description NSW 81 Class (Australia) Overview
The New South Wales 81 class is a fleet of Co-Co diesel-electric freight locomotives introduced in 1982 for the State Rail Authority of New South Wales, Australia. Built by Clyde Engineering, a division of Commonwealth Engineering, they were based on the Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) GT46C platform and equipped with a 3,000-horsepower EMD 16-645E engine. They quickly became the standard heavy-haulage freight locomotive for the state's rail network.
help NSW 81 Class (Australia) FAQ
When was the New South Wales 81 class introduced?
The NSW 81 class entered service in 1982 and was built by Clyde Engineering at Kelso. Eighty locomotives were produced between 1982 and 1986 for freight and other main-line duties. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_81_class_locomotive)
What engine powers an NSW 81 class locomotive?
The class uses a turbocharged EMD 16-645E3B diesel engine rated at about 2,460 kW. Its Co-Co wheel arrangement spreads the locomotive's weight across six powered axles. [NSW Environment Protection Authority](https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/air/diesel-locomotive-emissions-report.pdf)
What trains did the NSW 81 class haul?
The first 42 locomotives were based at Broadmeadow for Hunter Valley coal trains. Other members worked the Main South line between Sydney and Albury, hauling both passenger and freight trains. [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales_81_class_locomotive)
Is the NSW 81 class related to Australia's G and BL classes?
Yes. The Victorian G class and Australian National BL class developed from the same Clyde Engineering and EMD 645 family used by the NSW 81 class. They are related Australian diesel-electric designs, although each railway ordered its own equipment and specifications. [Powerline](https://www.powerline.com.au/info/81class.pdf)
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