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Trackside Videos

TRV131

Trackside Videos - TRV131 - Clyde GM's 81 Class Pt1 - The Early Years (DVD)

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In late 1980 the NSW State Rail Authority (SRA) placed an order with Clyde Engineering for 80 diesel-electric locomotives which would become the 81 Class. An additional 4 units were built for the subsequently named Freight Corp using ‘support spare parts’ in 1991. They became the most broadly used main line locomotive in NSW.

All 84 units were manufactured at Clyde’s Bathurst (Kelso) facility, the first entering service in the candy colour livery in late 1982. They feature the EMD 16-645E3B diesel engine driving an EMD AR16 alternator which feeds 6 EMD D77 type traction motors. They also feature a girder underframe (unusual for full width car-bodied locomotives - the following similar JT22C2SS units like the BL and the G Class feature the normal trussed bodies) and as a benefit have removable ‘modular equipment’ covers. Power for traction is 3000HP/2260kw and they weigh in at 129 tonnes.

Initially utilised for coal and grain haulage, as the 82 and 90 Class arrived they moved more to grain, interstate, intermodal and general freight duties, allowing retirement of elderly 422, 442 and 80 Class. In this presentation we will see them in some of their SRA, Freight Rail, Freight Corp, National Rail and early Pacific National roles.

Approximate run time: 159 minutes.