New South Wales 81 class locomotive
Encyclopedia
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 3300 hp 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. 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.
In early years, the class were used on general freight and also on passenger trains such as the Sydney/Melbourne Express
, 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.
Rail transport in New South Wales
The Australian state of New South Wales has an extensive network of railways, which were integral to the growth and development of the state. The vast majority of railway lines were government built and operated, but there were also several private railways, some of which operate to this...
. 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 3300 hp 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. They were constructed by Clyde Engineering
Clyde Engineering
Clyde Engineering was the name of part of the business now known as Downer EDI Rail. Clyde Engineering were involved in the construction of railway locomotives and rolling stock, as well as larger scale engineering projects on behalf of the governments of Australia...
, Bathurst
Bathurst, New South Wales
-CBD and suburbs:Bathurst's CBD is located on William, George, Howick, Russell, and Durham Streets. The CBD is approximately 25 hectares and surrounds two city blocks. Within this block layout is banking, government services, shopping centres, retail shops, a park* and monuments...
. 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.
In early years, the class were used on general freight and also on passenger trains such as the Sydney/Melbourne Express
Sydney/Melbourne Express
The Sydney/Melbourne Express was an intercapital passenger train service that operated between the Australian cities of Melbourne and Sydney between 1986 and 1993...
, 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
New South Wales 422 class locomotive
The 422 class diesel electric locomotive was introduced into the New South Wales rail system in 1969. Clyde Engineering of Granville, New South Wales obtained the contract to build 20 of these units....
(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
EMD 645
The EMD 645 family of diesel engines was designed and manufactured by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors. Intended primarily for locomotive, marine and stationary engine use, one 16-cylinder version powered the 33-19 "Titan" prototype haul truck designed by GM's Terex...
turbocharged
Turbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
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
National Rail Corporation
The National Rail Corporation was a rail operator in Australia. The Australian Government, New South Wales and Victoria established the National Rail Corporation in 1992...
, but were reunited with the rest of the class along with the formation of 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....
. A few of these locomotives have been painted in the National Rail Livery, another lot in 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....
's new livery. The remaining retain the Freightcorp livery, 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....
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
Forbes, New South Wales
-Notable residents:*Carolyn Simpson - Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales; Member of the first all-female bench to sit in an Australian court*NSW Deputy Premier Carmel Tebbutt was born and raised in Forbes....
on 11 March 2007.