Written By: Thomas Bulic
Photos By: Chris Nuthall, Thomas Bulic, Dean Jones and Timothy Pout
Page Last Updated: 23/7/20
With the extension of electrification from Gosford to Newcastle (opened June 1984) and to Port Kembla (from December 1985), additional electric locomotives were required to service these new routes and add to the existing fleet of aging 46 class and newer 85 class electrics. The Commonwealth Engineering Company of Granville was again successful in winning the $118 million tender for 50 locomotives using Mitsubishi electrical equipment from Japan. They had previously built the 85 class, which were first introduced in May 1979. The 86 class electric locomotives were a further development from these, with an electrical design similar but not identical to that of the previous class. Compared to the 46 class, the 86 class had roomier cabs, modern amenities and were better riding for the crew, but their traction control system was less direct and slower to respond to the driver's commands.
8613-8621 with the down IP at Blackheath. (17/1/85)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
8606 on a rail train at Wynyard. (17/5/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
The class leader 8601 was delivered in February 1983 and the penultimate member of the class, 8649, was delivered during late August 1985. However, the last of the class, 8650, was not delivered until January 1986 and underwent its trial trip on 6 January that year. 8650 was an experimental departure from the NSW norm in featuring the Bo-Bo-Bo ("tri-Bo") wheel arrangement. It was built as a prototype for the electric locomotive design Commonwealth Engineering planned to construct for Queensland Railways, having also successfully tendered for these locos.
The Mitsubishi electrical equipment includes; six MB-485-BVR traction motors and MG-146-SF motor alternator. There are two Westinghouse 3VC75B compressors and two SMC-EK (Airmate) model WBX 22 pantographs. Traction control is by means of three camshaft controllers and electro-pneumatic contactors. The Mitsubishi control equipment allows manual and automatic (to the current limit) notching, and regenerative braking, being operated under electronic control set by the driver's master controller (or jumpered train wires when operating in multiple units).
As the new class entered service they took over the handling of the most important express, mail and passenger trains, ranging from the Indian Pacific to and from Lithgow; the Brisbane Limited, Pacific Coast Motorail and Newcastle Express to and from Broadmeadow/Newcastle as well as inter-urban loco-hauled services to Gosford and the Blue Mountains. 86 class locomotives continued to haul the Indian Pacific and the Grafton Express up until 1994 when both runs were taken over by diesel locomotives. 86 class electrics shared goods train workings with 85 and 46 classes on all three electrified main lines out of Sydney. The use of quad 86 class on Lithgow to Port Kembla coal workings was a feature of their service. 86 class locomotives were also used to haul new chopper sets and early Tangara sets from Goninan's at Broadmeadow to Sydney.
The Mitsubishi electrical equipment includes; six MB-485-BVR traction motors and MG-146-SF motor alternator. There are two Westinghouse 3VC75B compressors and two SMC-EK (Airmate) model WBX 22 pantographs. Traction control is by means of three camshaft controllers and electro-pneumatic contactors. The Mitsubishi control equipment allows manual and automatic (to the current limit) notching, and regenerative braking, being operated under electronic control set by the driver's master controller (or jumpered train wires when operating in multiple units).
As the new class entered service they took over the handling of the most important express, mail and passenger trains, ranging from the Indian Pacific to and from Lithgow; the Brisbane Limited, Pacific Coast Motorail and Newcastle Express to and from Broadmeadow/Newcastle as well as inter-urban loco-hauled services to Gosford and the Blue Mountains. 86 class locomotives continued to haul the Indian Pacific and the Grafton Express up until 1994 when both runs were taken over by diesel locomotives. 86 class electrics shared goods train workings with 85 and 46 classes on all three electrified main lines out of Sydney. The use of quad 86 class on Lithgow to Port Kembla coal workings was a feature of their service. 86 class locomotives were also used to haul new chopper sets and early Tangara sets from Goninan's at Broadmeadow to Sydney.
