Australian National AN class

The AN class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Somerton for Australian National in 1992–1993.

Australian National AN Class
AN11 in Australian National livery trails an NR class in Newport in May 2008
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering, Somerton Serial number 92-1297 to 92-1299 93-1300 to 93-1307 Model EMD JT46C Build date 1992–1993 Total produced 11
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Length 22.60 m (74 ft 2 in) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover EMD 16-710G3A Engine type V16 diesel Generator EMD AR11 Cylinders 16
Performance figures Maximum speed 150 km/h (93 mph) Power output 3,030 kW (4,063 hp) Tractive effort (Continuous) 323 kN (73,000 lbf) at 26 km/h (16 mph)
Career Operators Australian National National Rail Pacific National Number in class 11 Numbers AN1–AN11 First run 1992 Current owner Pacific National Disposition 1 in service, 9 stored, 1 scrapped

Introduction to service and operating history

They entered service on Australian National's standard gauge network from Broken Hill to Adelaide, Alice Springs and Perth.[1] In 1995, all were leased to National Rail with the transfer of Australian National's interstate operations.

In January 1996, AN10 was destroyed in the Hines Hill train collision. In November 1997, the remaining 10 were sold to National Rail.[1] passing into Pacific National ownership with the sale of National Rail in February 2002. In 2004, they began to operate to Darwin on The Ghan following this line opening with AN3 painted in the Ghan livery between 2004 and 2014.[2][3]

Future

As of January 2023, AN class locomotives are generally used as trailing locomotives on Intermodal and Steel services between Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney. They are commonly used as second locomotives on steel trains in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.[4] The class are currently facing storage in Melbourne due to combined high operational costs and mechanical failures. It's rumoured they'll be used on Pacific National bulk services in New South Wales out of the Werris Creek area.

As of the end of January 2023, AN1-AN4, AN6, AN7, AN9 & AN11 are stored at South Dynon in Melbourne awaiting transfer to Werris Creek. AN8 has new wheels and was shunting at Spencer Junction on 3-2-2022. AN1 is still out and about, as of 2-2-2023 it was on 5MP5.