Loco Replacement  BL,EL and DL class
                  Australian National 1980/ 1990
        Reliability was being affected by locomotive breakdowns.
    Despite the introduction of 10 BL-clcass locomotives from 
   1980 onwards and 15 DL-class locomotives in 1988 and 
  1989, the average age of AN locomotives is still over 20
  years , the accepted standard for locomotive economic life.
        The DLs have already made a considerable difference to
  on-time train  arrivals, and there would  be further improvements
  when the first of 14 EL-class locomotives arrived in June 1990.
        Like the DLs. the ELs have high technology  microprocessor
  control systems. Fault diagnostics, ease of maintenance and
  driver comfort are other prominent features.
        The ELs are being used for high-speed haulage of  freight
 and passenger trains on the standard gauge network.
        The streamlined nose and cab are designed to reduce wind 
  resistance and save fuel .  Axleloads are kept to a 19 tonne 
  maximum,  with an unsprung mass of 2.98 tonnes, so that the ELs
  can run at speeds of  l l O kms/ and greater without excessive track  
  wear .   The lightweight traction motors are protected by Inbuilt
  thermal devices to prevent overhearing.
        
        Australian National took delivery of its first "EL" Class 
 locomotive  EL-51 on 27 July 1990. This is AN's first 2460 kW locomotive
 built by Goninans. The unsprung mass is the lightest of all 2460 kW 
 locomotives in Australia.   Extract from " ROA " 1991.