Downer EDI Rail GT42CU AC
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The GT42CU AC is a model of diesel electric locomotives manufactured by EDi Rail, Maryborough, Queensland, Australia. between 1999 and 2005 under licence from Electro-Motive Diesel, for use on narrow gauge railways in Queensland.
History
In March 1998, Queensland Rail ordered 38 GT42CU ACs from Clyde Engineering.[1] They were the first locomotives ordered from Clyde Engineering after its takeover by Evans Deakin Industries and were built at the latter's Maryborough factory.[2]
Designated the 4000 class, the first was delivered in October 1999.[3] After an extensive evaluation process, the first entered service in May 2000 with all in service by May 2001. The dramatic increase in tractive effort and adhesion of the AC traction motors compared to the previous DC traction locos exceeded all expectations and revolutionised diesel operations in Queensland. A further 11 were ordered in March 2003 and entered service in 2004–05.[4][5]
They are primarily used on the Blackwater and Moura coal networks, and on phosphate trains between Mount Isa and Townsville. All were included in the transfer of Queensland Rail's freight business to Aurizon in 2012.[6]
In February 2004, Pacific National ordered 13 GT42CU ACs to commence operations in Queensland. Designated the PN class, they entered service in 2005 and are used on intermodal services on the North Coast line between Brisbane and Cairns.[4][7][8][9][10]
The design evolved into the GT42CU ACe which has different computer system and traction motors.
Fleet
| Operator | Class | Number in class | Road numbers | Built |
| Aurizon | 4000 | 46 | 4001–4049 | 1999–2005 |
| Pacific National | PN | 13 | PN001-PN013 | 2005 |
| Progress Rail | PRA | 1 | PRQ001 (Was 4017) | 2024 |
| One Rail Australia | ORQ | 1 | ORQ026 (was 4026) | 2024 |
Related Development
- UGL Rail C44aci, standard gauge competitor
- Downer EDI Rail GT46C, standard gauge variant
- Downer EDI Rail GT46C ACe, standard gauge successor
- Downer EDI Rail GT42CU ACe, successor
References
- ↑ "QR Orders AC Drive Locomotives and New Coal Wagons" Railway Digest April 1998 p. 11.
- ↑ "Narrow Gauge Big Power – QR's 4000 Class GT42CU Locomotives" Railway Digest May 1998 p. 13.
- ↑ "QR's 4000 class AC Traction units" Railway Digest December 1999 pp. 26, 42.
- 1 2 Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s–2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 428. ISBN 9781921719011.
- ↑ "4000 Class". Railpage. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ↑ EDI/EMD 4000 Class Archived 19 May 2026 at the Wayback Machine Queensland's Rail Interest Group. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ↑ "Pacific National looks north". Railway Gazette. 1 February 2004. Archived from the original on 18 May 2026. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ↑ "New Technology for the Queensland Rail Network". Pacific National. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
- ↑ EDI/GM PN Class Archived 27 October 2020 at the Wayback Machine Queensland's Rail Interest Group. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
- ↑ "PN Class". Railpage. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2014.