Re: Freight Australia powers up: Media Release 04/04/2001

[mauried@tpg.com.au (Maurie Daly)]

On Wed, 04 Apr 2001 13:06:14 +1000, Yuri J
Sos<steam4me@dingoblue.net.au> wrote:

>Summary:  
>G from 3000 to 3400 HP (net)
>X from 1800-2000 to 3000 (cascading engines ex G)
>A class power up by 34% (yay<g!>)
>
>
>On FA's page at.....
>
>http://203.43.193.81/FANews/release.cfm?ReleaseID=28
>
>Freight Australia powers up 04/04/2001 
>
>Regional rail specialist Freight Australia is embarking on a
>multi-million dollar program to re-power its locomotive fleet in a
>drive to equip the company for the increasing demands of new and
>existing customers. 
>
>Freight Australia recently announced it had grown revenues from $100
>million to almost $185 million in the 20 months since it acquired the
>former V/Line Freight, and this increase in business has placed a
>strain on resources. Indeed, despite having a fleet of over 100 locos
>the company has had to hire in units over recent months to meet
>requirements. 
>
>To ensure long-term demand can be met, Freight Australia has begun
>work on re-engining its most powerful locos, the 3,300 horsepower
>(3,000 hp net) G-class, with brand new 645F3B model GM power units
>rated at 3,800 hp (3,500 hp net), to provide a 17% increase in
>load-hauling capability. These engines, the most powerful available
>for the G-class, are fully assembled and tested by GM in the United
>States and shipped to Australia complete, for installation by Freight
>Australia’s own skilled workforce at the Dynon workshops. 
>
>In turn the 3,000 hp units from the G-class will be overhauled and
>cascaded down into Freight Australia’s X-class locos, currently rated
>at 1,800-2,000 hp, to provide a 50% increase in haulage capacity. At
>the same time these locos will be fitted with state-of-the-art
>computer management systems, be converted to enable driver-only
>operation and are set up for short-end leading (cab-first operations).
>
>In a further regeneration, seven A-class locos – originally built in
>the 1950s and re-built in the 1980s – will be fitted with high-tech
>traction control systems to boost pulling power by 34%. Thus, in
>effect, the seven-unit A-class fleet will ‘grow’ by the equivalent of
>two extra locos. 
>
>While the comprehensive three-class program will ‘re-birth’ locos at
>contemporary levels of technology and capability, Freight Australia
>has also placed an order for a new generation locomotive, to be known
>as the V-class, to be powered with the latest 4,000 hp 710 GM engine,
>the most powerful two-stroke motor available. This loco is under
>construction by EDI Rail at Somerton and Newcastle and is due for
>delivery next year. 
>
>“The capital improvement program for locomotives will give us the
>ability to haul longer, heavier trains more efficiently and
>cost-effectively, and greatly improve the flexibility of our fleet,”
>said Freight Australia chief executive Marinus van Onselen. 
>
>“If rail is to win the battle against a heavily-assisted road
>transport industry, and get more freight off roads for the benefit of
>the whole community in terms of lower costs, less pollution and
>diminished danger, we have to invest in smarter, better ways of doing
>business. 
>
>“Soon we will have our G-class ideally suited to interstate and
>long-haul operations, our X-class as powerful as the G’s used to be
>and an excellent locomotive for Victorian services, and the A’s
>available for a much wider range of general purpose uses. So we can
>haul bigger trains, or the same trains with less locos, freeing up
>units for other business,” he said. 
>
>“Despite our disagreement with the Victorian government over unjust
>pricing components in its rail access regime, I am optimistic Freight
>Australia will continue to grow – and we need to be prepared. Once
>again we are putting our money where our mouth is and investing in our
>future. It’s just unfortunate the government’s action have the effect
>of discouraging us from investing in the other half of the rail
>success equation, the long-neglected freight track and infrastructure
>– an investment the government itself has not committed itself to. 
>
>“Freight Australia is committed to improving our business by
>generating better service and greater flexibility for our customers,
>and these re-powered locos will ensure we meet that commitment” Mr van
>Onselen said.  
>


Anyone know if the re -engined X locos have been ballasted to increase
their weight.?

X locos are quite light, axle load of only 18.5 tonnes , and putting
3000 HP in a loco like this will not produce a 50% increase in pulling
power, simply because the wheels will slip like mad.
Unless of course the uprated X locos are now super series , even so
they are still too light.
Its still a good idea though,as they will go faster up the hills.

MD