Watco Australia WRA Class explained

Watco Australia WRA Class
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Builder:National Railway Equipment Company
Buildmodel:NREC E2250CC
Aarwheels:C-C
Uicclass:Co'Co'
Axleload:15750kg (34,720lb)
Locoweight:94500kg (208,300lb)
Primemover:EMD 12-645E3B
Enginetype:V12 Diesel engine
Alternator:EMD AR10/D14
Tractionmotors:GE761
Maxspeed:100km/h
Poweroutput:2250hp
Tractiveeffort:250kN
Operator:Watco Australia
Numinclass:8
Fleetnumbers:WRA001 - WRA008

The Watco Australia WRA Class is an Australian diesel-electric locomotive, built by the National Railway Equipment Company in the United States for use on Watco Australia's services in Queensland.

History

In 2018, Watco Australia announced the order of 8 of the WRA Class locomotives for use on the Queensland Rail network. They are equipped with a V12 diesel prime mover, rated at 1.6MW. The locomotive is similar in specification to local units, such as the 2300 class.[1] They have been modified to work in multi with Watco's other motive power.

Delivery to Australia

On 16 August 2019, Watco Australia announced that the first two units were being delivered to Australia.[2] WRA001 and 002 arrived at The Port of Brisbane on the vessel Tarago on 9 October 2019 and were transferred to Warwick behind QR locomotive 1724.The company began grain and cattle operations with the locos in 2020 after certification and testing.

References

  1. Web site: Specifications revealed for Watco Australia locomotives. 2018-11-27. International Railway Journal. en. 2019-08-16.
  2. Book: The Dispatch July 2019 - Watco Companies. Watco Australia. 2019.

External links