Australian National AN Class
AN11 in Australian National livery trails an NR class in Newport in May 2008
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderClyde Engineering, Somerton
Serial number92-1297 to 92-1299
93-1300 to 93-1307
ModelEMD JT46C
Build date1992–1993
Total produced11
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo-Co
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Length22.60 m (74 ft 2 in)
Fuel typeDiesel
Prime moverEMD 16-710G3A
Engine typeV16 diesel
GeneratorEMD AR11
Cylinders16
Performance figures
Maximum speed150 km/h (93 mph)
Power output3,030 kW (4,063 hp)
Tractive effort(Continuous) 323 kN (73,000 lbf) at 26 km/h (16 mph)
Career
OperatorsAustralian National
National Rail
Pacific National
Number in class11
NumbersAN1–AN11
First run1992
Current ownerPacific National
Disposition1 in service, 9 stored, 1 scrapped

The AN class is a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Somerton for Australian National in 1992–1993.

Introduction to service and operating history

They entered service on Australian National's standard gauge network from Broken Hill to Adelaide, Alice Springs and Perth.[1] In 1995, all were leased to National Rail with the transfer of Australian National's interstate operations.

In January 1996, AN10 was destroyed in the Hines Hill train collision. In November 1997, the remaining 10 were sold to National Rail.[1] passing into Pacific National ownership with the sale of National Rail in February 2002. In 2004, they began to operate to Darwin on The Ghan following this line opening with AN3 painted in the Ghan livery between 2004 and 2014.[2][3]

Future

As of January 2023, AN class locomotives are generally used as trailing locomotives on Intermodal and Steel services between Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney. They were commonly used as second locomotives on steel trains in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.[4] The class are currently facing storage in Melbourne due to combined high operational costs and mechanical failures. It's rumoured they'll be stored in Werris Creek, New South Wales.

As of 17 February 2023, the entire class is stored, with all except AN1 (which is in Port Augusta) in storage at South Dynon.

In December 2023 the class has been making a return to service with AN1 running from Port Augusta on 4PM4 (3 December) and returning 6MP5 (9 December) after a trip to Spotswood. AN3 and AN8 are also at Spotswood.

Fleet status

LocomotiveSerial noCompletedLiveryStatus
AN192-12971992Pacific National blue & yellowOperational.
AN292-12981992Pacific National blue & yellowStored, last run 5SM2 23/12/2022
AN392-12991992Pacific National blue & yellow (repainted from Ghan red livery in early 2014)Being reactivated
AN493-13001993Pacific National blue & yellowStored, last run 3SM2 11/01/2023
AN593-13011993Pacific National blue & yellowStored, last run 4CM3 02/02/23
AN693-13021993Pacific National blue & yellowStored, last run 1PM6 12/01/2023
AN793-13031993Pacific National blue & yellowStored, last run 7AM5 15/01/2023
AN893-13041993Pacific National blue & yellowBeing reactivated
AN993-13051993Pacific National blue & yellowStored, last run 3CM3 11/01/2023
AN1093-13061993Australian National green & yellowScrapped (accident damaged)
AN1193-13071993Pacific National blue & yellowStored, last run 2AM5 17/01/2023

References

  1. 1 2 "The AN class locomotives" Railway Digest September 1990 page 38
  2. ↑ AN Class Railpage
  3. ↑ AN Class Vicsig
  4. ↑ "Always the bridesmaid – The AN Class" Railway Digest November 2010 page 34
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