Railways and Tramways of Australia
Prospector
NR27 at right waits for departure with the Indian Pacific as the Prospector approaches, East Perth Terminal, 11 October 2009.
Road numbers:
WDA001–3, WDB011–13, WDC021
Operator:
Transwa
Gauge:
1435 mm
Year of entry into service:
2004
Number built:
7
Manufacturer:
Goninan
Manufacturing location:
Broadmeadow, NSW
Engine:
2 x Cummins N14E-R3
Traction power:
386 kW
Weight:
68.0 t
Length:
25.4 m (WDA: Driving power car with buffet; WDB: Driving power car); 24.4 m (WDC: Non-driving power car)
Seats:
60 (WDB: Driving power car; WDC: Non-driving power car); 38 (WDA: Driving power car with buffet)
The Prospector operates on standard gauge between East Perth Terminal and Kalgoorlie. Diesel Multiple Units currently forming the Prospector entered service in June 2004, and brought reductions in the travel time between Perth and Kalgoorlie. The fleet consists of two two-car sets and a three-car set. Each car has two Cummins engines. They have a theoretical maximum speed of 200 km/h, but in service operate at up to 160 km/h. The cab moulding on the front of the Prospector cars is yellow.