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GT42CU ACe
QR National 4140 at Downer Rail, Maryborough in September 2010
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Downer Rail, Maryborough Model Electro-Motive Diesel GT42CU ACe Build date 2007–2013 Total produced 132
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co'Co' Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Length 22.0 m (72 ft 2 in) Loco weight 120 t (120 long tons; 130 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover EMD 12N-710G3B-ES Engine type V12 Diesel engine Alternator EMD TA12-QBE/CA7C Traction motors EMD A2916-8 Cylinders 12 Cylinder size 11.63 L (710 cu in) Loco brake Dynamic Train brakes NYAB/Knorr-Bremse CCB II
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph) Power output 2,460 kW (3,300 hp)
Career Operators Aurizon East Coast Rail Pacific National Number in class 132 Numbers 4101–4140, 4153–4167 ACN4141–ACN4152, ACN4168–ACN4175 8301–8352 GWN001–GWN005 Disposition 132 in service

The GT42CU ACe is a model of diesel electric locomotives manufactured by EDi Rail, Maryborough between 2007 and 2013 under licence from Electro-Motive Diesel, for use on narrow gauge railways in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

History

The GT42CU ACe is an evolution of the GT42CU AC being fitted with a different computer system and traction motors.

In 2006, Queensland Rail placed an initial order for 15, with a further orders increasing the number to 75. These were designated as the 4100 class. Following Queensland Rail purchasing Australian Railroad Group in June 2006, 19 were transferred to Western Australia and reclassified as the ACN class, but retain their original numbers.

The Queensland based units are primarily used on the Blackwater, Moura and Newlands coal networks, and on phosphate trains between Mount Isa and Townsville. The Western Australian-based units are primarily engaged hauling iron ore trains. All were included in the transfer of Queensland Rail's freight business to QR National in July 2010.

Pacific National placed an order for 13 units for coal haulage on the Blackwater system that later grew to 46. These were designated as the 83 class.

In July 2012, One Rail Australia placed an order for five for use in South Australia. Designated the GWN class, they operated on the Arrium iron ore railway to Whyalla Steelworks. They were transferred to Queensland after being displaced by 5 Queensland Railways 2250 class locomotives returning to Australia from South Africa.

A further six were built as a speculative order for Locomotive Demand Power as the LDP class. One was painted in Pacific National livery and numbered 8347 in anticipation of a lease that failed to eventuate, the others were numbered LDP016-LDP020 with all six placed in store in Maryborough. All were included in the sale of Downer Rail's locomotive business to Progress Rail Services and in December 2017, were moved to Redbank Railway Workshops entering service as 8347–8352 with Pacific National in April and May 2018.

Fleet

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Related Development

• UGL Rail C44aci
• Downer EDI Rail GT46C ACe
• Downer EDI Rail GT42CU AC

References

1. 4100 Class Queensland's Rail Interest Group
2. 4100 Class Railpage
3. ACN Class Railpage
4. 83 Class Railpage
5. "GWA boosts locomotive fleet". Rail Express. 18 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014.
6. GWN Class Railpage
7. "The new Downer/EDI GWN Class locomotives" Railway Digest May 2013 pages 30–31
8. LDP Class (GT42CU-AC) Railpage
9. "Motive Power Roundup" Motive Power issue 117 May 2018 page 74
10. "LDP Class locomotives become additional 83 Class following Pacific National purchase from Progress Rail" Railway Digest June 2018 page 17

• Aurizon diesel locomotives
• Diesel locomotives of Queensland
• Diesel locomotives of Western Australia
• Pacific National diesel locomotives
• Queensland Rail locomotives
• Railway locomotives introduced in 2007
• 3 ft 6 in gauge locomotives of Australia
• Diesel–electric locomotives of Australia