Queensland Railways 3500/3600 class

The 3500/3600 class are a class of electric locomotives built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough and Fuji Heavy Industries for Queensland Rail between 1986 and 1988.

Queensland Rail 3500/3600 class
3524 in November 2008
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Walkers Limited, Maryborough Fuji Heavy Industries Model CF48 Build date 1986-1988 Total produced 50
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo-Bo-Bo Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Length 20.02 m (65 ft 8 in) Width 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in) Height 3.89 m (12 ft 9 in) Loco weight 109.8 t (108.1 long tons; 121.0 short tons) Electric system/s 25 kV AC Current pickup(s) Pantograph Traction motors ASEA Train brakes Davies & Metcalfe P85
Performance figures Maximum speed 80 km/h (50 mph) Tractive effort 2,890 kW (3,880 hp)
Career Operators Queensland Rail Class 3500/3600 Number in class 50 Numbers 3501-3504, 3508, 3512, 3516, 3520, 3524, 3528, 3532, 3536, 3540, 3544, 3546-3550, 3605-3607, 3609-3611, 3613-3615, 3617-3619, 3621-3623, 3625-3627, 3629-3631, 3633-3635, 3637-3639, 3641-3643, 3645 Delivered 29 May 1986 Current owner Aurizon

History

In July 1984, a joint venture of Clyde Engineering and Walkers Limited was awarded a contract to build 70 3500/3600 class electric locomotives with ASEA supplying the electrical equipment. These were ordered to operate coal trains on the Blackwater and Goonyella railway lines that were in the process of being electrified.[1]

The bodies being built and assembled at Walkers's Maryborough factory with Clyde Engineering responsible for some of the electrical equipment and commissioning the locomotives.[2][3]

The first locomotive, 3501 DF Lane, was delivered on 29 May 1986.[4]

All were fitted with the Locotrol systems that allowed remote control locomotives in the centre of a train to be controlled from a command unit. Thus two separate classes were built, 19 class 3500 command units that could lead trains, and 31 class 3600 slave units.[1][2] The bodies were manufactured with fluted stainless steel.

The original order was later increased to 80. Following the decision to electrify the North Coast line from Brisbane to Rockhampton, the last 30 were modified for passenger and general freight use, and delivered as the 3900 class.[2]

References

1. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 403–405. ISBN 9781921719011.
2. Clark, Peter (2012). An Australian Locomotive Guide. Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 353–354. ISBN 9781921719554.
3. 3500/3600/3551 Class Railpage
4. Queensland Rail (May 1986). "Fact Sheet No.12 May 1986 Mainline Electrification Special Loco Preview Edition" (1): 1. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

Two 35 class locomotives on the Blackwater line in 1993