Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Thomas Bulic, Ian Green, Tom Schache, Dean Jones, Macauley Haywood and Brian Atkins
Page Last Updated: 9/9/20
Locomotive Info:
Type: Diesel-Electric Manufactured: RTS Islington, SA Number Built: 10 Model: AT36-C Loco Length: 19.10 Meters Weight: 132 tonnes Engine: EMD 645F3B Traction Motors: 5GE752-AF11 Horsepower: 3800 Max Speed: 115 km/h |
RL309-1431 with Qube's #8462 ore train at Belford (2/7/20)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
The RL class concept can be tracked back to 1994, when Morrison Knudsen Australia (MKA) began its RL class rebuild project for a number of 442 class locomotives. The idea was to modernise these aging locomotives with 3500hp EMD engines so that they would be considered more useful. Unfortunately, the RL class project fell through shortly after the project started, and the rebuilds were put on hold. This occurred as MKA’s parent company in the US filed for bankruptcy.
National Railway Equipment Company (NREC) acquired the MKA business and restarted the rebuild project that had already begun, however very few parts from the 442s were actually used. Brand new locomotive frames were used while bogies and compressors from the 442s were maintained. The new frames were adapted for the new EMD 16-645F3B engines to be fitted. The design consisted on a single ended locomotive with a slanted front resembling the AN or EL class of locomotives.
Between 2005 and 2010, a total of 9 out of the 10 planned units were constructed at RTS Islington in Adelaide. These were numbered RL301 to RL310. RL308 was partially built but scrapped in 2008 after a fault in its frame was discovered. The first 7 to be build were owned by CFCLA and some wore their scheme. RL301 had received a yellow and blue livery before being painted into the CFCLA scheme.
Between 2005 and 2010, a total of 9 out of the 10 planned units were constructed at RTS Islington in Adelaide. These were numbered RL301 to RL310. RL308 was partially built but scrapped in 2008 after a fault in its frame was discovered. The first 7 to be build were owned by CFCLA and some wore their scheme. RL301 had received a yellow and blue livery before being painted into the CFCLA scheme.
RL class were originally hired to QR National for their AM/MA services between Melbourne and Adelaide and could be found working with similar EL class locomotives. This stint proved short lived however, as they were sold Coote Industrial, later Greentrains who repainted them into their own livery shortly after. These locomotives would be leased to South Spur Rail Services, and when the company was on-sold to QUBE, one RL went with the deal. QUBE took delivery of a further two RLs. RL309 and RL310 would wear QUBE’s livery and are still operated by them today. QUBE would later operate most of the class, hiring the RLs from Greentrains.
In April 2016, the six Greentrains units were sold to SSR, being RL301 to RL307 (except RL303). Today, SSR operate them with older power on interstate grain trains mainly. RL307 is stored out of service at Lithgow Rail Workshops.
In April 2016, the six Greentrains units were sold to SSR, being RL301 to RL307 (except RL303). Today, SSR operate them with older power on interstate grain trains mainly. RL307 is stored out of service at Lithgow Rail Workshops.
Inside the Cab of an RL Class
The cab of RL306 at Carrington (8/11/08)
Photos By: Brian Atkins
Photos By: Brian Atkins
Locomotive Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current State |
Cootes w/ SSR logos |
SSR |
Sep 2006 - Present |
Operational |
|
Cootes w/ SSR logos |
SSR |
Feb 2007 - Present |
Operational |
|
Cootes |
QUBE |
Jan 2007 - Present |
Operational |
|
Cootes w/ SSR logos |
SSR |
Mar 2007 |
Operational |
|
Cootes w/ SSR logos |
SSR |
Apr 2007 |
Operational |
|
Cootes w/ SSR logos |
SSR |
Unknown - Present |
Operational |
|
Cootes w/Greentrain Logos |
SSR |
Unknown - Present |
Stored |
|
RL308 |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Not Built |
Scrapped |
QUBE Yellow |
QUBE |
10 Sep 2010 - Present |
Operational |
|
QUBE Yellow |
QUBE |
12 Oct 2010 - Present |
Operational |
All information sourced from Australian Locomotive Guide (Peter Clark) and Wikipedia