442 Class

The 442 class locomotives (nicknamed "Jumbos") were ordered and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways. They were the second generation of Alco units to be built, and were used on both main freight and passenger service in New South Wales, and throughout Australia since entering private ownership. The 442s have an Alco 12-251C engine, developing 1,491 kilowatts (2,000 hp). They operated on standard gauge, have Co-Co axles, have a mass of 115 t and have a maximum speed of 120 km/h. They are identical to the South Australian Railways 700 class.

Construction
The 442 class were built from 1971 to replace the 40 class locomotives dating 1951, as they could not be economically rebuilt to modern standards. Twenty locomotives were initially ordered from A. E Goodwin, the contract stipulating that the 40 class be accepted as a trade in, with some parts from the older units were used for the new locomotives. The contract was later extended by 20 units to 40 to allow the entire NSW main line network to be dieselised. The first locomotives was completed in October 1970 but was rejected by the NSWGR due to rough riding concerns in testing, with five months passing before it was finally accepted after modifications to the bogie design. Soon after A. E Goodwin collapsed financially, and production of the class came to a standstill. Rival company Commonwealth Engineering of Granville obtained the Australian Alco franchise, and completed the locomotives from 44235 upwards. The last unit was delivered in October 1973. They were originally delivered in NSWGR Tuscan Red, some later being repainted into the 1980s 'Candy' livery, and 1990s FreightCorp blue