mainline diesel electric locomotives were built by Clyde Engineering from 1966, with a further two orders being placed in 1970 and 1975...
- Victorian XRB class (diesel)