Watco Australia WRA Class

The Watco Australia WRA Class is an Australian diesel-electric locomotive, currently being constructed by the National Railway Equipment Company in the United States for use on Watco Australia's upcoming grain services in Queensland.

Watco Australia WRA Class
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder National Railway Equipment Company Model NREC GT22LC-3
Specifications Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Axle load 15,750 kg (34,720 lb) Loco weight 94,500 kg (208,300 lb) Prime mover EMD 12-645E3B Engine type V12 Diesel engine Alternator EMD AR10/D14 Traction motors GE761
Performance figures Tractive effort 250 kN (56,000 lbf)
Career Number in class 8 Numbers WRA001–WRA008

History

In 2018, Watco Australia announced the order of 8 of the WRA Class locomotives for use on the Queensland Rail network. They are equipped with a V12 diesel prime mover, rated at 1.6MW. The locomotive is similar in specification to local units, such as the 2300 class.[1]

Delivery to Australia

On 16 August 2019, Watco Australia announced that the first two units were being delivered to Australia. The company have stated that they would begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2019.[2] WRA001 and 002 arrived at The Port of Brisbane on the vessel Tarago on 9 October 2019 and were transferred to Warwick behind QR locomotive 1724.

References

1. "Specifications revealed for Watco Australia locomotives". International Railway Journal. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
2. The Dispatch July 2019 - Watco Companies. Watco Australia. 2019.

External links

• "Watco loco transfer" (Video 4 mins 55 secs). 27 December 2019.