In June 1989,
Australian National awarded a contract for 14
Dash 8 locomotives to
A Goninan & Co[1] with the first delivered in July 1990.[2] Even though they were the most powerful locomotives to have operated by Australian National, they were fitted with lightweight traction motors which reduced their tractive effort by 33% compared to the preceding
DL class locomotives. They were ordered for use on passenger and fast freight services and geared for a top speed of 140 km/h.[3][4]
In Jan 2024, the remaining 9 were sold to
Railfirst Asset Management.[7] All were overhauled by
A Goninan & Co,
Bassendean, during which they were re-geared, reducing their top speed to 125 km/h, but resulting in their tractive effort increasing by 19%.[3][8] All have been repainted into Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia's yellow, blue and silver livery and named after famous Australian racehorses. They have been leased to a variety of operators and have run in all mainland states.[9]
In June 1989,
Australian National awarded a contract for 14
Dash 8 locomotives to
A Goninan & Co[1] with the first delivered in July 1990.[2] Even though they were the most powerful locomotives to have operated by Australian National, they were fitted with lightweight traction motors which reduced their tractive effort by 33% compared to the preceding
DL class locomotives. They were ordered for use on passenger and fast freight services and geared for a top speed of 140 km/h.[3][4]
In Jan 2024, the remaining 9 were sold to
Railfirst Asset Management.[7] All were overhauled by
A Goninan & Co,
Bassendean, during which they were re-geared, reducing their top speed to 125 km/h, but resulting in their tractive effort increasing by 19%.[3][8] All have been repainted into Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia's yellow, blue and silver livery and named after famous Australian racehorses. They have been leased to a variety of operators and have run in all mainland states.[9]