8644-8606 with a charter train at Bombo. (20/8/05)
Photo By: Dean Jones |
8606 with a down freight train at Warnervale. (24/9/87)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
All 50 members of the class were delivered in the then-standard "candy" livery. To commemorate the Bicentennial in 1988, the SRA adorned ten locomotives in a striking livery, including electric units 8604 and 8619. In 1990, locomotives 8601 and 8602 were painted in an experimental blue and yellow colour scheme. 8626 was then painted in a modified scheme, that became the FreightRail/FreightCorp blue livery, at Clyde Engineering's Bathurst workshops during December 1990 and January 1991. The remainder of the 86 class fleet was then repainted into this blue standard livery at Goninan's Taree (and one at Broadmeadow) during 1994 and 1995.
During 1997 eighteen 86 class locomotives were withdrawn from service as a result of the discovery of cracks in their underframes, that had initiated within welds in areas of high stress near the bogie center pivots. Despite the damage being easily repairable if caught early, most of these affected locos were never returned to service.
With revised methods of working long-distance freight trains reducing locomotive changes on-route, usage of electric locomotives on the Sydney to Broadmeadow route was discontinued in March 1998. However 86 class locos continued to be used on coal trains and the occasional container train between Lithgow, Sydney, and Port Kembla (on the South Coast). The creation of the Rail Access Corporation (later Rail Infrastructure Corporation) in 1996 lead to higher charges for electricity being imposed, that made electric locomotives less economic compared to diesel units, particularly when combined with the locomotive changes that were required, due to the limited range of electrification in NSW. Thus all 10 of the 85 class and progressively further 86 class locos were withdrawn from service.
During 1997 eighteen 86 class locomotives were withdrawn from service as a result of the discovery of cracks in their underframes, that had initiated within welds in areas of high stress near the bogie center pivots. Despite the damage being easily repairable if caught early, most of these affected locos were never returned to service.
With revised methods of working long-distance freight trains reducing locomotive changes on-route, usage of electric locomotives on the Sydney to Broadmeadow route was discontinued in March 1998. However 86 class locos continued to be used on coal trains and the occasional container train between Lithgow, Sydney, and Port Kembla (on the South Coast). The creation of the Rail Access Corporation (later Rail Infrastructure Corporation) in 1996 lead to higher charges for electricity being imposed, that made electric locomotives less economic compared to diesel units, particularly when combined with the locomotive changes that were required, due to the limited range of electrification in NSW. Thus all 10 of the 85 class and progressively further 86 class locos were withdrawn from service.
8606 stopped at Circular Quay. (1/5/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
8606 in the underground platforms at Central. (27/11/18)
'Photo By: Dean Jones |
In February 2002 government-owned Freightcorp and National Rail were purchased by a consortium of the Lang Corporation and Toll Holdings which formed a private company trading as Pacific National. By the middle of June, there were only seven 86 class units remaining in service. It was decided by this company that these remaining electric locomotives were surplus to requirements and all were withdrawn from service on 30th June 2002. Sunday 30 June saw the last freight train to use these locomotives, being CA16 from Clarence Colliery to Inner Harbour hauled by 8628, 8627, 8607, and 8606. The last locomotives available for service were 8641 and 8646 which were held at Enfield into early July.
On the 7th September 2002, the Sydney Electric Train Society arranged a special farewell passenger train charter to mark both the withdrawal of the 86 class electrics, and the end of commercial use of electric locomotives in N.S.W. Pacific National facilitated loco 8646 being specially prepared and made available for this trip. Thus this 86 class unit became the very last NSW electric locomotive in commercial service.
Late in 2002, Pacific National commenced a disposal process for their surplus locomotives, including all members of the electric locomotive fleet. Following recommendations from Lithgow Locomotive Maintenance Centre, 8606 was selected as one of the top-ranked operational units and was sold to the Sydney Electric Train Society effective 21st February 2003. The other 86 class loco initially set aside for preservation was 8646, obtained by the (then) N.S.W. Rail Transport Museum. The balance of the 85 and 86 class electric locomotives were then sold to Silverton Rail/Allco Finance.
After 9 months in storage and replacement of a defective battery, 8606 was operated light-engine (under electric power) from Lithgow LMC direct to Hornsby Maintenance Centre in Sydney on 31st March 2003. In doing this, 8606 gained the distinction of being the only withdrawn electric locomotive to leave Lithgow LMC under overhead power.
