AWE Class

Road numbers:

AWE2353

Operator:

Aurizon

Gauge:

1067 mm

Year of entry into service:

2025

Number built:

Model:

Manufacturer:

Aurizon/Alta

Manufacturing location:

Townsville, Qld

Engine:

Traction power:

Wheel arrangement:

Co-Co

Weight:

94.5 t

Length:

17.0 m

AWE2353 is an experimental battery electric tender. Following receipt of a grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), it was built by Aurizon and technology project partner, Alta Battery Technology (Alta). Future aims are to extend the range for freight hauls up to 850 kilometres through coupling the battery-electric tender with the battery-electric locomotive. AWE2353 entered service as a 2300 Class locomotive in 1999. It has had its engine removed and is coupled to a tender made from a container wagon, which contains batteries to power the locomotive.