No less that four GE model C44aci series locomotives, namely ACD6074, ACD6062, ACB4406, ACD6047 & ACD6064 lead a near four hour late Aurizon/TGE intermodal service 3SP1 through the 40KMh speed restriction at Condobolin, in western NSW.
ACD6074 is brand new and on its first revenue service train, it was handed over on the 19th of September at Newcastle NSW and then completed its trials in the NSW Hunter region. ACD6075, already completed, will be the last of the order and is expected to pass through Condobolin next week, probably on 3SP1.
Although unmanned, Condobolin railway station, which opened on the 01st of March 1898 and is still officially "open" today with only the weekly "Outback Explorer" train to and from Broken Hill NSW the only passenger train stopping here. NSW TrainLink used to have an appointed ticket agent in town, I think it was the local newsagent, but these days they encourage all ticket purchases to be made via the internet.
Originally a timber building in 1901, the structure was replaced with the current building seen in the video, in 1935. It was said, although not confirmed, the original timber station building actually burnt down.
In the foreground is the 964 metre Loop Line, which is still in use and sees regular usage from time to time. Condobolin once had a locomotive depot in the days of steam plus a carriage shed, coal stage, loco shed, 50 foot manual turntable, Stock Siding and Stock Yards and a train crew barracks.
The only surviving remnants of the glory days are the Loading Bank, the Goods Siding, five ton hand crane and the crew barracks. The crew barracks houses a local railway and farm machinery museum (Condobolin Railway Museum) but is now permanently closed as of early 2023.
Remnants of the former Fuel Siding, on the Down Main and Up Main side opposite the Stock Yards, at the top of the yard, Sydney end, can also be seen today. The fuel products pipe can still be seen running under the main line.
The GE model C44aci series and made by United Goninan Limited at Newcastle NSW under license from GE Transportation, in the USA. The original design concept is derived from the "NR" class GE Cv40-9i model built between 1996 & 1998.
Over 200 of the C44aci series have been built at Newcastle NSW by UGL for various operators. Powered by a four stroke turbo charged GE 7FDL-16EFI prime mover delivering BHP 4,500hp, and a Net THP of 4,356hp. Published track speed is 115KMh.
The locomotives have three operating weights, based on maximum fuel levels for each application, they being 7,300 litres for intermodal at 134 tonnes, 10,750 litres for intermediate and 13,500 litres for coal working (Hunter Valley NSW) at 139 tonnes. Fuel level selection is controlled by an electronic switch function in the cab to prevent over filling.
The three different classes in the video are all General Electric C44aci model locomotives with some variations, the "ACB" class were built in 2011, the "ACC" class manufactured from 2012 and the "ACD" class from 2022. The "ACB" class were built for QR National as the "AC" class (AC4401-AC4406) and reclassed as "ACB" by Aurizon.
Did you know? The steam engine watering stand at the end of the platform was built in 1912 by Henry Vale at Auburn NSW. Henry was born in London in 1835 came to Australia from London in 1855. He was a very successful engineer and established a business in Sydney building locomotives and railway equipment.
Henry had a partnership with William Lacy, after the death of Lacy the company was reformed as Henry Vale & Sons in 1905 and after Henry retired the business was known as H.J & F. J Vale.
1258hrs on Wednesday 01st of October 2025.
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