Downer EDI Rail GT42CU AC

{{Short description|Model of Australian diesel-electric locomotive}}

{{Infobox locomotive

| name = GT42CU AC

| powertype = Diesel-electric

| image = PN Class Loco PN002 at Downer EDI Maryborough (Qld)..jpg

| alt =

| caption = Pacific National PN002 & Queensland Rail 4046 under construction at EDi Rail, Maryborough in November 2004

| builder = EDi Rail, Maryborough

| ordernumber =

| serialnumber =

| buildmodel = EMD GT42CU AC

| builddate = 1999–2005

| totalproduction = 61

| rebuilder =

| rebuilddate =

| numberrebuilt =

| aarwheels =

| uicclass = Co'Co'

| gauge = {{track gauge|1067mm|lk=on}}

| trucks =

| bogies =

| wheeldiameter =

| trailingdiameter =

| minimumcurve =

| wheelbase =

| length = {{convert|20.8|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|2.85|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|3.87|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| axleload =

| weightondrivers =

| locoweight = {{convert|120|t|abbr=on|lk=on}}

| fueltype = Diesel

| fuelcap =

| lubecap =

| coolantcap =

| watercap =

| sandcap =

| powersupply =

| consumption =

| watercons =

| primemover = EMD 12N-710G3B-ES

| rpmrange =

| enginetype = V12 Diesel engine

| aspiration =

| displacement =

| alternator = EMD TA12-QBE/CA7C (4000 class)

| generator =

| tractionmotors = Siemens 1TB 2622

| headendpower =

| cylindercount = 12

| cylindersize = {{convert|11.63|L|cuin|abbr=on}}

| transmission =

| multipleworking =

| maxspeed = {{convert|100|km/h|abbr=on}}

| poweroutput = {{convert|2460|kW|hp|-1|abbr=on}}

| tractiveeffort = {{convert|460|kN|lbf|abbr=on|lk=on}}

| factorofadhesion =

| trainheating =

| locobrakes = Dynamic

| locobrakeforce =

| trainbrakes = NYAB/Knorr CCB II

| safety =

| operator = Pacific National
Queensland Rail

| operatorclass =

| powerclass =

| numinclass = 61

| fleetnumbers = 4001–4049
PN001–PN013

| officialname =

| nicknames =

| axleloadclass =

| locale =

| deliverydate = 23 October 1999

| firstrundate = 1999

| lastrundate = 2005

| retiredate =

| withdrawndate =

| preservedunits =

| restoredate =

| scrapdate =

| currentowner = Aurizon
Pacific National

| disposition = 61 in service

}}

The GT42CU AC is a model of diesel electric locomotives manufactured by EDi Rail, Maryborough between 1999 and 2005 under licence from Electro-Motive Diesel, for use on narrow gauge railways in Queensland.

History

In March 1998, Queensland Rail ordered 38 GT42CU ACs from Clyde Engineering."QR Orders AC Drive Locomotives and New Coal Wagons" Railway Digest April 1998 page 11 They were the first locomotives ordered from Clyde Engineering after its takeover by Evans Deakin Industries and were built at the latter's Maryborough factory."Narrow Gauge Big Power – QR's 4000 Class GT42CU Locomotives" Railway Digest May 1998 page 13

Designated the 4000 class, the first was delivered in October 1999."QR's 4000 class AC Traction units" Railway Digest December 1999 pages 26, 42 After an extensive evaluation process, the first entered service in May 2000 with all in service by May 2001. The dramatic increase in tractive effort and adhesion of the AC traction motors compared to the previous DC traction locos exceeded all expectations and revolutionised diesel operations in Queensland. A further 11 were ordered in March 2003 and entered service in 2004–05.{{cite book|last=Oberg|first=Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1850s–2010s|year=2010|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|location=Kenthurst|isbn=9781921719011|page=428}}[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/4000-class 4000 Class] Railpage

They are primarily used on the Blackwater and Moura coal networks, and on phosphate trains between Mount Isa and Townsville. All were included in the transfer of Queensland Rail's freight business to Aurizon in 2012.[http://www.qrig.org/motive-power/locomotives/diesel/qrnational/ediemd-4000-class EDI/EMD 4000 Class] Queensland's Rail Interest Group

In February 2004, Pacific National ordered 13 GT42CU ACs to commence operations in Queensland. Designated the PN class, they entered service in 2005 and are used on intermodal services on the North Coast line between Brisbane and Cairns.[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/pacific-national-looks-north.html Pacific National looks north] Railway Gazette 1 February 2004[http://www.pacificnational.com.au/cust_access/pnq_news/pnq_news.asp New Technology for the Queensland Rail Network] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110042224/http://www.pacificnational.com.au/cust_access/pnq_news/pnq_news.asp |date=10 November 2013 }} Pacific National[http://www.qrig.org/motive-power/locomotives/diesel/pacific-national/edigm-pn-class EDI/GM PN Class] Queensland's Rail Interest Group[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/pn-class PN Class] Railpage

The design evolved into the GT42CU ACe which has different computer system and traction motors.