On the 7th September 2002, the Sydney Electric Train Society arranged a special farewell passenger train charter to mark both the withdrawal of the 86 class electrics, and the end of commercial use of electric locomotives in N.S.W. Pacific National facilitated loco 8646 being specially prepared and made available for this trip. Thus this 86 class unit became the very last NSW electric locomotive in commercial service.
Late in 2002, Pacific National commenced a disposal process for their surplus locomotives, including all members of the electric locomotive fleet. Following recommendations from Lithgow Locomotive Maintenance Centre, 8606 was selected as one of the top-ranked operational units and was sold to the Sydney Electric Train Society effective 21st February 2003. The other 86 class loco initially set aside for preservation was 8646, obtained by the (then) N.S.W. Rail Transport Museum. The balance of the 85 and 86 class electric locomotives were then sold to Silverton Rail/Allco Finance.
After 9 months in storage and replacement of a defective battery, 8606 was operated light-engine (under electric power) from Lithgow LMC direct to Hornsby Maintenance Centre in Sydney on 31st March 2003. In doing this, 8606 gained the distinction of being the only withdrawn electric locomotive to leave Lithgow LMC under overhead power.
8606 with the Robel Rail Set near Redfern. (1/5/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
8606 with the Robel Rail Set at St James. (30/4/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
Following replacement of a defective frequency relay (used in starting the alternator) and a motor-alternator set overhaul (to rectify worn bearings and an uneven commutator surface), the locomotive ran its inaugural Society trip operating the 8606 Return to the North Tour on 6th December 2003.
In 2004 8606 was used together with 4615 to push-pull operate the AK train across the Sydney suburban system, including through the City Railway and ESR. For this, the locos were used on the evening of 8/9th, and then the evenings from 12/13th to 15/16th July inclusive. 8606 has since been used on a number of the Society's trips, the last being our Terrain Tunnel Push-Pull Tour on the 29th October 2005.
In late 2004 four 86 class units were reactivated for hauling spoil removal trains from the Bondi Junction turnback excavation works. These were 8601, 8609, 8622, and 8644. Subsequently, in November 2006 seven 86 Class locomotives were sold by Allco Management Limited - these being 8601 and 8650 (tri-bo unit) to Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum. 8609, 8622, and 8649 to El Zorro and 8607 and 8644 to private buyers. The remainder of the 86 class fleet was scrapped at Broken Hill. Later former El Zorro units 8609 and 8622 were scrapped at Lithgow State Mine yard in 2017. As of 2018 all of the remaining 86 class locomotives are intended for preservation.
Following a change of management at Railcorp's Hornsby Maintenance Centre and a change in policy away from embedding heritage electric stock in an operational depot, SETS moved 8606 (and its other items) to covered accommodation at the Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum on 7th June 2009. The loco was then opened to public display within the museum without its pantographs. (Which had to be removed for the transfer over non-electrified lines.)
In 2004 8606 was used together with 4615 to push-pull operate the AK train across the Sydney suburban system, including through the City Railway and ESR. For this, the locos were used on the evening of 8/9th, and then the evenings from 12/13th to 15/16th July inclusive. 8606 has since been used on a number of the Society's trips, the last being our Terrain Tunnel Push-Pull Tour on the 29th October 2005.
In late 2004 four 86 class units were reactivated for hauling spoil removal trains from the Bondi Junction turnback excavation works. These were 8601, 8609, 8622, and 8644. Subsequently, in November 2006 seven 86 Class locomotives were sold by Allco Management Limited - these being 8601 and 8650 (tri-bo unit) to Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum. 8609, 8622, and 8649 to El Zorro and 8607 and 8644 to private buyers. The remainder of the 86 class fleet was scrapped at Broken Hill. Later former El Zorro units 8609 and 8622 were scrapped at Lithgow State Mine yard in 2017. As of 2018 all of the remaining 86 class locomotives are intended for preservation.
