Australian National EL class

The EL class are a class of diesel locomotives built by A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow for Australian National in 1990-1991.

Australian National EL class
Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia EL class locomotives at Manor in January 2007
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderA Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow
Serial number8013-07/90-103
to 8013-07/90-116
ModelGeneral Electric C30-8
Build date1990–1991
Total produced14
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo-Co
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Length20.5 m (67 ft 3 in)
Fuel typeDiesel
Prime moverGE 7FDL-12
Engine typeV12 diesel
Cylinders12
Performance figures
Maximum speed140 km/h (87 mph) (pre-1998)
125 km/h (78 mph) (post-1998)
Power output2,460 kW (3,300 hp)
Career
OperatorsAustralian National
Number in class14
NumbersEL51–EL64
First run1990
Current ownerChicago Freight Car Leasing Australia
Disposition9 in service, 4 stored, 1 scrapped

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 1997 were 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 silver 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. Currently stored.
EL52Light Fingers8013-07/90-104Sep 1990Currently stored.
EL53Northerly8013-07/90-105Oct 1990
EL54Bonecrusher8013-07/90-106Nov 1990Currently stored.
EL55Kensei8013-07/90-107Dec 1990
EL56Kavanagh8013-07/90-108Jan 1991Damaged Benalla derailment 2006 Damaged Carrington derailment 2010. repaired after both incidents
EL57Gunsynd8013-07/90-109Mar 1991
EL58Kingston Rule8013-07/90-110Apr 1991Damaged Benalla derailment 2006 repaired and returned to service. Currently stored.
EL598013-07/90-111May 1991Destroyed in Mt Christie Derailment in 1997 and scrapped.
EL60Octagonal8013-07/90-112Jun 1991
EL61Ethereal8013-07/90-113Jul 1991
EL62Archer8013-07/90-114Aug 1991Leased by Bowmans Rail
EL63Saintly8013-07/90-115Sep 1991Leased by Bowmans Rail
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. "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
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