Скачать или смотреть NR59, NR14 & NR94 Condobolin West NSW. Wed 09th Oct 2024

NR59, NR14 & NR94 are pretty much on time as they pass through Condobolin West bound for Perth WA with Pacific National's express intermodal service 3SP7, no doubt some time will gained by the time the crew change over at Broken Hill NSW.

NR59 is fresh out of the workshops having received an overhaul and looks quite sharp. Loading is somewhat less that usual and is far short of the 1,800 metre long train expected on this service.

"NR" class locomotive details:
The NR class are designated GE model Cv40-9i series using imported American technology from General Electric USA with the locomotives built by Goninan & Co under license from GE. Powered by a four stroke V16 turbo charged GE 7FDL-16 prime mover delivering just over 4,000hp and a published track speed of 115KMh.

Nearing 30 years of age the NR class have been a success story and have proved to be a most reliable locomotive, however, in recent years some reliability issues have surfaced as the locomotives age. Pacific National started a fleet overhaul programme in June 2006 which will probably give them an extended life of another 10 to 15 years.

High speed express freight locomotives have came along way technology wise since the introduction of the NR class. GE's latest product is the C44aci series, although based on the Cv40-9i series concept, vast improvements in technology and fuel efficiencies have been made.

A total of 117 NR class remain in service, except for NR33 which was written off and scrapped due to the level crossing accident damage incurred at Lismore VIC on the 25th of May 2006. NR3 was rebuilt as NR121 and NR80 also rebuilt as NR122 after reconstruction after severe accident damage. NR41 & NR79 were also scrapped after the 31st December 2023 Barrier Highway level crossing accident.

To conserve fuel the NR class have a three stage horsepower setting activated in the driver cab, this is to provide only the power needed to the tonnage hauled at the time. Settings are: 2,850hp, 3,560hp and 4,020hp.

The locomotives weigh 132 tonnes and have a 13,500 litre capacity for long distance non stop running between NSW and Western Australia across the famous Nullarbor Plain on the Trans Australia railway. However, a refuelling stop and crew change is made at Cook SA in each direction.

NR59 was delivered new on the 31st of January 1998 and NR14 on the 28th of February 1997 and NR94 handed over new on the 13th of June 1997. All three are now approaching 30 years of age and have covered millions of kilometres.

0955hrs on Wednesday 09th of October 2024.