UGL Rail C44aci

C44aci

Australian Railroad Group AC4305 at North Dynon in September 2009

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder UGL Rail, Broadmeadow Model GE Transportation C44aci Build date 2008-present Total produced 139 + 3 on order

Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Length 22.0 m (72 ft 2 in) Loco weight 140 tons (high) 138 tons (med) 134 tons (low) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover GE Transportation 7FDL-16 Alternator GE Transportation GMG192 Traction motors GE Transportation 5GEB30

Performance figures Maximum speed 115 km/h (71 mph) Power output 3,184 kW (4,270 hp) (pre-2009 units) 3,244 kW (4,350 hp) (post-2009 units) Tractive effort 535 kN (120,000 lbf)

Career Operators Aurizon Centennial Coal CFCL Australia Consolidated Rail Leasing Fletchers International Exports Glencore Mineral Rsources Pacific National Number in class 139 Current owner Aurizon Centennial Coal CFCL Australia Consolidated Rail Leasing Fletchers International Exports Glencore Mineral Rsources Pacific National Disposition 139 in service

The C44aci is a model of Australian heavy duty diesel electric locomotive designed by UGL Rail and built at is Broadmeadow factory. It is operated by a number of rail freight operators. The design is based on the National Rail NR class but with some modifications and upgraded features.

The C44aci was designed by UGL Rail in response to a tender issued by Pacific National, who required a locomotive to match the performance of their existing 90 class units when hauling heavy coal traffic, while still having the ability to work high speed intermodal services, with the change between applications to be simple.

The existing UGL Rail Cv40-9i (NR class) locomotive design was used as a base, but with alterations including: 1

The NR class design had also been used as a basis for the AC traction QR National 5000 class introduced in 2005. This design did not meet the requirements for Pacific National due to the heavy axle load, acceptable on the heavily laid coal routes, but not on lines outside of the Hunter Valley.

To reduce the weight, the level of fuel carried is altered: for intermodal applications the fuel level is 7,300 litres, for coal applications that permit higher axle loads the fuel level is increased to 13,500 litres, with an intermediate fuel level of 10,750 litres also available. These limits are enforced during refuelling by a float switch in the tank, the permitted level being set by a key switch with an indication displayed in the cab if the limits are breached. The provision of inline refuelling permits the topping up of the tanks in transit from a separate tank wagon behind the locomotives.

The older GE Transportation FDL series engine was chosen instead of the newer GE Evolution Series engine used in the United States, due to the greater height not fitting in the restricted Australian loading gauge, and there being no legal requirement to meet stringent Tier 2 emissions standards which drove adoption of the GEVO series elsewhere. The C44aci has one inverter per traction motor, this differs from competing Downer EDi Rail locomotives that have only one inverter per bogie. A further difference between the C44aci and the competing GT46C ACe is the lack of steering bogies to improve tracking properties and reduce the rate of wheel wear, instead fixed-frame pedestal-type bogies are used where all three axles are always held parallel.