Power type Diesel-electric Model CSR Ziyang SDA1 Total produced 18 | Builder CSR Ziyang Build date 2012- UIC class Co-Co | |
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The CSR Ziyang SDA1 is a high-powered diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by Chinese firm CSR Ziyang, in association with MTU Friedrichshafen of Germany, for use in Australia.
History and design
In September 2010, CSR Ziyang won a 100 million yuan order to supply SCT Logistics with six locomotives for use on transcontinental trains in Australia. This was the first export of a Chinese-built locomotive to Australia. Four more locomotives were ordered in March 2011. The first locomotive was unveiled on 22 July 2011 at Ziyang.
Initial specifications for the locomotives (manufacturer's code SDA1) were for a 120 km/h (75 mph) dual cab, Co-Co locomotive, with a mass of 134 tonnes (132 long tons; 148 short tons), powered by a MTU Friedrichshafen 20V4000R43L engine, with AC traction controlled by IGBT based converters (sourced from Zhuzhou CSR Times Electric.), and a Wabtec braking system.
Testing started in early 2012, which included hauling a large iron ore train at up to 130 km/h (81 mph) between Port Augusta and Adelaide. The locomotives passed their introductory tests on 5 March 2012, allowing operations on mainline routes in Australia to commence. On 16 March 2012 two locomotives (initially numbered CSR001 and CSR002) successfully hauled a 8,080 t (7,950 long tons; 8,910 short tons) train on a 1% grade, completing SCT's tests.
Bradken ordered two locomotives in December 2011 for haulage of iron ore. The order was later increased to four. After a period of storage at East Greta, they were then moved to Broadmeadow yard to be used on QUBE's container trains from Sandgate to Port Botany with the E-3000E3B 1100's.
Qube Logistics ordered six locomotives on 31 January 2013. They are currently being constructed in China and will be classed as the QBX class.
In October 2013, the entire fleet was withdrawn from service and quarantined, after white asbestos was found in the engine area. This is despite the locomotives being certified as asbestos free. By January 2014 remediation work had been carried out and most of the class was already back in service.