Freight Australia V Class (diesel)

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Victorian V Class

Power type	Diesel-electric
Builder	EDI Rail Somerton and Cardiff
Model	GT46C
Total production	1
UIC classification	Co-Co
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)
Length	22 m (72 ft)
Locomotive weight	134 tonnes
Engine type	EMD 16-710G3B-ES
Generator	EMD AR11 PBEH
Traction motors	6x EMD D87BTRL
Top speed	115 km/h (71 mph)
Power output	3,100 kW (4,200 hp)
Career	Freight Australia, Pacific National
Class	V
Number in class	1
Number	V544
Delivered	July 2002
Current owner	Pacific National

The V class was introduced by Freight Australia in 2002 to replace two G class locomotives that were written-off in 1999.^[1] The class consists of one locomotive, numbered V544, and is currently owned by Pacific National.

The class came about after the head-on collision between G517 and G518 in Ararat on 26 November 1999. This crash resulted in serious damage to the two locomotives, which was assessed as being to costly to repair. Freight Australia instead opted to use the insurance payout to purchase a new locomotive.

EDi Rail offered Freight Australia an extension of the Westrail order for the General Motors Electro-Motive Division GT46C, 19 of which had been delivered between 1997 and 1998 as the Q class.

The locomotive was duly constructed, and delivered to Freight Australia in early 2002. Rather than retain classification as a member of the Q class, it was entered into service as the V class. It is named for former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer.

The locomotive initially operated standard gauge interstate freight duties, such as the Specialised Container Transport service from Melbourne to Perth. Since late 2007 it has been moved onto the Leigh Creek to Port Augusta coal train in South Australia, servicing the Playford B and Northern power stations.^[2] It is rumoured that this move was effected due to V544's frequent reliability issues - on the Leigh Creek-Port Augusta run the locomotive is close to service centres at Port Augusta and Dry Creek, as opposed to being a large distance from help on the mostly single-track line to Perth.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Vicsig: V class information
• Locopage: V class information

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