New South Wales 80 class
Brand new 8008 heads north through Thornleigh in 1979
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Comeng, Granville Serial number Alco C-6103-01 to C-6103-30 Alco C-6121-01 to C-6121-20 Model CE615A Build date 1978-1983 Total produced 50
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter 1,016 mm (40 in) Length Over headstocks: 17.73 m (58 ft 2 in) Over coupler pulling faces: 19.00 m (62 ft 4 in) Width 2.968 m (9 ft 9 in) Height 4.240 m (13 ft 11 in) Axle load 20.167 t (19.85 long tons; 22.23 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 5,400 L (1,188 imp gal; 1,427 US gal) Lubricant cap. 750 L (165 imp gal; 198 US gal) Coolant cap. 980 L (216 imp gal; 259 US gal) Sandbox cap. 0.570 m3 (20 cu ft) Prime mover Alco 12-251CE RPM range 400-1050 Engine type Four-stroke V12 diesel Aspiration Turbocharged Alternator Mitsubishi 2-B2-288P-01 Traction motors Mitsubishi MB-451 BVR, 6 of Cylinders 12 Cylinder size 229 mm × 267 mm (9.0 in × 10.5 in)
Performance figures Maximum speed 130 km/h (81 mph) Power output Gross: 1,604 kW (2,150 hp) For traction: 1,492 kW (2,000 hp) Tractive effort Continuous: 273.00 kN (61,373 lbf)
Career Operators Public Transport Commission Number in class 50 Numbers 8001-8050 First run 12 December 1978 Preserved 8006 Current owner Pacific National Qube Logistics SCT Logistics Southern Shorthaul Railroad Disposition 12 in service, 1 preserved, 10 stored, 27 scrapped

The 80 class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Comeng for the Public Transport Commission between 1978 and 1983.

History

The 80 class were built by Alco's Australian licensee Comeng as an evolution of the 442 class. The 80 class were the first locomotives in Australia to feature factory-fitted cab air-conditioning and fibreglass body panels and the first in New South Wales delivered without buffing plates.^[1] To reduce the need for repainting, the fibreglass panels were pre-coloured hence the class retained their original liveries for longer than had previously been the case.^[2][3]

An initial order of 30 was followed by an additional order for 20. The first order were delivered in Indian red livery while the second received the reverse livery with a yellow nose and Indian red wings. They were initially introduced on the Main South line before being transferred to the western region for use between Lithgow and Broken Hill.^[2] They quickly spread and regularly hauled freight and passenger services on all main lines.

After being fitted with Australian National radios, 8034-45 commenced operating through to Adelaide with Australian National ALs operating into New South Wales in 1990.^[4] Through working ceased in May 1991 when the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen placed a ban on the 80 class in South Australia.^[5]

Following the formation of National Rail, all were reallocated to the national operator in July 1995.^[6] This saw their sphere of operation extended to Melbourne, albeit as trailing locomotives.^[7]

Following National Rail taking delivery of the NR class locomotives, the 80s began to return to FreightCorp in January 1997. As they were surplus to requirements, some were placed in store.^[8] By April 1997, 30 were in store.^[9] In September 1997, 8015 and 8039 were loaned to BHP as a trial on services at their Port Kembla steelworks. All were included in the sale of FreightCorp to Pacific National in February 2002.

In March 2003, 24 of the class were sold to Silverton Rail joining 8043 that had been sold to them in 1999.^[10] Four (26, 37, 44 & 49) were returned to traffic as 80s1, 80s4, 80s2 & 80s6. All were included in the sale of the business to Coote Industrial and later Qube Logistics. A fifth (8030) was returned to service in 2010 while the other four resumed their original identities. A few of the others have been scrapped with the remainder in store at Broken Hill, Parkes and Werris Creek.^[11][12]

Pacific National operate 4 mainly as shunters at Keswick, Broken Hill and Morandoo with 10 in store at Chullora and Werris Creek.

Fleet status