ISBN: | 978-5-5080-8428-8 |
High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Aurizon electric locomotives are used by Aurizon (formerly QR National) which is the largest rail freight company in Australia with over 145 years of History and is the World`s largest Rail Transporter of Coal from Mine to Port for Export Markets. Early in 1978, discussions were commenced on possible electrification of the Blackwater and Goonyella coal networks. This was due to an expected increase in coal traffic across the networks, ageing diesel-electric locomotive fleet and the increase in diesel fuel costs. By the early part of 1983, a decision was made to electrify the networks and by early 1984 contracts were already starting to be let for the new locomotives and other works for the project. The decision was made to electrify with the 25 kV AC railway electrification system as it was being used in the Brisbane suburban network. This would allow future connection of the Brisbane network with the coal networks via the main north coast line. Electrification would see an improvement in efficiency; lowering of transport cost and a decrease in the turnaround times for each train consist due to increased speed.