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 type Diesel-electric Builder A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow Serial number 8013-07/90-103 to 8013-07/90-116 Model General Electric C30-8 Build date 1990–1991 Total produced 14
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) standard gauge Length 20.5 m (67 ft 3 in) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover GE 7FDL-12 Engine type V12 diesel Cylinders 12
Performance figures Maximum speed 140 km/h (87 mph) (pre-1998) 125 km/h (78 mph) (post-1998) Power output 2,460 kW (3,300 hp)
Career Operators Australian National Number in class 14 Numbers EL51–EL64 First run 1990 Current owner Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia Disposition 9 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

Number	Name	Serial No	Date	Notes
EL51	Might and Power	8013-07/90-103	Aug 1990	formerly named Bob Brown. Currently stored.
EL52	Light Fingers	8013-07/90-104	Sep 1990	Currently stored.
EL53	Northerly	8013-07/90-105	Oct 1990
EL54	Bonecrusher	8013-07/90-106	Nov 1990	Currently stored.
EL55	Kensei	8013-07/90-107	Dec 1990
EL56	Kavanagh	8013-07/90-108	Jan 1991	Damaged Benalla derailment 2006 Damaged Carrington derailment 2010. repaired after both incidents
EL57	Gunsynd	8013-07/90-109	Mar 1991
EL58	Kingston Rule	8013-07/90-110	Apr 1991	Damaged Benalla derailment 2006 repaired and returned to service. Currently stored.
EL59		8013-07/90-111	May 1991	Destroyed in Mt Christie Derailment in 1997 and scrapped.
EL60	Octagonal	8013-07/90-112	Jun 1991
EL61	Ethereal	8013-07/90-113	Jul 1991
EL62	Archer	8013-07/90-114	Aug 1991	Leased by Bowmans Rail
EL63	Saintly	8013-07/90-115	Sep 1991	Leased by Bowmans Rail
EL64	Super Impose	8013-07/90-116	Oct 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