UGL Rail C44aci

C44aci
Australian Railroad Group AC4305 at North Dynon in September 2009
hideType and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder UGL Rail, Broadmeadow Model GE Transportation C44aci Build date 2008-present Total produced 158
hideSpecifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Length 22.0 m (72 ft 2 in) Loco weight 140 tonnes (high) 138 tonnes (med) 134 tonnes (low) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover GE 7FDL-16 Alternator GE GMG192 Traction motors GE 5GEB30 Cylinders 16
hidePerformance figures Maximum speed 115 km/h (71 mph) Power output 3,184 kW (4,270 hp) (pre-2009 units) 3,244 kW (4,350 hp) (post-2009 units) Tractive effort 535 kN (120,000 lbf)
hideCareer Operators Aurizon Centennial Coal Rail First Asset Management Fletchers International Exports Mineral Resources Pacific National Number in class 158 Current owner Aurizon Centennial Coal Rail First Asset Management Watco Australia Fletchers International Exports Mineral Resources Pacific National Qube Holdings Disposition 158 in service

The C44aci is a model of Australian heavy duty diesel electric locomotive designed by UGL Rail and built at the Broadmeadow factory. It is operated by a number of rail freight operators. The design is based on the National Rail NR class but with some modifications and upgraded features.

Design[]

The C44aci was designed by UGL Rail in response to a tender issued by Pacific National, who required a locomotive to match the performance of their existing 90 class units when hauling heavy coal traffic, while still having the ability to work high speed intermodal services, with the change between applications to be simple.^[1]

The existing UGL Rail Cv40-9i (NR class) locomotive design was used as a base, but with alterations including:^[2]

• Higher horsepower prime mover
• Smaller main alternator
• Enlarged radiator size now overhangs the walkway at the number 2 end to cope with the more powerful engine
• AC traction equipment allowing an increase in haulage capacity
• Addition of inline refuelling fittings
• Isolated cab for reduced noise and vibration
• A new design of fabricated bogies
• Increased use of modular construction
• Revised transition curves in the underframe to reduce the probability of fatigue cracking
• Various body and cab modifications
• The use of the Nathan K5UL-AU-LS air horn on a custom manifold, as opposed to the NR class' Kockumsonics MKT-75 horn, which, because they were cast in thermoplastic, are very fragile and tend to foul a lot.

The NR class design had also been used as a basis for the AC traction QR National 5000 class introduced in 2005. This design did not meet the requirements for Pacific National due to the heavy axle load, acceptable on the heavily laid coal routes, but not on lines outside of the Hunter Valley.^[2]

To reduce the weight, the level of fuel carried is altered: for intermodal applications the fuel level is 7,300 litres, for coal applications that permit higher axle loads the fuel level is increased to 13,500 litres, with an intermediate fuel level of 10,750 litres also available. These limits are enforced during refuelling by a float switch in the tank, the permitted level being set by a key switch with an indication displayed in the cab if the limits are breached.^[2] The provision of inline refuelling permits the topping up of the tanks in transit from a separate tank wagon behind the locomotives.

The older GE Transportation FDL series engine was chosen instead of the newer GE Evolution Series engine used in the United States, due to the greater height not fitting in the restricted Australian loading gauge,^[1] and there being no legal requirement to meet stringent Tier 2 emissions standards which drove adoption of the GEVO series elsewhere. The C44aci has one inverter per traction motor, this differs from competing Downer EDi Rail locomotives that have only one inverter per bogie. A further difference between the C44aci and the competing GT46C ACe is the lack of steering bogies to improve tracking properties and reduce the rate of wheel wear, instead fixed-frame pedestal-type bogies are used where all three axles are always held parallel.^[1]

Simulation work showed that three C44aci locomotives could equal the performance of 90 class units in heavy mode, while in intermodal mode could outperform the older NR class units by 20% on services, with the same sectional running times and in some areas a slight reduction in fuel consumed due to the increased adhesion resulting from AC traction.^[1] However the C44aci was outperformed by the comparable GT46C ACe locomotive produced by Downer EDi Rail in back-to-back trials performed by RailCorp on the steeply graded Cowan Bank.^[3][4]

By operator[]

9324 on a Sadliers transfer at Spotswood.

Pacific National 92 Class at East Maitland

Triple-header 92 class coal train crossing the Hunter River at Singleton in April 2012

No 2 end of Pacific National 9307 at Taree in May 2013

Cab view of Pacific National 9307 in May 2013

As of May 2018, 66 were in service.^[5]

Pacific National[]

The first of the Pacific National 92 class was officially launched at Port Waratah on 3 October 2008.^[6] All 15 units entered service on coal trains in the Hunter Region and were trialed on Brisbane—Melbourne freights and return.^[7][8] In 2012 Pacific National took delivery of six 93 class C44aci locomotives optimised for intermodal freight transport between Melbourne and Brisbane.^[9][10] On 17 January 2013, Pacific National placed an order for another two (later expanded to five) 93 class locomotives.^[11] In 2014, Pacific National extended the order of the 93 class to 9324 in which all 24 93 class are in service. The 93s are hardly now used on intermodal freight trains between Melbourne and Brisbane and to Perth, although occasionally, they haul The Overland from Melbourne to Adelaide, supplementing the NRs' roster. Now, most of the 93 Class are used on coal trains in the Hunter and Blue Mountains, occasionally visiting down south.^[12][13]

In 2021 Pacific National ordered 6 new C44aci locomotives, to be numbered 9325 through to 9330.

