Downer EDI Rail GT42CU ACe

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

{{Infobox locomotive

| name = GT42CU ACe

| powertype = Diesel-electric

| image = QRNATIONAL 4140.JPG

| alt =

| caption = Aurizon 4140 at Downer Rail, Maryborough in September 2010

| builder = Downer Rail, Maryborough

| ordernumber =

| serialnumber =

| buildmodel = Electro-Motive Diesel GT42CU ACe

| builddate = 2007–2013

| totalproduction = 132

| rebuilder =

| rebuilddate =

| numberrebuilt =

| aarwheels =

| uicclass = Co'Co'

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

| trucks =

| bogies =

| wheeldiameter =

| trailingdiameter =

| minimumcurve =

| wheelbase =

| length = {{convert|22.0|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| width =

| height =

| axleload =

| weightondrivers =

| locoweight = {{convert|120|t|abbr=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

| generator =

| tractionmotors = EMD A2916-8

| 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 =

| factorofadhesion =

| trainheating =

| locobrakes = Dynamic

| locobrakeforce =

| trainbrakes = NYAB/Knorr-Bremse CCB II

| safety =

| operator = Aurizon
East Coast Rail
Pacific National

| operatorclass =

| powerclass =

| numinclass = 132

| fleetnumbers = 4101–4140, 4153–4167
ACN4141–ACN4152, ACN4168–ACN4175
8301–8352
GWN001–GWN005

| officialname =

| nicknames =

| axleloadclass =

| locale =

| deliverydate = 2007

| firstrundate = 2007

| lastrundate = 2013

| retiredate =

| withdrawndate =

| preservedunits =

| restoredate =

| scrapdate =

| currentowner =

| disposition = 132 in service

}}

The GT42CU ACe is a model of diesel electric locomotives manufactured by EDi Rail, Maryborough between 2007 and 2013 under licence from Electro-Motive Diesel, for use on narrow gauge railways in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

History

The GT42CU ACe is an evolution of the GT42CU AC being fitted with a different computer system and traction motors.[http://www.qrig.org/motive-power/locomotives/diesel/qrnational/ediemd-4100-class 4100 Class] Queensland's Rail Interest Group

In 2006, Queensland Rail placed an initial order for 15, with a further orders increasing the number to 75. These were designated as the 4100 class.[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/4100-class 4100 Class] Railpage Following Queensland Rail purchasing Australian Railroad Group in June 2006, 19 were transferred to Western Australia and reclassified as the ACN class, but retain their original numbers.[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/acn-class ACN Class] Railpage

The Queensland based units are primarily used on the Blackwater, Moura and Newlands coal networks, and on phosphate trains between Mount Isa and Townsville. The Western Australian-based units are primarily engaged hauling iron ore trains. All were included in the transfer of Queensland Rail's freight business to QR National in July 2010.{{fact|date=May 2025}}

Pacific National placed an order for 13 units for coal haulage on the Blackwater system that later grew to 46. These were designated as the 83 class.[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/83-class 83 Class] Railpage

In July 2012, One Rail Australia placed an order for five for use in South Australia.{{cite news|url=http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2012/july/july-18th-2012/other-top-stories/genesee-wyoming-expands-arrium-iron-ore-contracts|title=GWA boosts locomotive fleet|publisher=Rail Express|date=2012-07-18|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222070227/http://www.railexpress.com.au/archive/2012/july/july-18th-2012/other-top-stories/genesee-wyoming-expands-arrium-iron-ore-contracts|archivedate=22 February 2014}} Designated the GWN class, they operated on the Arrium iron ore railway to Whyalla Steelworks.[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/gwn-class GWN Class] Railpage"The new Downer/EDI GWN Class locomotives" Railway Digest May 2013 pages 30–31 They were transferred to Queensland after being displaced by 5 Queensland Railways 2250 class locomotives returning to Australia from South Africa.{{fact|date=May 2025}}

A further six were built as a speculative order for Locomotive Demand Power as the LDP class.[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/ldp-class-gt42cuac LDP Class (GT42CU-AC)] Railpage One was painted in Pacific National livery and numbered 8347 in anticipation of a lease that failed to eventuate, the others were numbered LDP016-LDP020 with all six placed in store in Maryborough. All were included in the sale of Downer Rail's locomotive business to Progress Rail Services and in December 2017, were moved to Redbank Railway Workshops entering service as 8347–8352 with Pacific National in April and May 2018."Motive Power Roundup" Motive Power issue 117 May 2018 page 74"LDP Class locomotives become additional 83 Class following Pacific National purchase from Progress Rail" Railway Digest June 2018 page 17