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The New South Wales 85 class are a class of 10 electric locomotives built by Comeng, Granville between May 1979 and July 1980 for the Public Transport Commission. [1] [2]
When introduced they were the most powerful locomotives in Australia with a rating of 2,880 kW. Based at Lithgow depot they were purchased principally to haul coal trains over the Blue Mountains line. They also hauled other freight trains and on occasions passenger services including the Indian Pacific .
In 1982, an empty grain train lead by two 85 classes with 8505 at the front collided with an empty coal train as the result of a wrong side signal failure. The guard on the coal train was badly injured and the driver of the grain train was killed. [3]
Following the Illawarra line being electrified in 1986, 85s began to operate coal trains from Lithgow through to Port Kembla. They also occasionally hauled coal services from Glenlee Colliery on the Main South line to Port Kembla and Rozelle. They did not operate on the Main North line although in 1993 all were hauled to Taree for repainting at Landsdowne Engineering. [4]
A combination of National Rail electing to use diesel locomotives on electrified lines and a move to an open access model in New South Wales resulting in electric traction being priced out of the market saw the need for electric traction drop. [5] In April 1998, the 85 class were withdrawn and stored at Lithgow. [2] [6]
Only 10 locomotives were built in the span of two years. All by Commonwealth Engineering at Granville. Comeng had also built the diesel powered 80 classes. This is likely why the car bodies are similar in appearance. [3]
| Number | Entered Service | Withdrawn | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8501 | 30 May 1979 | 29 April 1998 | Preserved |
| 8502 | 17 September 1979 | 23 April 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8503 | 4 February 1980 | 21 January 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8504 | 26 February 1980 | 20 March 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8505 | 16 April 1980 | 23 April 1998 | Involved in the Valley Heights train collision [3] Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8506 | 26 May 1980 | 16 April 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8507 | 13 June 1980 | 24 April 1998 | Preserved |
| 8508 | 30 June 1980 | 29 April 1998 | Scrapped on 8 August 2007 |
| 8509 | 10 July 1980 | 22 February 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
| 8510 | 28 July 1980 | 24th April 1998 | Scrapped in August 2007 |
Electrical equipment was provided by Mitsubishi with two diamond pantographs placed in depressions in the roof.
In July 2000, FreightCorp moved three of the class to Werris Creek. [7] Two were sold for preservation, 8501 to the Sydney Electric Train Society and 8507 to the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum. [8] [9] The remainder were sold in 2003 to Silverton Rail and scrapped at Broken Hill. [2]
| Number | Owner | Location | Status | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8501 | Sydney Electric Train Society | Werris Creek | Stored | [10] |
| 8507 | Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum | West Tamworth | Stored |
There are currently no plans for restoration or static display for either locomotive.