Aurizon[]

Australian Railroad Group AC4305 at North Dynon in September 2009

No 2 end of QR National 6001 at North Dynon in September 2009

In July 2008, QR National subsidiary Australian Railroad Group ordered eight locomotives, with options for 16 more units. Intended for use on their Western Australian standard gauge lines, they were delivered between August and September 2009.^[14] These units feature updated electronic control and engine management systems, and had their entry to service delayed by weight issues, with steel body side doors being replaced with lighter aluminium substitutes.^[15] Since entering service they have been used on the Koolyanobbing to Esperance iron ore service, in the full fuel load (139 tonnes) configuration.^[15]

In January 2009, QR National ordered twelve 6000 class units for use on coal haulage.^[16][17] The first was delivered in October 2009.^[18] These units were to be fitted with electronically controlled pneumatic braking equipment, for operation with similarly Hunter Valley Coal wagons.^[15][19]

QR National subsequently ordered an additional 12 locomotives specifically to operate its Coal trains. The first nine were delivered in 2012 as the 6020 class with the final three diverted to Australian Railroad Group as the ACC class.^[20][21]

Aurizon purchased five new 6040 class units were built in 2017–18.^[22]

Aurizon ordered 6 new C44aci locomotives in 2021, to be numbered 6046 through to 6051.

Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia (CFCLA)/RailFirst Asset Management[]

In 2012-13, CFCLA took delivery of 10 C44aci locomotives as the CF class, numberered CF4402-CF4408, CF4410-4412. CF4412 was named Black Caviar and painted in salmon pink, silver and black (which were the racing colours of Black Caviar), as opposed to the standard blue, silver and yellow that CFCLA usually used. In 2016, two (CF4401 & CF4409) were sold to Aurizon, and subsequently being repainted into their 'Canary' scheme, although kept their original numbers. All remaining ten were included in the transfer of assets to Anchorage Capital Partners in January 2020, and subsequent rebranding as RailFirst Asset Management in early 2021. 4 more were ordered in 2021, and as of early July 2021, have not yet been delivered.

Centennial Coal (Southern Shorthaul Railroad)[]

In 2012, Centennial Coal took delivery of seven locomotives for their coal operations.^[23][24] These are operated by Southern Shorthaul Railroad.

One Rail Australia[]

Locomotive GWU002 at Belair, South Australia operating a Grain service for Genesee & Wyoming Australia

Between April and June 2012, One Rail Australia (then Genesee & Wyoming Australia) took delivery of nine locomotives for use on Adelaide to Darwin services.^[25][26] A further two were built but not delivered.^[27] One Rail Australia took delivery of nine locomotives for use on Adelaide to Darwin services. A further two were built but not delivered. All 30 of the former Glencore XRN class are now owned by One Rail Australia, and are progressively being re-painted into their colour scheme. In 2021 ORA ordered 3 new GWU class locomotives.

Mineral Resources[]

UGL Rail had four units on the production line for Consolidated Rail Leasing as the CRL class before the order was cancelled. They were completed and retained by UGL as lease units. They along with two units completed for but not delivered to Genesee & Wyoming Australia were sold to Mineral Resources as the MRL class. The first entered service in June 2014 hauling iron ore train from Mount Walton to Kwinana.^[27][28]

Fletcher International Exports[]

In 2014, three were completed for Fletcher International Exports in attractive red and blue livery to haul the Fletcher's container service from Dubbo to Port Botany. Trains are run by Southern Shorthaul Railroad. A fourth unit (FIE004) was ordered in 2021.

Crawfords Freightlines[]

PHC001 at Cowan in 2016.

Two locomotives have become the permanent motive power for the Sandgate to Port Botany container train operated by Crawfords Freightlines, replacing the leased C class locomotives as the motive power.^[29][30]

Qube Holdings[]

Qube announced the purchase of an unspecified number of locomotives in March 2020, for delivery over 18 months.^[31] As at 16th of June 2021 at least 3 locomotives are built, with another 4 under construction.

Fleet[]

Related development[]

• National Rail NR class, ancestor model Cv40-9i
• QR National 5000 class, ancestor model C40aci
• QR National 5020 class, heavy haul variant model C44acHi
• Downer EDI Rail GT46C ACe, principal competitor

References[]

• Craig Matthews. "Development of the Cv43ACI Locomotive". Conference on Railway Engineering Presentations and Papers. Railway Technical Society of Australasia. Archived from the original on 18 February 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2010.

External links[]

• 360 panorama of the cabin, as seen from the driver's seat
• Rail Express Article - Up close: UGL Rail's C44ACi locomotive