Re: [Ausloco] 86 class electrics active again

["Chris Miller" <cmiller@primus.com.au>]

G'day,
Sorry I have been tardy with my mail.

All overhead wiring has been removed from Port Kembla South Yard (NRC),
North Yard (multi-user) and balloon loop as well as Cringila yard (BHP).  I
doubt that the stanchions will be removed as that would cost money and they
are not doing any harm where they are.

As to removal of electrics by stealth, it is a little difficult to point the
finger at the government now that NSW rail freight is comprised of
independent corporatised operators.  I believe that various operators were
approached by Rail Access about retention of the overhead, but none were
interested.

Indeed, BHP were keen to have the overhead removed from Cringila yard as it
greatly complicated the routine maintenance of their yard lighting.  For
anyone interested, the last electric traction in Cringila yard would have
been 86 classes approximately 3 years ago, detaching arriving empty Koppers
tar tankers from Newcastle (when they were still conveyed by FreightCorp).

It is interesting that many years ago the State Rail Authority considered
diesel locomotives cheaper to operate than electrics.  Since then the newer
diesel locos have become more efficient.  And now that all excise has been
removed from diesel fuel for railway use since 1st July, diesel traction
would have to be way cheaper than electric.

Another point to consider is that the size of freight trains has increased
and most now require at least 3 or 4 electric locos (especially coal
trains).  With DC traction the carrying capacity of the overhead limits the
current that can be drawn by multiple locos and they are operated at reduced
power, and are often slower than diesel locos up grades with the same loads.
It also takes more 86 class to haul the same load than 81 or 82 class.

Cheers,
Chris M

-----Original Message-----
From: Stevens <stevens@csis.net.au>
To: Ausloco@egroups.com <Ausloco@egroups.com>
Date: Friday, 21 July 2000 20:26
Subject: Re: [Ausloco] 86 class electrics active again


>Gday,
>Fluor Danials have reclaimed all the overhead from the yards at Pt Kembla
to
>reuse on the Kiama extension.
>Milo.
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Stratton, Chris CP <stratton.chris.cp@bhp.com.au>
>To: <Ausloco@egroups.com>
>Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2000 8:11 AM
>Subject: RE: [Ausloco] 86 class electrics active again
>
>
>> AFAIK there are no plans to remove the stanchions. The overhead probably
>would have stayed as well if the truck hadn't torn it down on the Old Port
>Rd level crossing.
>> Thanks to the advance notice in the original message I photographed
>8617+8614+8646+8635 at PK Inner Harbour yesterday afternoon at 15:45,would
>this have been CA14 or CA16. It doesn't seem that long ago I was chasing
86s
>because they were new to the Illawarra, now they are rare.
>> Regards,
>> Chris.
>>
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Melanie J. Dennis [mailto:meld.asg@netspeed.com.au]
>> > Sent: Wednesday, 19 July 2000 10:52 AM
>> > To: 'Ausloco@egroups.com'
>> > Subject: RE: [Ausloco] 86 class electrics active again
>> >
>> >
>> > Also noticed recently that the catenary wires have been
>> > removed from NRC's area in Port Kembla yard, also from around
>> > portion of the ballon loop (started by the debacle with a
>> > 'tall' truck some time ago).  Maybe Chris S. will know if the
>> > stanchions are to come down as well?  Seems to be sealing the
>> > fate of straight electric traction outside of the
>> > metropolitan area by stealth.
>> > Melanie Dennis
>> > Australian Steam Group
>> > meld.asg@netspeed.com.au
>> >
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Chris Miller [SMTP:cmiller@primus.com.au]
>> > Sent: Wednesday, 19 July, 2000 8:44 AM
>> > To: Ausloco@egroups.com
>> > Subject: [Ausloco] 86 class electrics active again
>> >
>> > Clarence coalies CA15 and CA13 both left Inner Harbour (Port
>> > Kembla) with diesels today but are swapping engines en route,
>> > CA16 and CA14 will both return to Inner Harbour hauled by 4 x
>> > 86 class each this afternoon.  These may be some of the last
>> > electric workings into Clarence as the power at Clarence
>> > balloon loop is likely to be removed soon.
>> >
>>
>> EOM
>>
>> NOTICE - This message contains information intended only for the use of
>the addressee named above.  It may also be confidential and/or privileged.
>If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby
>notified that you must not disseminate, copy or take any action in reliance
>on it.  If you have received this message in error please notify
>postmaster@bhp.com.
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Find long lost high school friends:
>> http://click.egroups.com/1/7080/9/_/_/_/964046832/
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> If you wish to reply to this email, please check the "reply to" address.
>It will automatically reply to Ausloco. If you wish to send a personal
reply
>to the author of this email please remember to change the "reply to"
>address.
>>
>> Rules, guidelines and other Ausloco information:
>> http://www.alphalink.com.au/~dougk/ausloco.html
>>
>> To unsubscribe from Ausloco, send an email to:
>> Ausloco-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>To email plain text is conventional, to add graphics is divine.
>We'll show you how at www.supersig.com.
>http://click.egroups.com/1/6811/9/_/_/_/964175218/
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>If you wish to reply to this email, please check the "reply to" address. It
will automatically reply to Ausloco. If you wish to send a personal reply to
the author of this email please remember to change the "reply to" address.
>
>Rules, guidelines and other Ausloco information:
>http://www.alphalink.com.au/~dougk/ausloco.html
>
>To unsubscribe from Ausloco, send an email to:
>Ausloco-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>




------------------------------------------------------------------------
Find long lost high school friends:
http://click.egroups.com/1/7080/9/_/_/_/964258487/
------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you wish to reply to this email, please check the "reply to" address. It will automatically reply to Ausloco. If you wish to send a personal reply to the author of this email please remember to change the "reply to" address.

Rules, guidelines and other Ausloco information:
http://www.alphalink.com.au/~dougk/ausloco.html

To unsubscribe from Ausloco, send an email to:
Ausloco-unsubscribe@egroups.com