Australian National AL class
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| Type and origin | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | Clyde Engineering, Rosewater |
| Serial number | 76-834 to 76-841 |
| Model | JT26C (AL) JT26C-2M (ALF) |
| Build date | 1976-1977 |
| Total produced | 8 |
| Rebuilder | Morrison Knudsen Australia |
| Rebuild date | 1994 |
| Number rebuilt | 8 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Configuration: |
|
| • UIC | Co-Co |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Length | 20.6 m (67 ft 7 in) |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Prime mover |
Electro-Motive Diesel 16-645E3 (AL) Electro-Motive Diesel 16-645E3C (ALF) |
| Engine type | V16 Two-stroke diesel |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Cylinders | 16 |
| Performance figures | |
|---|---|
| Power output | 2,237 kW (3,000 hp) (AL) 2,460 kW (3,300 hp) (ALF) |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Operators | Australian National |
| Number in class | 8 |
| Numbers | AL18-AL25 |
| Delivered | October 1976 |
| Current owner | Genesee & Wyoming Australia |
| Disposition | 5 in service, 2 stored, 1 scrapped |
The AL class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Rosewater for Australian National in 1976-1977. They were mechanically similar to the CL class but instead of a bulldog nose had two flat ended cabs, similar to the 422 class built for the New South Wales Government Railways in 1969.
The AL class initially operated services on the Trans-Australian Railway from Broken Hill to Kalgoorlie, their sphere of operation being extended to Alice Springs and Adelaide when these lines were converted to standard gauge in 1980 and 1983. Although capable of hauling passenger services they tended to be restricted to slower freight trains to minimise track pounding due to their weight.
Three were loaned to the Public Transport Commission in 1979 resulting in 80 mechanically similar class 81s being ordered in 1980. From July 1990 through working into New South Wales was introduced resulting in ALs operating services beyond Broken Hill to Lithgow.
In 2004 they began to operate to Darwin following this line opening.
In August 1992, Australian National awarded Morrison Knudsen Australia a contract to remanufacture the ALs at its Whyalla factory. As part of the deal Morrison Knudsen purchased the locomotives and leased them back to Australian National for 12 years.
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