Machines | 81 class Locomotives of New South Wales - Australian Trains
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Eighty of these 81 class locomotives were built by Clyde Engineering at Kelso in New South Wales, and delivered between September 1982 and February 1986, to replace some 1950's vintage 42 and 44 class locomotives as well as provide additional capacity. The first 40 were based at Broadmeadow to operate Hunter Valley coal trains, while the remaining 40 were concentrated on the Main South line between Sydney and Albury hauling both passenger and freight trains. The final 15 were equipped with V/Line radios, and from July 1986 operated through to Melbourne. In 1991, a further four units were built at Kelso using many components from spares held. Following the delivery of the 90 class in 1994 the Hunter Valley-based units were released to replace older locomotives on other freight duties. This saw their sphere of operation extended to Brisbane and Broken Hill. In the mid-1990s some of the later locomotives were leased to National Rail. These were later exchanged for 13 of the earlier locomotives which were permanently transferred to National Rail for use as high-power shunters around Australia. All were reunited when National Rail and FreightCorp were sold to form Pacific National in February 2002. In February 1999, 81s began operating in South Australia when FreightCorp won a contract to haul brown coal from Leigh Creek to the Northern Power Station at Port Augusta. As at February 2013 Pacific National operated 83, primarily in New South Wales. One was written off following a derailment near Forbes on 11 March 2007
Comments
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These locomotives need more attention. Why does it seem like only us in America has a bunch of train fans?
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Was really great to watch this Video. I was in charge of the Kelso Assembly shop from conception to about the time I left when 8120 was nearly completed. The first 5 were a complete challenge however after that it became more of a Policeman's job chasing the 108 shop floor personnel. Just wondering when the paint scheme changed.
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I'm going to New South Wales next week on vacation, hopefully I can catch some of this!
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Fantastic!
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Great P5 horn!