CM3311 & 4532 Parkes NSW. Mon 02nd June 2025

CM3311 and 4532 arrive at Parkes NSW whilst CM3302 looks on, in western NSW. Veteran ALCO unit 4532 has fallen on hard times and failed in the section between Narwonah and Goobang Junction NSW and is shut down.

CM3311 was imported as a "ready-to-run" locomotive built by Motive Power of Boise, Idaho USA, the company is part of the Wabtec Group. Designated model MP33C a total of 16 were made for Rail First Asset Management (formerly CFCLA) between 2012 & 2015.

Powered by a V8 Cummins QSK78 turbo charged 3,300hp prime mover with a published track speed of 115KMh. The alternator is a Kato RM1665 and the loco is fitted with a Q-Tron QESlll control system. Equipped with a Wabtec Fast Brake linked to a three-stage extended range dynamic brake.

The six DC traction motors are D87BTR by EMD, they are also fitted with a high pressure (HPLPT) full authority fuel system which meets Tier-2 and 2gTA emission standard requirements.

Crews are divided with some loving them and others not so affectionate for the "CM" class, water leaks became an issue for a period of time. Sister locomotives include the "CBH" class (25 units) built for the CBH Group in Western Australia.

Veteran ALCO 4532 was one of 40 built by A. E. Goodwin at Auburn NSW for the then NSWGR between 1962 and 1964. They are ALCO "World Series" model DL-541. Of note, is that Indian Railways also built around 2,000 of these locomotives, known as the DL560C model between 1962 and 2016 at their "DLW" (Diesel Locomotive Workshops) at Varanasi.

The Indian Railways version of the 45 class has the same ALCO V12 turbo charged four stroke 12-251B prime mover. Indian Railways also made an export version sold to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Peru. Greece and Spain also operated the same locomotive type, so they were a very popular unit over the years.

Powered by a V12 four stroke turbo charged ALCO 12-251B prime mover delivering 1,800hp, RPM range is 400-1,000. Published track speed is 120KMh. Main generator is an AEI 5301. Loco weight is 112 tonnes, fuel capacity is 5,500 litres, coolant 950 litres and lube oil capacity of 750 litres.

Although they were often regarded as "rough riders" they had a sound reputation as good pullers and reliable where they were mainly used on heavy freight services as well as passenger working, including the Indian Pacific, on the main western line. Many referred to them as an "overgrown" 48 class.

4532 was rebuilt as "3532" with a single control stand and improved cab insulation by the then SRA of NSW. 3532 was sold to great Northern Rail Services in 2000 but was never used and remained in storage.

In June 2002 it was sold to Silverton Rail and renumbered from 3532 to 45s1 before passing to Greentrains in 2013 when they took over Silverton South Spur Rail Services. Southern Shorthaul Railroad purchased 45s1 in April 2016 and later returned it to the original "4532" classification in September 2019.

Very few members of the once 40 class members survive today with 31 or so already scrapped. Although they have many "relatives" overseas the only Australian relative is the former South Australian Railways "600" class also built by A. E. Goodwin at Auburn NSW in 1969.

Did you know? Motive Power was established by Morris Knudsen Rail in 1972; the company went bankrupt in in 1996 and was acquired by the Wabtec Group following a merger in 1999. In 2020 the Boise plant in Idaho was closed with locomotive construction shifted to Wabtec's legacy GE Transportation plant in Erie, Pennsylvania USA. In recent years locomotive construction has been outsourced to Brazil and Mexico.
1038hrs on Monday 02nd of June 2025, Parkes NSW

Видео CM3311 & 4532 Parkes NSW. Mon 02nd June 2025 канала Australian Trains