QR National 5000 class explained

QR National 5000 class
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Builder:UGL Rail, Broadmeadow
Buildmodel:General Electric C40aci
Builddate:2005 - 2007
Uicclass:Co-Co
Length:20.83m (68.34feet)
Width:2.94m (09.65feet)
Height:4.25m (13.94feet)
Locoweight:176 tonnes
Fueltype:Diesel
Fuelcap:9900L
Primemover:GE 7FDL-16
Alternator:GE GMG192
Tractionmotors:GE 5GEB13
Cylindercount:16
Operator:Aurizon
Numinclass:12
Fleetnumbers:5001 - 5012
Firstrundate:May 2005
Currentowner:Aurizon
Disposition:12 in service

The 5000 class are a class of diesel locomotive built by United Group Rail, Broadmeadow for QR National between 2005 and 2007.

History

In 2004, QR National ordered twelve 5000 class locomotives from United Group Rail. They were a heavy haulage version of the NR class and were purchased to haul coal trains from Mount Arthur coal mine, Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Each locomotive utilises the 3169kw (4250 hp) General Electric 7FDL16 power plant also seen in American locomotives such as the Dash 9. GE 5GEB13 AC traction motors transfer this power to the rail through bogies in the Co-Co formation. The 5000 class weighs approximately 180 tonnes.[6]

In 2012 QR National was rebranded as Aurizon and a number of 5000 class locomotives were repainted into the new yellow Aurizon livery. 5000 class locomotives are often seen operating in Distributed Power mode with one unit at the front of the train and one at the rear either with other 5000 class units or 5020 class units. A third locomotive is required for heavier trains.[7]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.ugllimited.com/Asset/cms/Investor_Briefings/2005/15_Sep_2005.pdf Annual Report June 2005
  2. Book: Clark, Peter. An Australian Locomotive Guide. 2012. Rosenberg Publishing. 9781921719554. 280.
  3. http://www.qrig.org/motive-power/locomotives/diesel/qrnational/ugl-railge-5000-class UGL Rail/GE 5000 Class
  4. http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/5000-class 5000 Class
  5. http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=locomotives&class=5000&orgstate=Q&type=Diesel-Electric 5000 Class
  6. Web site: Australia's 5000 Class Locomotive. 2022-01-31. wearerailfans.com. en. 31 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220131140743/https://wearerailfans.com/c/article/aurizon-5000-class. live.
  7. Web site: Australia's 5000 Class Locomotive. 2022-01-31. wearerailfans.com. en. 31 January 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220131140743/https://wearerailfans.com/c/article/aurizon-5000-class. live.