Australian National EL class

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 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 General Electric 7-FDL12 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 13 in service, 1 scrapped

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

In June 1989 Australian National awarded a contract for 14 Dash 8 locomotives to A Goninan & Co with the first delivered in July 1990. 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.

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. 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.

In November 1998, the remaining 13 were sold to Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia. 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%. All have been repainted into Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia's silver, blue and yellow livery and named after famous Australian racehorses. They have been leased to a variety of operators and operated in all states.