It seems a long time since TasRail signed the contract for the supply of its 17 new locomotives in December 2011. However, we’ve been making all the relevant preparations well ahead of the arrive of the first two locomotives, know affectionately as ‘the twins.’
Tailored to meet the specific operating conditions of our lines, these locomotives were manufactured by Downer Rail’s technology partner Progress Rail Services (PRS) a subsidiary of CAT Pty Ltd.
The PR22L series of locomotives is a new product for the Downer brand and is a PRS design based on the GT26 EMD model locomotive upgraded with the well proven Caterpillar 3512CHD engine.
The locomotive contains many new features, which are incorporated as standard in many of the CAT and PRS repower projects in North America. The twins arrived into Bell Bay Port on Friday and were roaded and railed to East Tamar Junction where the commissioning process can begin.
The PR22L locomotive is initially designed to comply with very restrictive outside gauge to fit through tunnels in Tasmania and will comply with all key TasRail requirements, that will lay the foundation for an efficient and reliable branch line operation.
