AUSTRALIA: UGL unveiled the first of the C44ESACi Evolution Series diesel locomotives it is producing for Pacific National at its plant in Broadmeadow in New South Wales on June 17.
The locos are being assembled by UGL as the local co-design partner for US manufacturer Wabtec. PN said the locomotives would be ‘the most technologically advanced and fuel-efficient long-haul units to be made in Australia for Australian conditions’. The freight operator will use the locos, which it designates as Class 94, to haul container trains between 1 500 m and 1 800 m in length between Western Australia and the east coast, and on flows running along the country’s eastern seaboard.
In October 2021, Pacific National awarded UGL a framework contract to design, manufacture and supply up to 123 C44 Evolution diesel locomotives, with a firm order for 50 in the first tranche. Compliant with US EPA Tier 3 emissions standards, the C44s are expected to reduce the operator’s total CO2 emissions by around 15 000 tonnes each year with annual savings of 300 tonnes per locomotive. When the order was placed, the first loco was due to be delivered at the end of 2023.
‘We are really proud to be introducing the very first Evolution locomotive built here in Australia’, said Peter Thomas, Wabtec’s Regional Senior Vice President for Australia. ‘Our partnership with UGL is our pathway to the future as we continue to develop and advance locomotives for Australia.’
