WAGR H class (diesel)

Western Australian Government Railways H class
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric, Rocklea
Serial numberA.081-A.082, A.085-A.087
Build date1964–1965
Total produced5
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARB-B
 • UICBo-Bo, Bo′Bo'
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Wheel diameter3 ft 4 in (1,016 mm)
Minimum curve264 ft (80.467 m)
Wheelbase31 ft 3 in (9.525 m) total, 7 ft 9 in (2.362 m) bogie
Length45 ft 4 in (13.818 m) over couplers
Width9 ft 6 in (2,896 mm)
Height13 ft 8 in (4,166 mm)
Axle load18 long tons
(18.3 tonnes; 20.2 short tons)
Loco weight71.3 long tons
(72.4 tonnes; 79.9 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity1,000 imp gal
(4,500 L; 1,200 US gal)
Prime moverEE 6CSRKT mark 2
RPM range850rpm max
Engine type6 inline Diesel
four stroke, four valves per cylinder
AspirationTurbocharged, intercooled
GeneratorEE 819/8F
Traction motorsEE 538
Cylinders6
Cylinder size10 in × 12 in
(254 mm × 305 mm)
Transmissionelectric
MU working110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Loco brakeAir, dynamic brake
Train brakesair
Performance figures
Maximum speed65 miles per hour (105 km/h)
Power output950 hp (710 kW) gross, 860 hp (640 kW) net
Tractive effort37,700 lbf (167.7 kN) at 6.5 mph (10 km/h)
Career
OperatorsWestern Australian Government Railways
Number in class5
NumbersH1-H5
First run1965
Current ownerSCT Logistics
Disposition3 in service, 1 stored, 1 scrapped

The H class are a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Western Australian Government Railways in 1964–1965.

History

To assist with the conversion of the 657-kilometre (408 mi) Eastern Goldfields Railway from Perth to Kalgoorlie to standard gauge, five locomotives were purchased from built English Electric. After being shipped by sea from Rocklea, they were hauled on narrow gauge to Upper Swan with the first entering service in January 1965.[1]

After the completion of the gauge conversion project they began to haul local freight and infrastructure trains. In October 1992, H4 was scrapped with the other used as shunters at Forrestfield until withdrawn in 1996. All were sold in 1997 to SCT Logistics for use as shunters at Dynon, Islington and Kewdale.[2][3][4][5]

Class List

Key: In Service Withdrawn Preserved Scrapped
Serial number Entered Service Road Number Current/Last Owner Status
A.081 March, 1965 H1 SCT Logistics Stored, Melbourne
A.082 May, 1965 H2 SCT Logistics Stored, Forrestfield
A.085 January, 1966 H3 SCT Logistics Stored, Forrestfield
A.086 February, 1966 H4 Westrail Scrapped (October, 1992)
A.087 January, 1966 H5 SCT Logistics Stored, Forrestfield

References

  1. ^ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 283. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
  2. ^ Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 326. ISBN 9781921719011.
  3. ^ "Westrail EE's Get Second Chance" Railway Digest November 1997 page 39
  4. ^ H Class (WA, Diesel-Electric) Railpage
  5. ^ H Class Vicsig