Commonwealth Railways CL class
Australian Railroad Group CLs at Lara
in September 2006
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderClyde Engineering, Granville
ModelAT26C (CL), AT26C-2M (CLF)
AT26HC-2M (CLP)
Build date1970-1972
Total produced17
RebuilderMorrison Knudsen Australia
Rebuild date1993
Number rebuilt17
Specifications
Configuration:
  UICCo-Co
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
BogiesClyde Engineering Hi-Ad
Wheel diameter1,016 mm (40.0 in)
Length19.58 m (64 ft 3 in)
Axle load21.5t (CL/CLF),
Loco weight129t (CL/CLF) 131t (CLP)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity10,230 L (2,250 imp gal; 2,700 US gal) (CL/CLF)
11,360 L (2,500 imp gal; 3,000 US gal) (CLP)
Lubricant cap.870 L (190 imp gal; 230 US gal)
Coolant cap.1,115 L (245 imp gal; 295 US gal)
Sandbox cap.340 L (75 imp gal; 90 US gal)
Prime moverEMD 16-645E3 (CL)
Electro-Motive Diesel 16-645E3C (CLF/CLP)
RPM range315-900
Engine typeTwo-stroke V16 diesel
AspirationTurbocharged
AlternatorAR10A4
Traction motorsEMD D77 (CL), EMD D78 (CLF/CLP)
Cylinders16
Performance figures
Maximum speed130 km/h (81 mph) (CL/CLF)
140 km/h (87 mph) (CLP)
Power output2,237 kW (3,000 hp) (CL)
2,460 kW (3,300 hp) (CLF/CLP)
Career
Number in class17
NumbersCL1-CL17
DeliveredJanuary 1970
First run9 February 1970
PreservedCL17 (CLP10)
Current ownerAurizon
Southern Shorthaul Railroad
RailPower
Streamliners Australia
Disposition10 in service, 2 stored, 1 under repair, 1 preserved, 2 scrapped, 1 pending scrapping

The CL class is a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville for the Commonwealth Railways in several batches between 1970 and 1972. The class was the last in the world to be built with the Electro-Motive Diesel bulldog nose but differed from previous builds in having a mansard roof.[1]

Construction

Australian National CL10 at Parkeston in August 1987

In 1968, Commonwealth Railways placed an order for five 2237 kW locomotives with Clyde Engineering to operate services on the Trans-Australian Railway from Port Pirie to Kalgoorlie. They were mechanically similar to the Western Australian L class of 1967. The initial design was to have a Do-Do wheel arrangement and a USA style EMD FP45 cab. This was later changed to a streamlined carbody and conventional Co-Co wheel arrangement.

History

The first locomotive was completed in January 1970, with two further orders resulting in 17 locomotives being built with the last delivered in October 1972.[1] Their operating sphere was extended through to Perth on Indian Pacific services and for a time in the 1970s they operated through to Lithgow, New South Wales. In July 1975, all were included in the transfer of Commonwealth Railways to Australian National. The CLs began to operate to Alice Springs and Adelaide when these were converted to standard gauge in 1980 and 1983. In 2004, they began to operate to Darwin following this line opening.

Remanufacturing

In August 1992, Australian National awarded Morrison Knudsen Australia a contract to remanufacture the CLs at its Whyalla factory.[2] As part of the deal, Morrison Knudsen purchased the locomotives and leased them back to Australian National for 12 years. Seven were rebuilt as CLFs to operate freight services and ten as CLPs with head end power to operate the Indian Pacific, Ghan, and Overland passenger services.[3]

The rebuilding involved stripping back to the frame, with everything except for the nose section and monocoque frame removed. Changes included the EMD 645E3 engines being replaced with overhauled EMD 645E3C engines imported from Morrison Knudsen in the US, the original main alternators were rebuilt from AR10/A4-D14 to the AR10/A9-D14 type, refurbished D78 traction motors replaced the originals along with a new gear ratio, and new MK-LOC microprocessor controls were fitted. The cab was upgraded to modern standards, the brake setup was also changed from twin to single shoe per wheel, and a number of other small changes were made to assist maintenance.[3]

After rebuilding, the locomotives did not retain their numbers, for example, the first locomotive converted was CL2 which emerged as CLF1. All were back in service by the end of 1993. The CLFs appeared in the standard Australian National green with yellow data panel, strip and B-end. The CLPs received a unique livery, with a lighter green nose, silver carbody, and a yellow stripe running from the nose to the rear.[3]

In 1994, Australian National's interstate services were transferred to National Rail. The lease with Morrison Knudsen meant the locomotives could only be used on Australian National trains, or a higher lease fee would apply. As a result, the class were not seen on National Rail operated trains, and did not venture onto the wider national standard gauge network until Australian National won hook and pull contracts for private operator SCT Logistics.[3]

From January 1994, CLPs began operating the Indian Pacific from Sydney to Perth, previously New South Wales and Western Australia used their own locomotives on the train when within their state borders.[4] On conversion to standard gauge in 1995, The Overland was also hauled by CLPs.[3] The use of the CLPs on passenger trains came to an end in November 1997, when the passenger operations of Australian National were sold to Great Southern Rail, who contracted National Rail to haul their trains.

CLP15 was involved in the Mount Christie head-on collision in February 1997, being stored for several months before scrapping in November the same year.[3]

Private ownership

In November 1997, the CL class were sold to Australian Southern Railroad with Australian National's remaining freight operations. With the splitting up of the Australian Railroad Group in June 2006, ten went to QR National (later known as Aurizon) and six (CLF5, CLF6 & CLP8, CLP14, CLP16 and CLP17 to Aurizon.[5][6][7][8] The units operated out of Adelaide see regular work on Intermodal, Grain and other Bulk services, an overhaul program commenced in 2020 with CLP8, CLP14 and CLP16 receiving rust repairs, repaints and CCO's.

