SSR will be doing transfers from the dock to Cardiff but will not be leasing or purchasing locos. They will be painted at Cardiff and it sounds like an owner has been found before they even land and it’s not SSR

PN and SCT who grabbed the LDPs must be likely customers....

Peter

Just saw a post on Facebook showing these new units have now arrived. They arrived of a ship at Carrington sometime today and have been taken to Cardiff by SSR units 48s34 and 602. While it’s difficult to tell due to protective plastic, it appears EMD101, EMD102 and EMD103 are in a white undercoat livery.

Just saw a post on Facebook showing these new units have now arrived. They arrived of a ship at Carrington sometime today and have been taken to Cardiff by SSR units 48s34 and 602. While it’s difficult to tell due to protective plastic, it appears EMD101, EMD102 and EMD103 are in a white undercoat livery.

Also on Flickr

Bring up Carrington for the 13th

Latest Motive Power has a photo of EMD102 in primer and states one will be based at Cardiff and two at Port Augusta.

3 demo for Australia

If these were "built for Australia" in 2016, why aren't they in Australia?

No customers. Expect them to be here by years end, is what I was informed by a manager from Muncie.

Jack

Seriously? They are "demonstrators" for Australia. Bring them to Australia and demonstrate them!

If every operator in the country already knows what a GT46 does, nobody really needs to see a demo. Perhaps you build demos while you try to get your Tier 4 into production, or maybe there is a new style hotplate available.

EMD really should have built the proposed narrow gauge 138/150-tonne GT46CU-ACe as demonstrators instead - proving this design on the Aurizon coal network (theoretically capable of supporting a 159-tonne six axle locomotive) would have made a much bigger impact than building updated versions of the proven standard gauge design. There remains an ongoing need for the next generation narrow gauge AC traction Australian diesel, which to date has not been exploited by EMD. Both Aurizon and PN will need new power sooner rather than later - and PN's dalliances with the SDA-2 88 class and the UGL/GE PowerHauls has shown current available designs have long and difficult transitions from construction to active service. Between them, Aurizon, PN and BMA have 358 locomotives allocated to the Aurizon coal network.

I agree with the need to get a 3'6" GT46CU-ACe moving quickly now.

Although the Newlands system which will include Adani coal traffic is not electrified there is plenty of diesel hauled coal trains on the rest of the QLD network.  
Siemens could sell more electrics for the rest of the system allowing current 4000 types to be reallocated to Newlands.  PR EMD could miss out on a lot of sales through complacency.

I was also wondering if anyone knows where the 88's and Power Hauls are currently running.  I put some photos of the 88's on Flickr when they were new but have seen nothing of the Power Hauls after they left NSW.

The 88s are currently working as trailing locomotives and DP remotes on the Blackwater System, but not apparently allowed to lead. The PHs are still undergoing testing and accreditation on the Goonyella System, I stiil haven't heard of them working a train, but they were testing around Dysart a couple of months ago.