Re: Status of the ELS

[David Bromage <dbromage@omni.com.au>]

Maurie Daly wrote:
> The article is a little vague on exactly what is being done.
> Completely re furbished new engines , upgraded Dash-8 computer technology
> "what ever that means", new gear sets , still ideal for both pass and freight.
> Not clear whether the narrow guage traction motors are being replaced,although
> to get significantly more tractive effort than the current pathetic 197 kn you
> would need bigger ones , at least NR type or the big GE752 type like BHPS
> CM-40s have got.

It's not pathetic when you consider its original design purpose. Goninan
designed the loco for semi-fast passenger trains from Sydney to
Brisbane, the HPT. SRA cancelled the project in favour of more XPTs, but
Goninan revived the design when AN wanted a faster locomotive for both
passenger and fast freight use.

The ELs should be hauling GSR trains, not freight.

Cheers
David