Following a change of management at Railcorp's Hornsby Maintenance Centre and a change in policy away from embedding heritage electric stock in an operational depot, SETS moved 8606 (and its other items) to covered accommodation at the Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum on 7th June 2009. The loco was then opened to public display within the museum without its pantographs. (Which had to be removed for the transfer over non-electrified lines.)
8606 with the Robel Rail Set at Museum. (2/5/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
8606 with the Robel Rail Set at Lidcombe heading to Central. (1/5/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
On 16th and 17th June 2018, 8606 and the other SETS items were transferred from Junee RoundHouse back to Pacific National's LMC Lithgow for reactivation. In summary the works involved re-installation of two overhauled original-type SMC-EK pantographs, new pantograph hoses, a new set of batteries, new fire extinguishers, installation of ICE train radio equipment (which required the roof to be removed for modification and a new roof seal), testing of both and repair of one cab air-conditioning unit, provision of camping toilet, cleaning commutators and checking brushgear, meggering of all rotating electrical equipment, cleaning and test operation of all high-voltage switchgear, equipment changeout of all 26L brake equipment, changing around a dozen lamps and one inverter, relubrication and finally fit for service inspection and certification. These various works were undertaken by SETS, Pacific National Lithgow and their radio and mechanical maintenance contractor Progress Rail, and various specialist contractors (for pantographs, fire extinguishers, and air conditioning).
On Thursday 25th October 2018, 8606 was taken on an electrically powered test run to Mount Victoria and back, with LMC Lithgow Shunter 48120 in tow. On Friday 26th 8606 hauled four 82 class locos up to Mount Victoria as a load test. On Saturday 27th 8606 was electrically transferred light engine from Lithgow to Clyde Yard in perfect weather.
One of the benefits of electric locomotive-hauled trains is that they can be taken into Sydney's underground railways. Other than being a feature of SETS passenger excursions, this also makes electric locos useful for working the Robel rail train on underground lines. Pacific National has operated 8606 on the Robel train as E702 overnight from Monday 29th to Tuesday 30th October 2018, to drop rail between North Sydney and Central; as E704 overnight from Tuesday 27th to Wednesday 28th November 2018, to drop rail between Martin Place and Bondi Junction; and as E802 overnight from 7/8th to 10/11th January 2019 inclusive, to drop rail on the City Outer.
8606 was scheduled to haul the Robel Rail train again from the 25th of February on the City Inner. However, just past Circular Quay, the loco suffered an interpole fault on its number 1 traction motor. The loco was first taken to Delec for examination and then to LMC Port Kembla for removal of this traction motor. The motor then received a full overhaul, including all necessary repairs. Following its reinstallation, 8606 was successfully tested on the 12th of April.
On Thursday 25th October 2018, 8606 was taken on an electrically powered test run to Mount Victoria and back, with LMC Lithgow Shunter 48120 in tow. On Friday 26th 8606 hauled four 82 class locos up to Mount Victoria as a load test. On Saturday 27th 8606 was electrically transferred light engine from Lithgow to Clyde Yard in perfect weather.
One of the benefits of electric locomotive-hauled trains is that they can be taken into Sydney's underground railways. Other than being a feature of SETS passenger excursions, this also makes electric locos useful for working the Robel rail train on underground lines. Pacific National has operated 8606 on the Robel train as E702 overnight from Monday 29th to Tuesday 30th October 2018, to drop rail between North Sydney and Central; as E704 overnight from Tuesday 27th to Wednesday 28th November 2018, to drop rail between Martin Place and Bondi Junction; and as E802 overnight from 7/8th to 10/11th January 2019 inclusive, to drop rail on the City Outer.
8606 was scheduled to haul the Robel Rail train again from the 25th of February on the City Inner. However, just past Circular Quay, the loco suffered an interpole fault on its number 1 traction motor. The loco was first taken to Delec for examination and then to LMC Port Kembla for removal of this traction motor. The motor then received a full overhaul, including all necessary repairs. Following its reinstallation, 8606 was successfully tested on the 12th of April.
