Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Chris Nuthall, Brian Atkins and David Johnson
Page Last Updated: 9/12/20
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Locomotive Info: Type: Electric Number Built: 10 Stored - 2 Scrapped - 8 Loco Length: 19.00 meters Weight: 123 tonnes Traction Motors: Mitsubishi MB485AVR Horsepower: 3860 Max Speed: 130 km/h |
Liveries worn by 85 Classes |
As more lines out of Sydney were electrified and with an aging 46 class fleet, the Public Transport Commission of NSW ordered a brand new batch of locomotives from Comeng. 10 units were constructed at the company’s Granville plant between May 1979 and July 1980 to help with the modernisation of electric freight operations. At the time of their introduction, the new 85 class electrics were the most powerful locomotives in Australia.
The design of the 85 class was similar to previous diesel locomotives, notably the 80 class. Some cab components were interchangeable between the two classes. The 85 class also proved to have a smoother ride and higher top speed compared with the much older 46 class units, with 8501 exceeding 160km/h on trial runs. All units entered service in the standard PTC ‘Tuscan’ livery. Interestingly, no member of the 85 class received the SRA ‘Candy’ livery after the takeover of operations in 1980. They were initially used on coal trains through the Blue Mountains between Lithgow and Port Kembla as well as general freight and the occasional passenger service. They were also occasionally utilised on coal services from Glenlee Colliery on the Main South line to Port Kembla and Rozelle in Sydney. With the 85 class deemed a success, a further 49 units making up the new 86 class fleet entered service from 1983.
In the early years of operation, various incidents involving 85 class locomotives being sent into un-electrified sections of yard by signallers occurred, who had confused them with the very similar looking 80 class diesels. These incidents often resulted in major damage to locomotive pantographs and to the overhead wiring. In 1981, some units were fitted with illuminated ‘E’ boards to help signallers distinguish between the electric and diesel locomotives.
The design of the 85 class was similar to previous diesel locomotives, notably the 80 class. Some cab components were interchangeable between the two classes. The 85 class also proved to have a smoother ride and higher top speed compared with the much older 46 class units, with 8501 exceeding 160km/h on trial runs. All units entered service in the standard PTC ‘Tuscan’ livery. Interestingly, no member of the 85 class received the SRA ‘Candy’ livery after the takeover of operations in 1980. They were initially used on coal trains through the Blue Mountains between Lithgow and Port Kembla as well as general freight and the occasional passenger service. They were also occasionally utilised on coal services from Glenlee Colliery on the Main South line to Port Kembla and Rozelle in Sydney. With the 85 class deemed a success, a further 49 units making up the new 86 class fleet entered service from 1983.
In the early years of operation, various incidents involving 85 class locomotives being sent into un-electrified sections of yard by signallers occurred, who had confused them with the very similar looking 80 class diesels. These incidents often resulted in major damage to locomotive pantographs and to the overhead wiring. In 1981, some units were fitted with illuminated ‘E’ boards to help signallers distinguish between the electric and diesel locomotives.
8505-8507 with a down container train at Clyde. (26/6/95)
Photo By: Brian Atkins |
8508-8506 approach Lithgow with a down goods train. (14/12/83)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
With the takeover of freight operations by Freight Rail, all units were repainted into the new blue and yellow livery from 1993, 8501 and 8503 being painted at Broadmeadow and the remainder being towed to Taree. The units continued in service on predominantly coal services, however mechanical differences meant that they could not operate in multi-unit with 86 class unless the 85 units led. This meant that the 85 class typically worked together.
The formation of the National Rail Corporation in 1992 meant that some units were transferred to NRC operations. With the introduction of their own locomotives however, the 85 classes were handed back to FreightCorp. The 85 class would soon find themselves as surplus power with the closure of coal mines at Wallerawang and Charbon and electric power being priced out by diesel. This signalled the end of electric freight operations in NSW. From January 1998, the first of the 85 class were withdrawn from service with all units out of service by July. The fleet were stored at various locations across NSW including Werris Creek and Broken Hill.
In 2006, class leader 8501 entered preservation with the Sydney Electric Train Society while the Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum purchased 8507. Both units are stored in an un-operational condition. The remainder of the 85 class were sold to Silverton Rail in 2003 and scrapped in 2007.
The formation of the National Rail Corporation in 1992 meant that some units were transferred to NRC operations. With the introduction of their own locomotives however, the 85 classes were handed back to FreightCorp. The 85 class would soon find themselves as surplus power with the closure of coal mines at Wallerawang and Charbon and electric power being priced out by diesel. This signalled the end of electric freight operations in NSW. From January 1998, the first of the 85 class were withdrawn from service with all units out of service by July. The fleet were stored at various locations across NSW including Werris Creek and Broken Hill.
In 2006, class leader 8501 entered preservation with the Sydney Electric Train Society while the Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum purchased 8507. Both units are stored in an un-operational condition. The remainder of the 85 class were sold to Silverton Rail in 2003 and scrapped in 2007.
8501 fitted with an E board leads 85-86-86-49-48 on a goods train at Sutherland. (1990s)
Photo By: David Johnson |
8507-8502 with a down goods train at Katoomba. (13/12/83)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
Locomotive Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current State |
FreightCorp Blue |
S.E.T.S |
30 May 1979 - 29 Apr 1998 |
Stored |
|
8502 |
FreightCorp Blue |
Silverton |
17 Sep 1979 - 23 Apr 1998 |
Scrapped |
8503 |
FreightCorp Blue |
Silverton |
4 Feb 1980 - 21 Jan 1998 |
Scrapped |
FreightCorp Blue |
Silverton |
26 Feb 1980 - 20 Mar 1998 |
Scrapped |
|
FreightCorp Blue |
Silverton |
16 Apr 1980 - 23 Apr 1998 |
Scrapped |
|
FreightCorp Blue |
Silverton |
26 May 1980 - 16 Apr 1998 |
Scrapped |
|
FreightCorp Blue |
Dorrigo Museum |
13 Jun 1980 - 24 Apr 1998 |
Stored |
|
FreightCorp Blue |
Silverton |
30 Jun 1980 - 29 Apr 1998 |
Scrapped |
|
8509 |
FreightCorp Blue |
Silverton |
10 Jul 1980 - 22 Feb 1998 |
Scrapped |
8510 |
FreightCorp Blue |
Silverton |
28 Jul 1980 - 24 Apr 1998 |
Scrapped |
Information sourced from Wikipedia, An Australian Locomotive Guide by Peter Clarke and SETS.org.au