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 XRB561 at South Dynon in June 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Pacific National XRB class are a class of diesel locomotive B units built by Pacific National at South Dynon Locomotive Depot.
History
The XRB class were built by Pacific National at its South Dynon Locomotive Depot. They are mechanically similar to the XR class, but are B units without driving cabs. The EMD 16-645E3C engines were sourced second-hand from North America.
They were built to operate as booster units on standard gauge interstate freight trains between Melbourne and Perth, and has to be led by a locomotive with a conventional driving cab.
The XRB's original concept was to have these units remote controlled from the ground, but due to safety risks the plan was scrapped and they became mid unit power only.
These units do not have hostler controls for moving them around yards and depots, only being fitted with a dead engine device and park-brake button. As of October 2022, all three are stored at Progress Rail's Port Augusta Workshops.
References
- ^ Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s - 2010. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 345. ISBN 9781921719011.
- TOC Waiver #1973 – Operation of XRB class locos on ARTC network Australian Rail Track Corporation
- Australia Wide Fleet List Motive Power issue 144 November 2022 page 69
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