Queensland Railways 3500/3600 class
| Industry | Locomotive manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Maryborough , Australia |
The 3500/3600 class electric locomotives were produced collaboratively by Walkers Limited in Maryborough and ASEA for Queensland Rail during the period from 1986 to 1988.
History
In July 1984, a consortium formed by Clyde Engineering and Walkers Limited won a contract to construct 70 locomotives, with ASEA providing the electrical systems. These units were specifically engineered to haul coal along the electrified Blackwater and Goonyella corridors.
The fabrication and assembly of the locomotive bodies were carried out by Walkers at their Maryborough facility, while Clyde Engineering was responsible for certain electrical components and the commissioning process. The inaugural locomotive, numbered 3501 and named DF Lane, was delivered on 29 May 1986.
Equipped with Locotrol remote control technology, all units could be operated with command locomotives controlling slave units within a train consist. This led to the classification into two subclasses: 19 command units designated as class-3500 capable of leading trains, and 31 slave units classified as class-3600. The locomotive bodies featured fluted stainless steel construction.
The initial order was expanded to 80 locomotives. Following the electrification extension along the North Coast line stretching from Brisbane to Rockhampton, the final 30 locomotives were modified to accommodate passenger and general freight duties, entering service as the 3900 class.