International Railroad Discussion > Australia - Aurizon GT42CU-ACe

Aurizon GT42CU-ACe 4127 (built in Maryborough, Queensland, by Downer EDi Rail in 2009) at Briaba, North Queensland on 13 September 2015.

---

The GT 42 variants seem quite common. What are they comparable to in work output, a SD 40? Asking because I do not know.

Jeff Pape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downer_EDI_Rail_GT42CU_ACe

These locos have a truss frame like the EMD E and F models, The frame is moved inward and forms the sides of the long hood, required to bring the weight down to 120 (metric) tonnes, weight given in the Wikipedia article dubious

An obsolete design. Downer has discontinued locomotive manufacture in Australia. Replaced in EMD's catalogue by the US built GT42AC

Jeff - In the broadest sense these locos would be 75% of an SD40, but it's difficult to make a real comparison with the big differences in weight, AC and DC traction motors and traction system control. For any operator fuel consumption is a big consideration, and while both types are rated at about 3,000 horsepower the 12 cylinder 710 in the GT42CU-ACe is, not surprisingly, a lot more efficient.   

 

jmt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> An obsolete design. Downer has discontinued
> locomotive manufacture in Australia. Replaced in
> EMD's catalogue by the US built GT42AC

Bit like that obsolete GT46C-ACe EMD continues to catalog. Fairly certain EMD would be happy to continue building the GT42CU-ACes if they were ordered but we're out of the mining boom and the market for NG AC diesels seems to be saturated to the point UGL/GE don't seem to be in any kind of a hurry to get their Powerhaul locos out and about.

Darn QLD gubbermint foisting archaic track and clearance gauges on our modern world.....