| SCT class / LDP class | |
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| Pair of SCT class locomotives at the SCT depot at Laverton, Victoria | |
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | EDI
Rail Cardiff |
| Model | GT46C-ACe |
| Build date | 2007 |
| Total production | 15 (SCT class), 9 (LDP class), 12 (TT class) |
| Configuration | Co-Co |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 81⁄2 in) |
| Prime mover | EMD 16-710 G3C-ES |
| Power output | 4300 HP |
| Career | SCT Logistics, Locomotive Demand Power/QRNational, Pacific National |
| Number | SCT001-015, LDP001-009, TT001-012 |
The GT46C ACe are a model of Australian diesel electric locomotives built by Downer EDI Rail using EMD components. The first units were built as the SCT class for freight operator SCT Logistics from 2007, with delivery and entry to service through 2008.[1] Additional units have since been built as the LDP class for Locomotive Demand Power and the TT class for Pacific National.
Contents |
The class was a new and innovative design for Australian conditions based on other locomotives produced by Downer EDI, such as the Queensland Rail 4000 class (GT42CU AC) and the Westrail / FreightLink / Freight Australia GT46C. The QR 4000 class used a 12 cylinder EMD 710 engine, based on the USA built SD70MAC with scaled down traction motors, while the GT46C used a 16 cylinder EMD 710 engine with DC traction systems. The American SD70ACe was EMD's 2nd generation AC loco with IGBT inverters, but was too large and heavy for the Australian interstate standard gauge network, weighting in at 188 tonnes when the limit was 134 tonnes. In addition, the GT46C design was already at the 134 tonne limit, even before adding inverters, heavier traction motors and more cooling capacity for higher power engine, and there was a requirement that fuel capacity could not be sacrificed.[2]
The locomotive has AC traction equipment, with a Mitsubishi electric package also used on the SD70ACe, including a TA17 traction alternator, CA9E companion alternator and six ITB 2630 traction motors, along with solid state IGBT inverters.[3] The prime mover is a turbocharged 16 cylinder EMD 710. New technology used included passive steer bogies, to reduce flange wear on corners.[4] The class were built at Cardiff, New South Wales, with the locomotive frames constructed at Port Augusta, South Australia, and the bogie frames at Kelso, New South Wales.[4] It is currently the only locomotive on the Australian standard gauge interstate network to meet Tier 2 emissions standards.[5] They also outperformed the comparable UGL Rail produced 92 class locomotive in back-to-back trials performed by RailCorp on the steeply graded Cowan Bank.[5][6]
The SCT class are used by SCT Logistics on their freight services from Adelaide to Melbourne, Parkes and Perth. Locomotive SCT007 is named Geoff (James Bond) Smith after the CEO of the company.[7][8] The benefits of AC traction has enabled a fleet of 15 locomotive to do the work of 20 DC traction equipped locomotives, three AC vs four DC units being needed on the Melbourne to Adelaide journey, and two AC vs three DC units between Adelaide to Perth. An on-train refuelling system carries 60,000 litres of diesel in a tanker behind the locomotives and eliminates the need to refuel en-route.[2]
The LDP class were built by Downer EDI to be leased out to rail operators through their fully owned subsidiary 'Locomotive Demand Power'. In December 2008 it was announced that QRNational has signed a $45 million, five-year deal for the nine locomotives, covering the construction and delivery of the locomotives, maintenance, the provision of spare parts, and options to extend the lease for an additional five years.[9][10] They are used on standard gauge intermodal freight services, LDP001-003 were painted in a blue and white EDI livery, while the remainder are in the QRN yellow livery.[11]
The TT class were built for Pacific National to haul their Hunter Valley coal trains. To be delivered in two batches of 6 locomotives, they will be fitted with ECP braking and will be used with similarly fitted NHYH hopper wagons built by Bradken Rail.[12] The TT class differ in some respects to the SCT/LDP class units, as they can be operated at two different weights: when weighing between 139 and 132 tonnes they are restricted in speed, fuel load, and range of operation in the same way as the heavyweight 90 class; but below 132 tonnes they are cleared for normal operations like the SCT/LDP class.[13]
The first locomotives were originally intended to be built as LDP010 - LDP018 and leased to other rail operators, until Downer EDI reached an agreement with Pacific National for their outright sale.[12] The delivery of the first unit is expected in December 2009, in November 2009 the first freshly painted unit emerged from the factory.[14] On November 16 the class were cleared for light engine trials across the RailCorp network. TT01 worked its first Light Engine Trial from Cardiff to Wyong and return on November 26, 2009.
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| Power type | Diesel-electric |
|---|---|
| Serial number | SCT001 - SCT015 |
| Model | GT46C-ACe |
| Build date | 2007 |
| Total production | 15 |
| Configuration | Co-Co |
| Gauge | Standard Gauge |
| Prime mover | EMD 16-710 G3C-ES |
| Power output | 4300 HP |
The SCT class are an Australian diesel electric locomotives built for and operated by freight operator Specialised Container Transport. Built by Downer EDI Rail in they use EMD components and were introduced from 2007, with delivery and entry to service through 2008.[1] The class are used on SCT services from Melbourne to Perth.
The class was a new design based on other locomotives produced by Downer EDi, such as the Queensland Rail 4000 class and the Pacific National Queensland PN class. The class has AC traction equipment, with a Mitsubishi electric package also used on the SD70-ACe. The prime mover is a turbocharged 16 cylinder EMD 710. New technology used included passive steer bogies, to reduce flange wear on corners.[2] The class were built at Cardiff, New South Wales, with the locomotive frames constructed at Port Augusta, South Australia, and the bogie frames at Kelso, New South Wales.[2]
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  | Railpage Australia: New SCT locomotives - New SCT locomotives. - Railpage Australia™ Forums (Locomotives and Rolling Stock) |
| | ARDP: Detail photos - SCT Class Locxomotive SCT003 |
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