The BLs were built by Clyde under license from GM at Rosewater, SA, in 1983 and 1984 for Australian National for use on Intercapital freights. They have seen service with AN, National Rail and now Pacific National. These locomotives are used on a number of different duties including ore trains, broad gauge steel trains to Long Island, Vic, and East Coast Banking duties. The BLs seen in Queensland are generally coupled between two NRs for banking duties on the East Coast between Melbourne and Brisbane.

References

'Australian National BL class', Wikipedia (accessed October 2026)
'BL Class', Railtram Australia (accessed October 2026)

Technical details

Model NumberJT26C-2SS
BuilderClyde Engineering, Rosewater
Locomotive NumbersBL26-35
Number in Class10
Introduced1983
GaugeStandard Gauge (1,435mm or 4' 8½")
Broad Gauge (5' 3" or 1600mm)
AxlesOº-Oº-Oº Oº-Oº-Oº
Co-Co
Length19.82m
Mass129t
EngineEMD 16-645E3B
Generator/AlternatorEMD AR16
Traction MotorsEMD D77B
Power2460kW / 3300HP
Starting Tractive Effort465kN @ 30% adhesion
Continuous Tractive Effort337kN @ 18km/h
Speed115km/h

Photos

Class roster

10 of 10 locomotives
BL26 83-1010 Mar-83 - -
BL27 83-1011 Sep-83 - -
BL28 83-1012 Sep-83 - -
BL29 83-1013 Oct-83 - -
BL30 83-1014 Dec-83 - -
BL31 83-1015 Nov-83 - -
BL32 83-1016 Feb-84 - -
BL33 83-1017 Apr-84 - -
BL34 83-1018 Jun-84 - -
BL35 283-1019 Jul-84 - -