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.