Something different - a hybrid if you will

[tarrant75]

I've been reminiscing about growing up in Australia during the 80's and early 90's (1976 baby here), and thinking about how I've wanted to build some of the stuff you'd see down there that is unique (at least when compared to North America - my home since 1993).

After some discussion with a few friends in the Open Rails community, I was convinced to build something that I would want for a change, rather than trying to appease everyone else. So it was that I decided to build a variation on a V/Line N class, but upgraded to North American standards for my Freelance road, the Southern Alberta Railway. The original loco is more a passenger version of an SD39-2 (2,475 HP, 61' long)... I did mine more on an SD40-2 frame, so it came out at almost 69' and 3,000 HP. It's designed to be used on freight or Passenger.

[derekmorton]

Hi Chris,

The N class is in my neck of the woods.
Many votes for any Oz equipment.
I would be very happy to test for you.

[ossie]

Assuming you're using it for freight ops you'll be mirroring real life Chris. With our (horrible) VLocitys taking over, some of the N's are being leased out to SSR for use. I caught a couple pulling a grain train recently. I think it's the first time they've seen freight ops since the very early days with V/Line.

[tarrant75]

Assuming you're using it for freight ops you'll be mirroring real life Chris. With our (horrible) VLocitys taking over, some of the N's are being leased out to SSR for use. I caught a couple pulling a grain train recently. I think it's the first time they've seen freight ops since the very early days with V/Line.

That was what finally inspired me to do it. Saw a recent pic of two of them bracketing a pair of S's and thought they'd look pretty schmick leading some regular NA stuff.

Classifying them in this case as "SD40-2P's

[ossie]

Good stuff!

If you're not already keeping an eye on videos down here, there's some interesting stuff happening with SSR. They got a bit of stick for being "rent a wreck" but their loco lash ups are sensational imo. They've just acquired all the C class (apart from C501) and A70 has come out of Bendigo looking amazing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70qFFIjpJgU

[dcarleton]

Classifying them in this case as "SD40-2P's

So then, the area between the cab and the turbocharger bulge would be for head-end power equipment?

[tarrant75]

Yeah, the old man lives in Cootamundra, so I keep reasonably up to date with SSR. I have to admit, I'd love to see A70 come up to NSW on standard gauge, but we have three of the B's (on the line out from Lithgow usually), plus the C's, the pair of G's and most of the CL's, so I guess I shouldn't be greedy.

[tarrant75]

So then, the area between the cab and the turbocharger bulge would be for head-end power equipment?

Yes... I just haven't added the HEP cables "yet"... might, if I get really industrious, get it done this weekend

[ossie]

Yeah, the old man lives in Cootamundra, so I keep reasonably up to date with SSR. I have to admit, I'd love to see A70 come up to NSW on standard gauge, but we have three of the B's (on the line out from Lithgow usually), plus the C's, the pair of G's and most of the CL's, so I guess I shouldn't be greedy.

We stayed at Cootamundra in the 70's when I was a kid Chris. I can't remember where we were heading, probably QLD, but one look at the yard and I'd have happily spent the entire holiday there. My old man always loved travelling for his holidays and it's a shame we didn't have video cameras back in those days. Some of the yards I saw like Cootamundra, Junee, Parkes, Tailem Bend, Echuca, Bendigo, Dimboola etc were incredible and I wish I had clearer memories of them when they were in full swing.

There was discussion on one of the A70 videos that it would probably finish up in NSW, so fingers crossed, we may get to see it working with the B's at some stage. Whatever happens it's just great SSR are giving a lot them another go round. If it was up to PacNat they'd most likely be rusting away somewhere or getting put through the shredder.

[qballbandit]

Great job Chris. Not knowing what it as when the picture first popped up, it looked like maybe a MOW power car for something. Very cool. Pretty much everything looks good wearing your SAR colors!