Written By: Alex Thorn
Page Last Updated: 28/8/20
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Locomotive Info:
Type: Diesel-Electric Manufactured: EDI Somerton/Cardifff Number Built: 1 Model: GT46C Loco Length: 22 meters Weight: 134 tonnes Engine: EMD 16-710G3B-ES Generator: EMD AR11 PBEH Traction Motors: EMD D87BTRL Horsepower: 4160 Max Speed: 115 km/h |
V544-G523-DL40-G539 on #5PM9 at Laverton. (1/11/06)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
V544 was constructed for Freight Australia, being delivered in 2002. The locomotive came about after G517 and G518 were involved in a head on collision at Ararat in 1999, writing off both locomotives. As part of Freight Victoria’s (later called Freight Australia) insurance deal for the 13 year old G class locomotives, and investigation leading to findings that Freight Victoria was not at fault for the accident, FA was entitled to compensation. The compensation however was not enough for FA to purchase two new locomotives, so they settled to buy one.
V544-G536 lead a freight train from Wodonga into McIntyre. (9/02)
Photo By: Ian Green |
V544 sits on the Standard Gauge turntable in South Dynon Yard. (2003)
Photo By: Ian Green |
Months of research by FA led to them settling on a design based on the Western Australian Q class locomotives. The model was EDI Rail’s GT26C. Engine model was identical to that of the Q class, being the 16-710G3BES. One difference was that V544 was only set up for single direction running, so only one control stand was required. It was also decided that the new locomotive would carry the classification of ‘V’ and have the road number of ‘544’, numerically carrying on from the G class.
Construction of V544 took place at Cardiff Workshops and was complete in May 2002, at a cost of around $4.5 million. Fresh Freight Australia livery had been applied to the locomotive. It was send south to Victoria on its delivery run in the same month on CM3. It was shopped immediately for inspection and soon after, permission was granted for the locomotive to begin testing. It ran from South Dynon to Wallan and return, before a ceremony was held at North Dynon where the unit was names after former federal MP Tim Fischer.
Construction of V544 took place at Cardiff Workshops and was complete in May 2002, at a cost of around $4.5 million. Fresh Freight Australia livery had been applied to the locomotive. It was send south to Victoria on its delivery run in the same month on CM3. It was shopped immediately for inspection and soon after, permission was granted for the locomotive to begin testing. It ran from South Dynon to Wallan and return, before a ceremony was held at North Dynon where the unit was names after former federal MP Tim Fischer.
V544 with two G Classes transferring a fuel wagon near Tottenham. (2002)
Photo By: Ian Green |
V544 in Dynon Yard. (10/5/02)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
The locomotives first duty was on the Bandiana goods, before being provided to SCT to cover for a shortage of G class. It was only used between Melbourne and Adelaide but following rough riding complaints, V544 was delegated to banking duties around Adelaide. It would later make trips over to Perth with SCT. For a period of time after rough riding issued had been tended for, it was popular as a lead unit. Unfortunately, rough riding would haunt V544 in later months, possibly caused by the complex bogie design.
Pacific National would take ownership of the locomotive from Freight Australia in 2004, continuing to provide it for SCT. Mechanical issues would also arise causing the locomotive to see very sporadic usage as time went by. When SCT were provided its own fleet of locomotives, V544 was eventually relived of SCT duties and was quickly moved to Leigh Creek for Coal duties in 2007. It was a popular lead unit, however by 2008, the locomotive was in a poor condition.
Eventually, PN decided to send the locomotive to Port Augusta Workshops for overhaul, retuning with ‘Pacific National’ signage over the ‘Freight’ on the locomotives sides. Despite this overhaul, mechanical issues returned and by 2014, PN sent V544 back to Port Augusta for storage where it has resided since. Its future is unknown.
Pacific National would take ownership of the locomotive from Freight Australia in 2004, continuing to provide it for SCT. Mechanical issues would also arise causing the locomotive to see very sporadic usage as time went by. When SCT were provided its own fleet of locomotives, V544 was eventually relived of SCT duties and was quickly moved to Leigh Creek for Coal duties in 2007. It was a popular lead unit, however by 2008, the locomotive was in a poor condition.
Eventually, PN decided to send the locomotive to Port Augusta Workshops for overhaul, retuning with ‘Pacific National’ signage over the ‘Freight’ on the locomotives sides. Despite this overhaul, mechanical issues returned and by 2014, PN sent V544 back to Port Augusta for storage where it has resided since. Its future is unknown.
Locomotive Status
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current State |
V544 |
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
Jul 2002 - Present |
Stored |
All information sourced from Wikipedia and ‘Power to the Rails' By John Scott