ACD6064 & ACD6048 Brolgan NSW. Sat 05th Apr 2025

Описание: On a hot, dry and windy morning (already 30 degrees) Aurizon/TGE express intermodal service from Sydney NSW, via Cootamundra West, passes through Brolgan in western NSW as 6SP1, running on time after a crew change at Goobang Junction West NSW.

Keiths Lane, where the video was recorded is named after a long-established farming family. The family has a long tradition with the Brolgan area, former long serving Mayor of Parkes Shire Council, Ken Keith, who retired in September 2023 is the grandson after whom the lane was named. The Parkes Logistics Terminal built in 2019 is built on Keith family land.

This new service commenced in November 2024 and is in direct competition with Pacific Nationals Sydney-Perth services out of Chullora, and the Specialised Container Transport's (SCT) twice weekly Goobang Junction West NSW to Perth WA intermodal service. It has been whispered that any losses incurred with the new Aurizon/TGE (Trans Global Express) service will be "made good" by profits from the bulk haulage division.

Quite a variety of container wagons with FQAY five packs, QQOY three packs and then an assortment of QQAY, QQXY, QQMY and a string of new Chinese built QQYY's, mostly empty, tagging along at the rear. Interesting to note that the QQMY's, QQOY and QQAY's are stenciled "110KMh" whilst the QQXY's are stenciled "115KMh".

In the "no frills" all over yellow Aurizon livery ACD6064 & ACD6048 are the GE model C44aci series built by United Goninan Rail at Newcastle NSW, this is a popular model of locomotive with over 230 units sold, to various operators, in Australia. Aurizon has three versions of the 6000 class, some have "ACC" prefix, some with "ACB" which has something to do with the Western Australian system, not sure what "ACD" implies...

The C44aci model was first introduced in 2008 and the origin can be traced back to the Cv40-9i series "NR" class locomotive introduced from 1996. There have been extensive changes since the NR's first appeared, technology, emission levels and fuel consumption have been vastly improved. ACD6064 was delivered new on the 24th of February 2025, ACD6048 was handed over new on the 23rd of April 2022.

Powered by a four stroke V16 turbo charged GE 7FDL-16 prime mover delivering 4,500hp, published track speed is 115KMh. Locomotive weight is 134.0 tonnes for intermodal working and 22.0 metres long.

Main generator is a GE GMG192, the GE model 5GEB30 traction motors feature individual invertor group per traction motor, considered more efficient than the standard system. The locomotives are equipped with Bosch electronic fuel injection.

Fuel capacity is 13,500 litres for coal haulage, with the total locomotive weight to 139.0 tonnes. For intermodal work fuel is restricted to 7,300 litres maximum for a total weight of 134.0 tonnes. Banlaw electronic fuelling is employed. A medium fuel capacity of 10,750 litres is also available. "In-line" refuelling is also installed.

As with their distant NR class relatives, the C44aci series have an enviable reputation and are well liked by crews. These are heavy duty locomotives and are equally at home on Hunter Valley coal trains or high speed express intermodal trains.

0815hrs on Saturday 05th of April 2025.