Freight Australia XR class

Class of diesel locomotives used in Australia

4 ft 8+1⁄2 in),
1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)Length18.34 m (60 ft 2 in)Fuel typeDieselPrime moverEMD 16-645E3CEngine typeV16AspirationTurbochargedCylindersV16

Performance figures
Maximum speed	115 km/h (71 mph)
Power output	2,461 kW (3,300 hp)

Career
Operators	Freight Australia Pacific National
Number in class	9
Numbers	XR550-XR555, XR557-XR559
Current owner	Pacific National
Disposition	9 in service

The XR class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Freight Australia and Pacific National at South Dynon Locomotive Depot.

History

Between 2002 and 2004, Freight Australia rebuilt six X class locomotives with engines cascaded from G class locomotives, larger radiators, and a new cab to provide better driver visibility.^[1]^[2]^[3] The first six (XR550 - XR555) were converted from X38, X35, X40, X33, X34 and X32 respectively. A seventh (XR556) was planned to be converted from X36 but never eventuated.^[4]

A further three (XR557 - XR559) were built in 2004/05 by Freight Australia's successor, Pacific National, as new-builds.^[4]

In 2020, several were placed in store due to a poor grain harvest.^[5]^[6] As at October 2022, all nine were active, seven on the broad gauge and two (XR558 and XR559) on standard gauge. As of November 2023 all are on BG except XR557 & XR559 ^[7]

The class are mechanically similar to the later XRB class B units.^[4]

References

^ Here & There Australian Railway History issue 774 April 2002 page 154
^ X class rebuilding project Railway Digest October 2003 pages 29-32
^ Locomotive Upgrading by the Operator Railway Digest July 2004 page 39
^ ^a ^b ^c Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s - 2010. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 345. ISBN 9781921719011.
^ Four stored XR Class locos moved - two for further storage and two for reactivation Newsrail September 2020 page 255
^ MotivePower Roundup Motive Power issue 133 January 2021 page 116
^ Australia Wide Fleet List Motive Power issue 144 November 2022 page 69