New South Wales 47 class locomotive
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| Power type | Diesel-electric |
|---|---|
| Builder | A. Goninan & Co., Broadmeadow, NSW |
| Serial number | 31–50 |
| Build date | 1972–1973 |
| Total production | 20 |
| UIC classification | Co'Co' |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
| Length | 15.26 m (50 ft 1 in) |
| Locomotive weight | 82 tonnes (180,000 lb) |
| Prime mover | Caterpillar 16-D399TA |
| Generator | Hitachi HI508 AR |
| Traction motors | Hitachi HS366 AR (6 off) |
| Top speed | 113 km/h (70 mph) |
| Power output | 840 kW (1,130 hp) |
| Number | 4701–4720 |
| Preserved | 4705 |
The 47 class is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was operated by the New South Wales Government Railways in Australia. Twenty locomotives were built altogether, intended for use on branchline services. The 47 class have a Caterpillar 16-D399TA engine, generating 840 kW / 1125 hp of power. They run on standard gauge and have Co-Co axles, with a maximum speed of 113 km/h. The class have a length of 15.26 m and a mass of 82 t. These units were praised for their fine riding qualities, but were notorious for their frequency in engine failures.
[edit] History
Starting off with a troublesome career, the class were built by A. Goninan and Company of Broadmeadow, New South Wales in 1972.
When new to the NSWGR, the class was stationed in the Central West at Bathurst Locomotive Depot. The locomotives were not a success in the Central West as mentioned above with engine failures and overheating problems in summer. Towards the end of their working days with the SRA, they were transferred to Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot and were seen on all workings in the Hunter Region. Train crews that got to drive the 47 class praised the ride qualities of the locos. They were seen mostly on the point of coal trains that ran down the Belmont branchline to Dudley, Lambton, Burwood and John Darling Collieries. The class were also see on the South Maitland Railways leading coal trains to and from Pelton Colliery. These working were usually worked with 48 class.
In the first four years of service, two units were soon scrapped, and the entire class were withdrawn in late 1990, after only 15 years of service. Lachlan Valley Railway were the only ones who bid for the locomotives at at their disposal, purchasing 4701, 4702, 4703, 4707, 4708, 4716, 4717 and 4719 for preservation and freight purposes. They solved the problem which contributed to the engine failures and now the 47 class remain a frequent sight in New South Wales. 4705 is on static display at the Rail Monument at Werris Creek.
The 4719 was withdrawn from service during 1987 and stored at Bathurst Workshops and stripped of usable parts to keep sister units working. The 4715 arrived at Bathurst on 1988-11-11, to be stored and stripped of usable parts. In 1989 both 4719 and 4715 were moved from Bathurst to Cardiff via Broadmeadow Yard to be built as HTV2000 Heavy Test Vehicle.
A picture can be found in the link below.
[edit] References
- Railway Digest Issues April 1988, January, April, May, June and December 1989 and February 1990.
- John Cleverdon. LocoPage: SRA 47 class. Retrieved on 2008-04-11.
[edit] See also
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