| New South Wales 85 class | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 A freshly built 8501 in 1979 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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TheNew South Wales 85 class are a class of 10 electric locomotives built byComeng,Granville between May 1979 and July 1980 for thePublic Transport Commission.[1][2]
When introduced they were the most powerful locomotives in Australia with a rating of 2,880 kW. Based atLithgow depot they were purchased principally to haul coal trains over theBlue Mountains line. They also hauled other freight trains and on occasions passenger services including theIndian Pacific.
In 1982, an empty grain train lead by two 85 classes with 8505 at the frontcollided with an empty coal train as the result of awrong side signal failure. The guard on the coal train was badly injured and the driver of the grain train was killed.[3]
Following theIllawarra line being electrified in 1986, 85s began to operate coal trains from Lithgow through toPort Kembla. They also occasionally hauled coal services fromGlenlee Colliery on theMain South line to Port Kembla andRozelle. They did not operate on theMain North line although in 1993 all were hauled toTaree for repainting atLandsdowne Engineering.[4]
A combination ofNational Rail electing to use diesel locomotives on electrified lines and a move to an open access model in New South Wales resulting in electric traction being priced out of the market saw the need for electric traction drop.[5] In April 1998, the 85 class were withdrawn and stored at Lithgow.[2][6]
Only 10 locomotives were built in the span of two years. All byCommonwealth Engineering atGranville. Comeng had also built the diesel powered80 classes. This is likely why the car bodies are similar in appearance.[3]
| Number | Entered Service | Withdrawn | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8501 | 30 May 1979 | 29 April 1998 | Preserved |
| 8502 | 17 September 1979 | 23 April 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8503 | 4 February 1980 | 21 January 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8504 | 26 February 1980 | 20 March 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8505 | 16 April 1980 | 23 April 1998 | Involved in the Valley Heights train collision[3] Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8506 | 26 May 1980 | 16 April 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8507 | 13 June 1980 | 24 April 1998 | Preserved |
| 8508 | 30 June 1980 | 29 April 1998 | Scrapped on 8 August 2007 |
| 8509 | 10 July 1980 | 22 February 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8510 | 28 July 1980 | 24th April 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
Electrical equipment was provided by Mitsubishi with two diamond pantographs placed in depressions in the roof.
In July 2000,FreightCorp moved three of the class toWerris Creek.[7] Two were sold for preservation, 8501 to theSydney Electric Train Society and 8507 to theDorrigo Steam Railway & Museum.[8][9] The remainder were sold in 2003 toSilverton Rail and scrapped atBroken Hill.[2]
| Number | Owner | Location | Status | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8501 | Sydney Electric Train Society | Werris Creek | Stored | [10] |
| 8507 | Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum | West Tamworth | Stored |
There are currently no plans for restoration or static display for either locomotive.