Australian National AL class

Australian National AL class
Rebuilt AL24 (now ALF20) leading a grain train at Largs Bay, February 2024
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering, Rosewater Serial number 76-834 to 76-841 Model JT26C (AL) JT26C-2M (ALF) Build date 1976–1977 Total produced 8 Rebuilder Morrison Knudsen Australia Rebuild date 1994 Number rebuilt 8
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Length 20.6 m (67 ft 7 in) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover Electro-Motive Diesel 16-645E3 (AL) Electro-Motive Diesel 16-645E3C (ALF) Engine type V16 Two-stroke diesel Aspiration Turbocharged Cylinders 16
Performance figures Power output 2,237 kW (3,000 hp) (AL) 2,460 kW (3,300 hp) (ALF)
Career Operators Australian National Number in class 8 Numbers AL18-AL25 Delivered October 1976 Current owner Aurizon Disposition 6 in service, 2 scrapped

The AL class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Rosewater for Australian National in 1976–1977. They were mechanically similar to the CL class but instead of a bulldog nose had two flat ended cabs, similar to the 422 class built for the New South Wales Government Railways in 1969.

History

The AL class initially operated services on the Trans-Australian Railway from Broken Hill to Kalgoorlie, their sphere of operation being extended to Alice Springs and Adelaide when these lines were converted to standard gauge in 1980 and 1983. Although capable of hauling passenger services, they tended to be restricted to slower freight trains to minimise track pounding due to their weight.

Three were loaned to the NSW Public Transport Commission in 1979 resulting in 80 mechanically similar class 81s being ordered in 1980. From July 1990, through working into New South Wales was introduced resulting in ALs operating services beyond Broken Hill to Lithgow.

In 2004, they began to operate to Darwin following this line opening.

Remanufacturing

In August 1992, Australian National awarded Morrison Knudsen Australia a contract to remanufacture the ALs at its Whyalla factory. As part of the deal Morrison Knudsen purchased the locomotives and leased them back to Australian National for 12 years.

The rebuilding in the first half of 1994 involved stripping back to the frame. Changes included the EMD 645E3 engines being replaced with overhauled EMD 645E3C engines imported from Morrison Knudsen in the US, removing the No 2 end cab and being reclassified as the ALF class. After rebuilding the locomotives did not retain their numbers, for example the first locomotive converted was AL21 which emerged as ALF18.

In 1994, Australian National's interstate services were transferred to National Rail. The lease with Morrison Knudsen meant the locomotives could only be used on Australian National trains, or a higher lease fee would apply. As a result, the class were not seen on National Rail operated trains, and did not venture onto the wider national standard gauge network until Australian National won hook and pull contracts for private operator SCT Logistics in July 1995.

GWA Locomotive ALF21

GWA Locomotive ALF22

Private ownership

In November 1997, the AL class were sold to Australian Southern Railroad with Australian National's remaining freight operations. With the splitting up of the Australian Railroad Group in June 2006, 6 went to Aurizon.

Current operations

Aurizon operate the ALF Class locomotives on multiple different trains based out of Adelaide (Motive Power Centre). Such services include Intermodal services between Adelaide and Darwin, Grain (from multiple locations throughout South Australia and Western Victoria) and previously on Ore (on the 1911S/9112S Wirrida Ore train). Overhauls of the class commenced during 2020 with all members of the class bar ALF22 receiving an overhaul.

ALF23 was overhauled at the MPC during 2022, emerging in an Aurizon livery upon return to service. ALF24 received a repaint overhaul in late 2023 followed by ALF22 also receiving the same paint scheme as ALF24 in late 2024 with ALF's 18,19 and 20 remaining with the ORA orange painting with Aurizon stickers. On June 14th, 2023 ALF21 along with GWA003 and a handful of wagons, was written off following a level crossing collision with a semi trailer in the outskirts of Katherine, Northern Territory. All 4 Aurizon crew members involved in the collision escaped with only minor injuries.

Fleet list

Key:	In service	Stored	Preserved	Converted	Under overhaul	Scrapped

Original no	Entered service	Livery	Rebuilt no	Name	Owner	Status
AL18	October 1976	ORA Orange & Black (with Aurizon Logos)	ALF19		Aurizon	Operational
AL19	October 1976	AN Green & Yellow (with ARG logos)	ALZ3208 (ex ALF25)		Aurizon	Scrapped
AL20	November 1976	ORA Orange & Black	ALF21		Aurizon	Scrapped
AL21	December 1976	ORA Orange & Black (with Aurizon Logos)	ALF18	City of Port Pirie	Aurizon	Operational
AL22	June 1977	Aurizon Yellow with black roof	ALF24		Aurizon	Operational
AL23	July 1977	Aurizon Yellow with black roof	ALF22		Aurizon	Operational
AL24	July 1977	ORA Orange & Black (with Aurizon Logos)	ALF20		Aurizon	Operational
AL25	August 1977	Aurizon Yellow without black roof	ALF23		Aurizon	Operational