8606 dropping rail near Wynyard. (17/5/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
8606 with the Robel Rail Set heading to Central at Lidcombe. (14/5/19)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
8606 was rescheduled to complete the same City Inner rail drops from 15th April, however, a train control error saw the locomotive with its Robel train routed over an un-wired crossover as it exited Enfield yard en-route to the City. Unfortunately, the dewirement on the crossover and the subsequent recovery works largely destroyed both of 8606's overhauled pantographs.
Due to the urgency of the rail deliveries, one of the two remaining pantographs at Lithgow was specially overhauled by LRW in three days and refitted at Delec to return the loco to operation on the 29th April 2019. The loco subsequently operated the Robel train overnight on the City Inner from 29/30th April to 2/3rd May 2019 inclusive, then 13/14th to 16/17th May inclusive, and then 20/21st to 22/23rd May inclusive.
On the June long weekend, 8606 was on display at the 2019 Transport Heritage Expo, held on the Country platforms at Central Station, with its cab open for public inspection. The loco proved very popular with the public.
A forth pantograph was completely overhauled and rebuilt with many new components by LRW and fitted to 8606 at Delec on 24th September 2019. The loco then operated the Robel train overnight from 30 Sept/1st October to 3/4th October inclusive. Further electric-hauled Robel operations are currently scheduled for December 2019.
Due to the urgency of the rail deliveries, one of the two remaining pantographs at Lithgow was specially overhauled by LRW in three days and refitted at Delec to return the loco to operation on the 29th April 2019. The loco subsequently operated the Robel train overnight on the City Inner from 29/30th April to 2/3rd May 2019 inclusive, then 13/14th to 16/17th May inclusive, and then 20/21st to 22/23rd May inclusive.
On the June long weekend, 8606 was on display at the 2019 Transport Heritage Expo, held on the Country platforms at Central Station, with its cab open for public inspection. The loco proved very popular with the public.
A forth pantograph was completely overhauled and rebuilt with many new components by LRW and fitted to 8606 at Delec on 24th September 2019. The loco then operated the Robel train overnight from 30 Sept/1st October to 3/4th October inclusive. Further electric-hauled Robel operations are currently scheduled for December 2019.
A roster shot of 8650, the only Tri-Bogie 86 class. (28/3/86)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall
Photo By: Chris Nuthall
Cab of an 86 Class
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(16/5/19)
Photos By: Timothy Pout
Photos By: Timothy Pout
Locomotive Status
Road No.8601
8602 8603 8604 8605 8606 8607 8608 8609 8610 8611 8612 8613 8614 8615 8616 8617 8618 8619 8620 8621 8622 8623 8624 8625 8626 8627 8628 8629 8630 8631 8632 8633 8634 8635 8636 8637 8638 8639 8640 8641 8642 8643 8644 8645 8646 8647 8648 8649 8650 |
LiveryFreightCorp Blue
FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue FreightCorp Blue |
OwnerDorrigo Museum
Private Silverton Silverton Silverton S.E.T.S Private Silverton Private Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton SCT Silverton Silverton Private Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Silverton Private Silverton THNSW Silverton Silverton Private Dorrigo Museum |
Begun ServiceFeb 1983
Apr 1983 Apr 1983 May 1983 Sep 1983 Sep 1983 Sep 1983 Oct 1983 Oct 1983 Oct 1983 Nov 1983 Nov 1983 Dec 1983 Dec 1983 Jan 1984 Jan 1984 Feb 1984 Mar 1984 Apr 1984 Apr 1984 May 1984 May 1984 Jun 1984 Jul 1984 Jul 1984 Sep 1984 Oct 1984 Sep 1984 Oct 1984 Oct 1984 Nov 1984 Nov 1984 Dec 1984 Dec 1984 Dec 1984 Jan 1985 Feb 1985 Mar 1985 Mar 1985 Apr 1985 May 1985 May 1985 Jun 1985 Jun 1985 Jul 1985 Aug 1985 Aug 1985 Aug 1985 Oct 1985 Oct 1985 |
Current StatePreserved
Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Operational Stored Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Scrapped Preserved - Static Scrapped Scrapped Stored Stored |
All information sourced from Wikipedia, SETS and Vicsig