NREC RL class locomotive

RL class
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder RTS, Islington Railway Workshops
Model AT36-C
Build date 2005-10
Total produced 9
Specifications
UIC class Co-Co
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
Length 19.1 metres
Loco weight 132 tonnes
Fuel type Diesel
Prime mover Electro-Motive Diesel 645F3B
Cylinders 16
Performance figures
Maximum speed 115 km/h
Tractive effort 2610 kW
Career
Operators Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia
Number in class 9
Numbers RL301-RL307, RL309-RL310
First run October 2005
Current owner Qube Logistics
Southern Shorthaul Railroad
Disposition 9 in service

The RL class are a class of diesel locomotives built by National Railway Equipment Company at Islington Railway Workshops in Australia.

History

The concept of the RL class dates back to 1994 when Morrison Knudsen Australia purchased some 442 class locomotives from the State Rail Authority with the aim of rebuilding them with EMD 16 645F3B engines. However the project was shelved and the locomotives scrapped.

Following National Railway Equipment Company purchasing Morrison Knudsen, the project was revitalised albeit using new locomotive frames. Nine were built by RTS at Islington Railway Workshops, Adelaide between 2005 and 2010 with bogies and compressors from the 442s and reconditioned parts from the United States.

Seven were originally built and initially owned by Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia before being sold to Greentrains and leased to South Spur Rail Services.[1][2][3] One was included in the sale of the South Spur Rail Services business to Qube Logistics in May 2010 who later took delivery of a further two. A tenth was not completed after a defect was discovered in the frame and scrapped.

They have hauled freight services in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. In April 2016, the six Greentrains units were sold to Southern Shorthaul Railroad.[4][5]

Status table

NumberOwnerLivery
RL301Southern Shorthaul RailroadGreentrains green & yellow
RL302Southern Shorthaul RailroadGreentrains green & yellow
RL303Qube LogisticsGreentrains green & yellow
RL304Southern Shorthaul RailroadGreentrains green & yellow
RL305Southern Shorthaul RailroadGreentrains green & yellow
RL306Southern Shorthaul RailroadGreentrains green & yellow
RL307Southern Shorthaul RailroadGreentrains green & yellow
RL309Qube LogisticsQube Logistics grey & yellow
RL310Qube LogisticsQube Logistics grey & yellow

References

  1. Update on Receivable Coote Industrial 13 November 2008
  2. RL Class Railpage
  3. RL Class Vicsig
  4. Disposal of Greentrains rollingstock Engenco 28 April 2016
  5. "Greentrans rollingstock sold to Holdco Holdings" Railway Digest June 2016 page 6

External links

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