C36-7M Class

Road numbers:

5051–2, 5509

Operator:

Rio Tinto Iron Ore (5051–2); UGL (5509)

Gauge:

1435 mm

Year of entry into service:

1987

Number built:

8

Model:

C36-7M

Manufacturer:

Goninan/General Electric

Manufacturing location:

Bassendean, WA

Engine:

GE 7FDL

Traction power:

2685 kW

Wheel arrangement:

Co-Co

Weight:

190.0 t

Length:

19.7 m

Eight C36-7M units entered service from 1987 with Mount Newman Mining in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. They were rebuilt from Alco C636 locomotives and all were sold when newer units became available. Four were obtained by Goninan (now UGL), and two of these were leased to Pilbara Rail (now Rio Tinto), but were withdrawn in 2009. They remain stored at 7 Mile depot in Karratha. Number 5509 was transferred to New South Wales for use as an engine-test bed at Landsdowne, near Taree.