C44-9W Class (Rio Tinto Iron Ore) | Railways and Tramways of Australia

C44-9W Class

Anchor 1

Road numbers:

7043–50, 7053–92, 7094–98, 9401–9, 9428–36

Operator:

Rio Tinto Iron Ore

Gauge:

1435 mm

Year of entry into service:

1995

Number built:

Model:

Dash 9-44CW

Manufacturer:

General Electric

Manufacturing location:

Erie, Pennsylvania, USA

Engine:

GE 7FDL

Traction power:

3281 kW

Wheel arrangement:

Co-Co

Weight:

196.7 t

Length:

21.4 m

Model C44-9W locomotives 7085 and 7068, when under ownership of Hamersley Iron, with an iron ore train between Tom Price and Dampier, 6 October 1996.

These units were the most powerful diesel locomotives in Australia upon beginning service in 1995 with Hamersley Iron in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Hamersley Iron later merged with Robe River to become Pilbara Rail, then later Pilbara Iron, which is owned by Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Further C44-9W locomotives were obtained until 2006, eventually bringing the total to 72. Nearly all class members remain in service throughout Rio Tinto Iron Ore’s Pilbara network.