The L-class locos are basically SD-40 (lights). The origanal plan was to
send them here and put narrow gage bogies under them.....but thats side
tracked....no the plan is to use them for something on the mainland.....
I'm trying to explain that they are "light" locos....and won't pull much
on heavy grades.....but all people over here can think is that they are
really heavy (narrow gauge=narrow mind).
Gotta run
........MARK
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> From: John Regan@a1.njt.gov
> To: sightings <sightings@omni.com.au>
> Subject: Tasrail New Colour Scheme on Locos from New Zealand
> Date: Tuesday, August 11, 1998 9:24 AM
>
> I have just seen a photo of the first loco prepared for Tasmania at Tranz
> Rails Hutt Workshops in Wellington.
>
> It was DQ 6007, which was the first of the Queensland 1502 class to be
> rebuilt here. (Tranz Rail purchased 4 1502 class and 21 1460 class locos
> from QR). The rebuild involved the replacement of the high shorthood and
> the replacement with a low short hood and new cab. The old A7 brake as
> removed as were the dual controls. It was replaced with 26L brake and
> "right hand drive" drivers console. The loco is fitted with "bull bars"
in
> front of the short hood.
>
> The all important colour scheme is orange with yellow pinstripping on the
> short hood. Unfortunately the photo I saw only showed the cab and short
> hood but I am told the long hood is all orange but will have to confirm.
> There is no class but is numbered 2001, with numbering on the cab walls
and
> front of the short hood. The front headstock is yellow with black
diagonal
> pinstripping. All the hand rails and bull bars are painted white.
> It is fitted with "ditch lights" which flash when the whistle is sounded.
> The loco is set up for single manning (DOO).
>
> According to the in house staff magazine "Expressions" it is booked to go
> to Tassie in late August along with 10 IB class wagons. These wagons are
> capible of carrying 3x20 foot containers. The other 3 1502 class are
> earmarked for Tassie as well when the overhauls are complete. There is
> some talk about retrofitting them with turbos but no decission has been
> made about this yet as far as I know.
>
> A slightly different note on locos. Tranz Rail announced that it has
> recently purchased 7 L class and 2 D class locos from WestRail. It is
not
> decided yet as to whether they will travel to New Zealand for use or if
> they will be put into service in Australia in anticipation of future
> railway purchases. It is possible that the two D class may go straight
to
> Tassie but nothing confirmed. I have no idea what the fleet numbers are.
>
> I will try to get more info and shipping dates and post them as I get
them.
>
>
> Cheers
>
> John Regan
> Locomotive Engineer
> Tranz Rail
> New Zealand
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>