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New South Wales 80 class locomotive

From Alfawiki
Commonwealth Engineering
IndustryLocomotive manufacturing
Headquarters
Australia
ProductsDiesel locomotives

The 80 class diesel locomotives were constructed by Commonwealth Engineering (Comeng) for the Public Transport Commission from 1978 through 1983.

History

Developed by Comeng, the Australian licensee of Alco, the 80 class represented an advancement over the earlier 442 class. These locomotives were notable as the first in Australia to feature factory-installed cab air conditioning and body panels made from fibreglass. Additionally, they were the initial New South Wales locomotives delivered without buffing plates. The fibreglass panels were pre-tinted, minimizing the need for repainting and helping maintain the original color schemes for extended periods.

An initial procurement of 30 units was supplemented by an additional 20. The first series sported an Indian red paint scheme, while the subsequent batch reversed this with a yellow front end complemented by Indian red side panels. Originally assigned to the Main South line, their deployment later expanded to routes between Lithgow and Broken Hill, eventually covering freight and passenger services across all principal lines.

Following installation of radios compatible with Australian National systems, locomotives numbered 8034 through 8045 began operating through to Adelaide in 1990 alongside Australian National AL class units. This cross-border service ceased in May 1991 due to union-imposed restrictions within South Australia.

With the establishment of National Rail, all remaining units were transferred to this national operator in July 1995, extending their range to include Melbourne, where they primarily served as trailing engines. After newer NR class locomotives entered service, many 80 class units returned to FreightCorp by January 1997; surplus locomotives were placed into storage, with thirty stored by April that year. In September 1997, two locomotives underwent trials at BHP's Port Kembla steelworks. Upon FreightCorp’s privatization in February 2002, all units became part of Pacific National’s fleet.

In March 2003, twenty-four locomotives were sold to Silverton Rail, joining unit 8043 which had been sold earlier in 1999. Four units received refurbishment and were reclassified as 80s1, 80s4, 80s2, and 80s6; a fifth was reinstated into service in 2010. While some have been dismantled, others remain stored at sites including Broken Hill, Parkes, and Werris Creek. Unit 8049 was acquired by Southern Shorthaul Railroad and continues active operations within New South Wales.

Currently, Pacific National operates units 8011, 8025, 8033, and 8046 primarily for shunting duties at Keswick, Broken Hill, and Morandoo yards. An additional ten locomotives are held in storage at facilities such as Chullora and Werris Creek.

As of 2024, unit 8026 is operated by SCT Logistics sporting its former Greentrains livery.

Fleet status

Key: In service Stored Preserved Under Restoration Under Repair Scrapped
Locomotive Serial No Completed Current Owner Livery Status Notes
8001 C-6106-1 Nov 78 Silverton Rail FreightCorp blue Scrapped
8002 C-6106-2 Nov 78 FreightCorp PTC Indian red Scrapped
8003 C-6106-3 Dec 78 Pacific National PTC Indian red Scrapped
8004 C-6106-4 Nov 78 Pacific National FreightCorp blue Stored
8005 C-6106-5 Jan 79 Pacific National Pacific National Rural & Bulk Stored
8006 C-6106-6 Jan 79 Goodwin Alco Group PTC Indian red Preserved
... ... }

Additional resources

Locomotive Serial No Completed Current Owner Livery Status Notes
Locomotive Serial No Completed Current Owner Livery Status Notes
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