Reviews

State Rail Authority of New South Wales (SRA of NSW) 81 class diesel electric locomotive in Candy livery r-t-r in HO scale by SDS Models, PO Box 804, Winston Hills NSW 2153. Phone: 0431423878. Email: sales@sdsmodels.com.au Web Site: www.sdsmodels.com.auPrice: $335.00 for powered – DC, DCC ready.

Prototype

With the formation of the SRA of NSW on 1July1980, it took responsibility for the state’s Rail, Bus and Ferry networks. One of its main goals was to modernise the NSW rail system. The 81 class locomotive and a new paint scheme were born in this time of modernisation and rationalisation. The SRA of NSW at its formation was reliant on several classes aging 1800 and 2000 hp locomotives. The horsepower at the time was restricted by the traction control systems available.

The previous New South Wales Government Railways (NSWGR) had trialled various 3000hp locomotives from other state operators during the late 70’s but were not convinced that traction control systems of the time could make full use of that amount of horsepower. This is where Clyde Engineering, under licence of EMD USA, lobbied its new ‘Super Series’ traction control system to the SRA of NSW. Locomotive 42220 was offered up as a ‘Super Series’ test bed and sent to Clyde’s Rosewater plant in South