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Designed, built and commissioned by CSR Qishuyan in Changzhou, China, the 88 Class locomotives have been purpose-built to meet the operational requirements of the Queensland heavy haul rail market.
The 88 Class locomotives’ steel structures were built in Changzhou with the prototypes using proven equipment from industry recognised and approved suppliers.
The fleet has been designed to meet Australian and international standards.
The locomotives include:
- MTU turbocharged diesel engines with fuel saving features and EU StageIIIA emissions compliance
- ABB traction alternator and AC traction control system including self-load and dynamic brake
- ABB solid state auxiliary power suppliers
- Voith cooling system
- Knorr Bremmse electronically controlled pneumatic break and distributed power
- Faiveley electrically driven air compressors
- Selectron locomotive control system
- CSR steering bogie
- Simico Queensland Train Radio and PN Pace-R communications equipment
- Wabtec event recorder and forward facing video recording
- Wabtec on-board waste treatment system.
Pacific National employees in Gracemere, Queensland, were even consulted on the cabin design.
Queensland Pacific National general manager Paul Griffin said the procurement model for the new 88 Class locomotives had achieved a cost-effective solution that would help drive a more efficient haulage operation for the company in Queensland.
“In addition to supporting our ongoing cost and efficiency goals and being a key part of our current fleet modernisation program, the new locomotives offer the potential for a more efficient haulage operation and broader service offering for all our customers in Queensland,” he said.
The five locomotives left Shanghai in February and arrived in Gladstone, Queensland, at the beginning of March.
The locomotives cleared customs and quarantine and gained interim registration from Queensland track owners.
They have been relocated to Pacific National’s maintenance facilities and are undergoing a test program to assure their performance, reliability and safety.
