Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Chris Nuthall, Graham Cotterall and Jamie Fisher
Page Last Updated: 9/1/21
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Locomotive Info:
Type: Diesel-Electric Number Built: 11 Operational: 10 Scrapped: 1 Model: JT46C Loco Length: 22.60 Meters Weight: 128 tonnes Engine: EMD 16-710G3A Generator: EMD AR11 Traction Motors: EMD D87BTR Horsepower: 4060 Max Speed: 150 km/h |
Liveries worn by AN Classes |
In 1991, Australian National ordered 11 new locomotives to be constructed by Clyde Engineering at their Somerton facility in Victoria. These new locomotives would be classified as the AN class, derived from their operator’s name.
These units used a range of features from previous Clyde units used by AN, such as the electrical equipment and EMD 16-710G3A engine previously used in the DL class and the carbody design used in the BL class. A slanted front end similar to the EL class was incorporated. The first unit, AN1 was completed in 1992 and transferred on temporary broad gauge bogies before entering service. Testing was conducted in Victoria before delivery. All units were delivered by the end of 1993 for standard gauge freight operation in SA, all in the standard AN green and yellow scheme. The class saw usage on freight service around South Australia and to Broken Hill and Alice Springs.
In January 1996, AN10 was involved in a head on collision at Hines Hill, SA, resulting in the units scrapping. The following year, all AN class units were officially handed over to National Rail in November, after the takeover of operations. AN1, AN2, AN5 and AN8 would receive repaints to the new corporate colour scheme of NRC. The remainder of the fleet would remain in AN livery.
These units used a range of features from previous Clyde units used by AN, such as the electrical equipment and EMD 16-710G3A engine previously used in the DL class and the carbody design used in the BL class. A slanted front end similar to the EL class was incorporated. The first unit, AN1 was completed in 1992 and transferred on temporary broad gauge bogies before entering service. Testing was conducted in Victoria before delivery. All units were delivered by the end of 1993 for standard gauge freight operation in SA, all in the standard AN green and yellow scheme. The class saw usage on freight service around South Australia and to Broken Hill and Alice Springs.
In January 1996, AN10 was involved in a head on collision at Hines Hill, SA, resulting in the units scrapping. The following year, all AN class units were officially handed over to National Rail in November, after the takeover of operations. AN1, AN2, AN5 and AN8 would receive repaints to the new corporate colour scheme of NRC. The remainder of the fleet would remain in AN livery.
AN6-C506-8155 lead #1221 empty garbage train through North Goulburn.
Date Taken: 2nd January 2012 Photo By: Graham Cotterall |
AN7-AN4 with PN grain #8136 at Werrington.
Date Taken: 7th July 2013 Photo By: Jamie Fisher |
In February 2002, National Rail was taken over by Pacific National with the AN class fleet being handed over. They would continue to see regular use on intermodal services under PN operation, mainly as trailing units. AN5 became the first unit of the class to be repainted into the new PN colour scheme in 2007. All units would eventually receive this livery.
In July 2004, AN3 was repainted into Ghan livery and briefly renumbered to AN03. It would become a regular trailing unit on Ghan passenger services between Adelaide and Darwin on the then recently reopened line. In 2014, it was repainted into standard PN livery. Today, the AN class fleet continue in intermodal service, also having seen stints on grain and other bulk services at times in NSW.
In July 2004, AN3 was repainted into Ghan livery and briefly renumbered to AN03. It would become a regular trailing unit on Ghan passenger services between Adelaide and Darwin on the then recently reopened line. In 2014, it was repainted into standard PN livery. Today, the AN class fleet continue in intermodal service, also having seen stints on grain and other bulk services at times in NSW.
Locomotive Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current State |
AN1 |
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1992 - Present |
Operational |
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1992 - Present |
Operational |
|
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1992 - Present |
Operational |
|
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1993 - Present |
Operational |
|
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1993 - Present |
Operational |
|
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1993 - Present |
Operational |
|
AN7 |
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1993 - Present |
Operational |
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1993 - Present |
Operational |
|
AN9 |
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1993 - Present |
Operational |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australia National |
1993 - 1996 |
Scrapped |
|
PN Blue and Yellow |
Pacific National |
1993 - Present |
Operational |
Information sourced from Railway Digest Sep 1990 & Nov 2010, Vicsig and 'An Australian Locomotive Guide' by Peter Clark