CLF3 'cold start' Bogan Gate NSW. Wed 21st June 2023

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It's minus four degrees with a severe frost at Bogan Gate in western NSW, plus a deep fog which is starting to lift. CLP12 & CLF3 have been stabled overnight in the "Grain Siding" with a loaded ARTC ballast train in tow. Even the video camera dislikes the cold conditions shutting down three times with "low battery" on the display despite the charge indicator showing 92%.

With the camera playing up the cold start for CLP12 was missed, however, after 10 minutes in the car with the heater on the camera settled down and thus CLF3 was captured starting up. The train was due out around 0930hrs west bound to drop ballast on the main western line and then terminating at Broken Hill NSW later in the week.

In case you are wondering, yes, CLP12 also started first time, none of the pair blew out thick white smoke like many older locomotives do when first started. It was to be a long day for this train, departing Bogan Gate quite late and then having "issues" just out of Yarrabandai NSW, it was noted stopped in the section, around three hours late.

Both CLP12 & CLF3 started life as the "CL" class when they were built new by Clyde Engineering at Granville NSW for the then Commonwealth Railways and were delivered in the dark maroon and silver livery. They were built in two orders between 1970 & 1972, made famous as the last locomotives in the world built in the EMD Streamliner/Bulldog nose design. CLP12 was handed over new on 21st January 1972 originally as CL15 and CLF3 was delivered new 26th November 1970 originally as CL7.

Built to haul heavy express freight and passenger trains across the Nullarbor Plain to Perth WA and later, to Alice Springs and hence Darwin NT they were repainted in the classic green and yellow Australian National Railways livery by Morris Knudsen. The CLP class had a slightly different livery to that of the CLF, to reflect passenger train working.

Back when first introduced in 1970 the "CL" class generated much interest in NSW resulting in NSWGR taking a keen interest in the road trials of CL1 conducted by Clyde Engineering at Granville NSW. In March 1975 CL1 returned to NSW on the Indian Pacific and then was subsequently tested on the Southern Aurora and Spirit of Progress high speed interstate passenger trains down to Albury and return. Testing was also conducted on interstate express freights.

In 1992 a contract was awarded to Morris Knudsen to overhaul all 17 class members commencing in 1993 which seen them totally stripped and rebuilt at the Whyalla SA factory. Seven were reclassed as "CLF" with the "F" designating "Freight" and ten emerged as "CLP" class with the "P" designating "Passenger". The "CLP" class were fitted with 415 Volt "Head End Power" for passenger working, ie: the "Indian Pacific", "The Ghan" and "The Overland".

During the rebuild by Morris Knudsen none of the locomotives retained their original "CL" class road numbers and emerged with new class numbers. CLF3 in the video was originally CL7 delivered on 26th November 1970 and CLP12 was originally CL15 delivered on 21st January 1972.

All seventeen received upgraded prime movers with the 3,000hp EMD 645E3 replaced by a refurbished (imported from the USA) turbo charged two stroke EMD 16-645E3C delivering 3,300hp. They emerged with new model numbers, the CLP designated EMD AT26HC-2M and the CLF's as AT26C-2M.

The original EMD AR10 alternators were replaced with EMD AR10A7-D14 alternators and the original EMD D77 traction motors were also replaced with EMD D78 model improved units. With two Cummins powered "Head End Power" units the CLP class were around two tonnes heavier than the CLF.

At the time, the published track speed for the CLP class was 140KMh and the CLF class was 130KMh, also the CLP class had increased fuel capacity of 11,360 litres compared to 10,230 litres for the CLF class.

Privatisation of the Australian National on the 28th of August 1997 seen the CLP and CLF class end up with the Australian Railroad group (ARG) and repainted in their American style dark orange and black livery. In 2006 ten of the class were sold to Queensland National and five to Genesee & Wyoming Railroad (Australian division). CLP12 was named "Ngadjuri" by ARG during its tenure.

Today 11 remain in service, two are stored, one is under overhaul, one is preserved and two were scrapped. They have a unique idling sound, akin to that of an AN class, they are popular with crews and considered a hard working reliable locomotive.

Southern Shorthaul Railroad have CLF1 CLF3, CLP9 & CLP12 in their current fleet, purchased in 2019. Further video viewing of these locomotives is available on this site. Just enter the locomotive number in the "search" box to view more.

0820hrs on Wednesday 21st of June 2023.
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New subscriber from the States my friend and great video! Thing is a monster!

anthonyhunt
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Thanks for the extensive notes and braving the cold.

cabbagepatch
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Always loved the big CLF's. Space Ghost sleeping in the cold morning mist is a majestic sight.

Trains-With-Shane
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A fantastic looking diesel locomotive. Nice video. 🙂

allan
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Wow great video of these classics! - Jenny

StormySkyRailProductions
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Dave what a great sound you've captured there and I love how close you get. Well done.

trainspottingwithbarrie
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Fantastic video and sound Dave well done

jamesburnside
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Great video Dave! Atmospheric, ghostly even...oh wait! haha

xptsdamob
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Great capture Dave, cold morning and fog, what a combination. Time to throw a Mallee root on the fire and warm up. Cheers.

slepper
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Goodday Dave,

Heard that start up a few times in the past.

Air Compressor going flat stick at the same time.

Looks cold

Cheers

Louis Kats 👍

louiskats
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Cool. Rod Kelly has CLF2 and CLF4 on his channel. Too.

DaleDix
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Never tire of that sight or sound of those two very atmospheric with the fog.

graemewhite
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hello l can hear a locomotive running in the background

FinnSainty-urvm
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I would like to see that train someday

denvergreen
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2 good antqe roplish on u 🤍 🎉 good luk on u 🤍🤍

arunbhoopathyt