World War II was a major setback for Western Australia's railway system. The need to move large numbers of troops and material had taken its toll on the ability of the railways to continue the construction of much needed motive power. During the war years only 13 new locomotives were built, three S class and 10 Australian Standard Garratts. By 1944, approximately a quarter of the WAGR's locomotive fleet was out of action pending maintenance. Much of it was over forty years old.[1]
History
The Dm class was based on the earlier D class but differed significantly in the addition of large boiler-length side tanks, and was built by converting older E class tender locomotives.[2] They were built to haul suburban passenger services in Perth. They were also used as bank engines on the steeply graded Midland Junction to Chidlow section of the Eastern Railway.[3][4]
The first entered service on 29 March 1945. The first was withdrawn in 1968, with the remainder in 1970/71 following the entry into service of the ADK/ADB class diesel multiple units.[4][5]
Class list
The numbers and periods in service of each member of the Dm class were as follows:[6]
Road number
Earlier number
In service
Withdrawn
Notes
581
314
29 March 1945
15 March 1968
Rebuilt from Es 314, renumbered 20 September 1945
582
309
17 May 1945
10 September 1970
Rebuilt from Es 309, renumbered 19 September 1945
583
307
14 July 1945
10 September 1970
Rebuilt from Es 307, renumbered 7 September 1945
584
24 August 1945
22 July 1969
Rebuilt from E 306, number plate preserved at Castledare Miniature Railway
Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp. 13–15, 47. OCLC219836193.
Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN0959969039.
