Westrail N class
| Industry | Locomotive manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Bassendean , Australia |
| Products | Diesel locomotives |
The N class consisted of a group of diesel locomotives constructed by Comeng at their Bassendean facility for Westrail during the period from 1977 to 1979.
History
A total of eleven locomotives were built specifically for operation on Western Australia's narrow gauge lines, primarily tasked with transporting mineral freight in the southeastern region. From July 1982 through June 1983, the initial four units underwent a modification replacing their original vacuum brake systems with Westinghouse air brakes, leading to their reclassification as the NA class. Although these locomotives delivered strong performance and smooth operation, they experienced frequent mechanical problems, resulting in most being retired by the early 1990s, with the final unit withdrawn in 1997.
In January 1995, two NA class engines were adapted for standard gauge service by fitting bogies sourced from Mount Newman Alco M636 locomotives and were redesignated as the NB class. These units changed ownership in February 1998 when sold to Austrac Ready Power, based at Junee. Subsequently, they transferred to Patrick Port Link in Adelaide during 2004 and later to Australian Locolease in 2011. Under lease to El Zorro, they operated in Victoria as the 18 class. After extended periods out of service, NB1872 was dismantled early in 2020, followed by NB1873's scrapping in mid-2022.
Austrac also took possession of NA1874 but sold it unused to South Spur Rail Services in 2001; it was converted to standard gauge in January 2006 before being scrapped in 2014.
Status table
| Loco No | Revised No | Builders No | Entered Service | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N1871 | C-6099-01 | 5 Dec 1977 | Converted to NA1871 in 1982 | |
| NA1871 | 29 Dec 1982 | Scrapped in 1994 | ||
| N1872 | C-6099-02 | 20 Aug 1977 | Converted to NA1872 in 1983 | |
| NA1872 | 16 Jun 1983 | Converted to NB1872 in 1994 | ||
| NB1872 | Sep 2011 | Renumbered as 1872 in 2011 | ||
| 1872 | Jan 1995 | Stored at South Dynon Locomotive Depot | ||
| 1872 | Scrapped Feb 2020 | |||
| N1873 | C-6099-03 | 17 Nov 1977 | Converted to NA1873 in 1982 | |
| NA1873 | 9 Nov 1982 | Converted to NB1873 in 1994 | ||
| NB1873 | Dec 1994 | Renumbered as 1873 in 2011 | ||
| 1873 | Sep 2011 | Scrapped mid-2022 | ||
| N1874 | C-6099-04 | 30 Nov 1977 | Converted to NA1874 in 1982 | |
| NA1874 | 15 Jul 1982 | Scrapped in 2014 | ||
| N1875 | C-6099-05 | 15 Feb 1978 | Scrapped in 1994 | |
| N1876 | C-6099-06 | 9 Aug 1978 | Scrapped in 1997 | |
| N1877 | C-6099-07 | 27 Sep 1978 | Scrapped in 1997 | |
| N1878 | C-6099-08 | 22 Dec1978 | Scrapped in1994 | |
| N1879 | C-6099-09 | 22 Dec1978 | Scrapped in1994 | |
| N1880 | C-6099-10 | 10 Jan1979 | Scrapped in1997 | |
| N1881 | C-6099-11 | 26 Jun1979 | Scrapped in1994 |