CSR Ziyang/ MTU/ TEC 4250Hp Diesel Electric Co-Co Locomotive model SDA1 Bradken class BK. The CSR Ziyang SDA1 is a high-powered diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by Chinese firm CSR Ziyang, in association with MTU Friedrichshafen of Germany, for use in Australia. Here it is seen attacking Cowan Bank with a 1500 Tonne train.
Cowan Bank is an 8.6 kilometre double-track section of the standard gauge Main North line in New South Wales, Australia. It starts at Cowan station, 48.8 kilometres north of Sydney, descending from 200 metres to sea level at Hawkesbury River station. It has an average grade of 2.5% (1 in 40) with short stretches of 1 in 35. 12 chain radius curves with a superelevation for higher speed passenger trains causes extreme wheel unloading on slower speed heavy freight trains.
Cowan Bank has five tunnels (of which four are still in use), one level crossing (for track work road vehicles only) situated between Boronia #2 and #3 tunnels, and two road bridges. The line crosses under the Pacific Highway twice, once using a road bridge near Cowan station and again while passing through Boronia #1 tunnel. It crosses under the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway while passing through Boronia #2 tunnel. The line was built through very rugged and heavily forested terrain on the western edge of the Kuring-Gai Chase National Park. Because of its isolated location there are very few places from where the track can be observed - sections of the Pacific Highway on the ridge between Cowan and the Hawkesbury River provide a few vantage points.
The video illustrates the locomotives capability in hauling a 1500 tonne train, the locomotive really bites in giving high adhesion levels at 18Km/ph.