International Railroad Discussion > Questions about Australian railroads

Hey Gang,

I model American railroad in modern times but noticed the fine looking Australian locomotives made by Auscision in N scale. I see many different paint schemes. Are these separate railroads or a single national rail system? The locomotve numbering system starts with NR then 30, 152 or 117 and so on. Does a particular paint scheme run on particular routes? Any info/assitance appreciated. I am a 100% novice when it comes to Australian railroading.
Regards!

I see a few different  paint schemes on the NR class through here ,even the special passenger( Ghan & Indian Pacific) train units on occasion. 
Regards,DK

The NR class Cv40-9i locomotives are all owned and operated by Pacific National. The class originally numbered 120 (and were numbered NR1 to NR120) and they operate on the main trunk routes connecting the Australian capitals - Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne, Melbourne-Adelaide-Perth, Sydney-Adelaide-Perth and Adelaide-Darwin. Most of their work is in pairs or triples on intermodal trains, but they also work long-distance passenger trains, steel trains and mineral trains. Most of the NRs are painted Pacific National blue with a yellow cab, but there are quite a few in special paint schemes. Generally, the NRs have common equipment throughout the class, so any loco can be used on any task at any time. As an example, that while means you'll see locos painted for the Adelaide-Darwin "Ghan" passenger train heading that train, you'll also see them on a steel train on the east coast, or an intermodal train to Perth. Catching one of the NRs in a special colour scheme is usually a highlight, but you're more likely to see a plain old blue NR on the front of any Pacific National freight or Great Southern passenger train. 

9E56 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The NR class Cv40-9i locomotives are all owned and
> operated by Pacific National. The class originally
> numbered 120 (and were numbered NR1 to NR120) and
> they operate on the main trunk routes connecting
> the Australian capitals -
> Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne,
> Melbourne-Adelaide-Perth, Sydney-Adelaide-Perth
> and Adelaide-Darwin. Most of their work is in
> pairs or triples on intermodal trains, but they
> also work long-distance passenger trains, steel
> trains and mineral trains. Most of the NRs are
> painted Pacific National blue with a yellow cab,
> but there are quite a few in special paint
> schemes. Generally, the NRs have common equipment
> throughout the class, so any loco can be used on
> any task at any time. As an example, that while
> means you'll see locos painted for the
> Adelaide-Darwin "Ghan" passenger train heading
> that train, you'll also see them on a steel train
> on the east coast, or an intermodal train to
> Perth. Catching one of the NRs in a special colour
> scheme is usually a highlight, but you're more
> likely to see a plain old blue NR on the front of
> any Pacific National freight or Great Southern
> passenger train. 

To further clarify things National Rail was owned by 
the governments of New South Wales and Victoria.
They purchased the 120 NR class locomotives. So
the National Rail paint schemes are correct. In 2002
National Rail was privatized becoming Pacific National.
The private company Journey Beyond acquired all 
Interstate passenger trains in Australia except for the
twice daily XPT service between Sydney and
Melbourne and the service from Sydney to Canberra.
Journey Beyond contracts with Pacific National to
provide locomotives and Engine crews to operate its
trains so some of the locomotives are painted in
special schemes and colors to highlight the services.
Prior to this year two locomotives were involved in
wrecks where one or both drivers were killed, and in
their honor the locomitves received new numbers
when they were rebuilt and returned to service.