In mid-2017, a fund-raising campaign was started with the aim of purchasing CLP10 from Apex International and restoring it externally to its as-built condition as CL17. On 21 June 2018, it was announced that the campaign had been successful in raising the $150,000 required to purchase the locomotive for preservation.[9][10]

In mid 2019, it was revealed that Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) had purchased 4 locomotives from the Apex group. These included CLF1, CLF3, CLP9 & CLP12, with 2204 (ex NSWGR 422 class locomotive 42216) also included in the sale. The locomotives were transferred from Goulburn to Cootamundra for reactivation with CLP12 trialing in April 2020. CLF3 was next, entering service soon after. CLF1 was repainted into SSR yellow and black at Seymour during July and August 2020, and soon after was fitted with an ICE radio and approved as a leading unit. In February 2021 CLF3 received an ICE radio and also approved as a leading unit. One Rail Australia reactivated CLP8 in March 2021, with CLP16 following in September 2022 after an electrical fire in May 2020. CLP12 received an ICE radio in June 2021 to enable it to lead services on the ARTC and John Holland networks.

On 8 March 2023, CLF1 was involved in a level crossing accident at Rockview, New South Wales, and was immediately taken to SSR's workshops in Bendigo. It was deemed economically irreparable, and is currently awaiting scrapping.

Aurizon CLP17 "Arabana"

Class list

Key: In Service Stored Preserved Under Restoration Under Repair Scrapped
Original NumberEntered ServiceRenumbered AsRebuild SerialNameCurrent/Last OwnerLiveryStatus
CL1 February 1970 CLP15 93-AN-15 John Gorton (formerly)

Kokatha

Australian National AN Green, Yellow and Silver Scrapped
CL2 March 1970 CLF1 93-AN-1 City of Whyalla (formerly)

Milton Bromwich

Southern Shorthaul Railroad Southern Shorthaul Railroad Accident Damaged, March 2023 Pending scrapping
CL3 April 1970 CLP13 93-AN-13 Nukunu RailPower QRN - Maroon, Yellow and Black Stored (Goulburn)
CL4 May 1970 CLP14 93-AN-14 Barngarla Aurizon ORA Orange & Black with Aurizon Logos In service
CL5 July 1970 CLF4 93-AN-4 RailPower ARG Orange and Black with Railpower Logos On hire to Southern Shorthaul Railroad, accident Damaged, March 2023.
CL6 November 1970 CLF6 93-AN-6 Aurizon GWA Orange & Black In service
CL7 November 1970 CLF3 93-AN-3 Space Ghost Southern Shorthaul Railroad Primer White with SSR Logos In service
CL8 January 1971 CLP17 93-AN-17 Arabana Aurizon GWA Orange & Black with Aurizon Logos In service
CL9 March 1971 CLP8 93-AN-8 Gough Whitlam (formerly)

City of Port Augusta

Aurizon ORA Orange & Black with Aurizon Logos In service
CL10 April 1971 CLP16 93-AN-16 Murunitja Aurizon ORA Orange & Black with Aurizon Logos In Service
CL11 June 1971 CLF2 93-AN-2 RailPower ARG Orange and Black with Railpower Logos In service with Southern Shorthaul Railroad
CL12 July 1971 CLF5 93-AN-5 Aurizon GWA Orange & Black In service
CL13 August 1971 CLP9 93-AN-9 Wiljakali Southern Shorthaul Railroad Auscision Models MkII First revenue service in 10 years on 21st of august 2023
CL14 December 1971 CLP11 93-AN-11 Charlie Jones (formerly)

Kaurna

RailPower QRN - Maroon, Yellow and Black Stored (Goulburn)
CL15 January 1972 CLP12 93-AN-12 Ngadjuri (formerly)

Casper

Southern Shorthaul Railroad Primer White with SSR Logos In service
CL16 March 1972 CLF7 93-AN-7 Aurizon ARG Orange & Black Scrapped
CL17 June 1972 CLP10 93-AN-10 William McMahon (formerly)

Mirning (formerly)

Streamliners Australia Unpainted steel (to be restored to original condition in Commonwealth Railways livery) Preserved/Under Restoration

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 Oberg, Leon (2007). Locomotives of Australia 1854-2007. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 359. ISBN 978-1-877058-54-7.
  2. "Morrison Knudsen Australia and the CLPs" Railway Digest June 1994 pages 16-23
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Antony Fitzgerald (2000). Morrison Knudsen in Australia. Eveleigh Press. pp. 6–43. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  4. "CLP Class Locos Take-Over Indian Pacific Workings" Railway Digest March 1994 page 7
  5. Standard Gauge CL Archived 15 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Chris' Commonwealth Railways Pages
  6. CL Class Archived 31 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Railpage
  7. CLF Class Archived 31 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Railpage
  8. CLP Class Archived 31 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Railpage
  9. Last chance to Save CLP10 Last EMD Streamliner Built in Australia Archived 19 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine GoGetFunding
  10. Streamliners Australia rally to save unique Goulburn loco Archived 19 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine The Goulburn Post

Bibliography

  • Fluck, Ronald E; Marshall, Barry; Wilson, John (1996). Locomotives and Railcars of the Commonwealth Railways. Welland, SA: Gresley Publishing. ISBN 1876216018.

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