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UGL Rail C44aci
The C44aci and C44ESACi are two model of Australian heavy duty diesel electric locomotive designed by UGL Rail and built at the Broadmeadow factory. They are operated by a number of rail freight operators. The design is based on the National Rail NR class but with some modifications and upgraded features.
The C44aci (initially designated as C43aci) was designed by UGL Rail in response to a tender issued by Pacific National, who required a locomotive to match the performance of their existing 90 class units when hauling heavy coal traffic, while still having the ability to work high speed intermodal services, with the change between applications to be simple.
The existing Cv40-9i (NR class) locomotive design was used as a base, but with alterations including:
The NR class design had also been used as a basis for the AC traction QR National 5000 class introduced in 2005. This design did not meet the requirements for Pacific National due to the heavy axle load, acceptable on the heavily laid coal routes, but not on lines outside of the Hunter Valley.
To reduce the weight, the level of fuel carried is altered: for intermodal applications the fuel level is 7,300 litres, for coal applications that permit higher axle loads the fuel level is increased to 13,500 litres, with an intermediate fuel level of 10,750 litres also available. These limits are enforced during refuelling by a float switch in the tank, the permitted level being set by a key switch with an indication displayed in the cab if the limits are breached. The provision of inline refuelling permits the topping up of the tanks in transit from a separate tank wagon behind the locomotives.[citation needed]
The older GE Transportation FDL series engine was chosen instead of the newer GE Evolution Series engine used in the United States, due to the greater height not fitting in the restricted Australian loading gauge, and there being no legal requirement to meet stringent Tier 2 emissions standards which drove adoption of the GEVO series elsewhere. The C44aci has one inverter per traction motor, this differs from competing Downer EDi Rail locomotives that have only one inverter per bogie. A further difference between the C44aci and the competing GT46C ACe is the lack of steering bogies to improve tracking properties and reduce the rate of wheel wear, instead fixed-frame pedestal-type bogies are used where all three axles are always held parallel. However, QUBE's QL class were built with steering bogies included.[citation needed]
Simulation work showed that three C44aci locomotives could equal the performance of 90 class units in heavy mode, while in intermodal mode could outperform the older NR class units by 20% on services, with the same sectional running times and in some areas a slight reduction in fuel consumed due to the increased adhesion resulting from AC traction. However the 4400BHP C44aci was outperformed by the competitors 4500BHP GT46C-ACe locomotive produced by Downer EDi Rail in back-to-back trials performed by RailCorp on the steeply graded Cowan Bank.
The first of the Pacific National 92 class was officially launched at Port Waratah on 3 October 2008. All 15 entered service on Hunter Valley coal trains and were trialed on Brisbane—Melbourne freights and return. In 2012 Pacific National took delivery of six 93 class C44aci locomotives optimised for intermodal freight transport between Melbourne and Brisbane. On 17 January 2013, Pacific National placed an order for another two (later expanded to five) 93 class locomotives. In 2014, Pacific National extended the order of the 93 class to 9324 in which all 24 93 class are in service. Until late 2023, 9301-24 In late 2023 they were transferred to the Hunter Valley, displacing older 90 Class locomotives. All other examples are run almost exclusively in the Hunter Valley on coal services.
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UGL Rail C44aci
The C44aci and C44ESACi are two model of Australian heavy duty diesel electric locomotive designed by UGL Rail and built at the Broadmeadow factory. They are operated by a number of rail freight operators. The design is based on the National Rail NR class but with some modifications and upgraded features.
The C44aci (initially designated as C43aci) was designed by UGL Rail in response to a tender issued by Pacific National, who required a locomotive to match the performance of their existing 90 class units when hauling heavy coal traffic, while still having the ability to work high speed intermodal services, with the change between applications to be simple.
The existing Cv40-9i (NR class) locomotive design was used as a base, but with alterations including:
The NR class design had also been used as a basis for the AC traction QR National 5000 class introduced in 2005. This design did not meet the requirements for Pacific National due to the heavy axle load, acceptable on the heavily laid coal routes, but not on lines outside of the Hunter Valley.
To reduce the weight, the level of fuel carried is altered: for intermodal applications the fuel level is 7,300 litres, for coal applications that permit higher axle loads the fuel level is increased to 13,500 litres, with an intermediate fuel level of 10,750 litres also available. These limits are enforced during refuelling by a float switch in the tank, the permitted level being set by a key switch with an indication displayed in the cab if the limits are breached. The provision of inline refuelling permits the topping up of the tanks in transit from a separate tank wagon behind the locomotives.[citation needed]
The older GE Transportation FDL series engine was chosen instead of the newer GE Evolution Series engine used in the United States, due to the greater height not fitting in the restricted Australian loading gauge, and there being no legal requirement to meet stringent Tier 2 emissions standards which drove adoption of the GEVO series elsewhere. The C44aci has one inverter per traction motor, this differs from competing Downer EDi Rail locomotives that have only one inverter per bogie. A further difference between the C44aci and the competing GT46C ACe is the lack of steering bogies to improve tracking properties and reduce the rate of wheel wear, instead fixed-frame pedestal-type bogies are used where all three axles are always held parallel. However, QUBE's QL class were built with steering bogies included.[citation needed]
Simulation work showed that three C44aci locomotives could equal the performance of 90 class units in heavy mode, while in intermodal mode could outperform the older NR class units by 20% on services, with the same sectional running times and in some areas a slight reduction in fuel consumed due to the increased adhesion resulting from AC traction. However the 4400BHP C44aci was outperformed by the competitors 4500BHP GT46C-ACe locomotive produced by Downer EDi Rail in back-to-back trials performed by RailCorp on the steeply graded Cowan Bank.
The first of the Pacific National 92 class was officially launched at Port Waratah on 3 October 2008. All 15 entered service on Hunter Valley coal trains and were trialed on Brisbane—Melbourne freights and return. In 2012 Pacific National took delivery of six 93 class C44aci locomotives optimised for intermodal freight transport between Melbourne and Brisbane. On 17 January 2013, Pacific National placed an order for another two (later expanded to five) 93 class locomotives. In 2014, Pacific National extended the order of the 93 class to 9324 in which all 24 93 class are in service. Until late 2023, 9301-24 In late 2023 they were transferred to the Hunter Valley, displacing older 90 Class locomotives. All other examples are run almost exclusively in the Hunter Valley on coal services.