BHP Newcastle 32 class

The BHP Newcastle 32 class were a class of diesel locomotives built by A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow for the BHP, Newcastle steelworks between 1954 and 1956.

BHP Newcastle 32 class
34 at Richmond Vale Railway Museum in September 2000
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow Model General Electric 70 Ton switcher Build date 1954-56 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo-Bo Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter 33 in (838 mm) Minimum curve 75 ft 0 in (22.86 m) Length 38 ft 10 in (11.84 m) Width 9 ft 9 in (2,972 mm) Height 13 ft 11 in (4,242 mm) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 400 imp gal (1,800 L; 480 US gal) Lubricant cap. 100 imp gal (450 L; 120 US gal) Coolant cap. 80 imp gal (360 L; 96 US gal) Sandbox cap. 12 cu ft (0.34 m^3) Prime mover Cooper Bessemer FWL-6-T RPM range 350-1010 Engine type 4 stroke, 6 in line, diesel Aspiration Turbocharged Generator General Electric GT-571 Traction motors 4 off General Electric GE-747 Cylinders 6 Cylinder size 9 in × 10.5 in (230 mm × 270 mm) bore x stroke Loco brake Westinghouse A7 Railway air brake Train brakes Westinghouse AH7
Performance figures Power output Gross: 627 hp (470 kW), For traction: 600 hp (450 kW)
Career Operators BHP Newcastle Steelworks Number in class 5 Numbers 32-36 Preserved 32, 34 Disposition 2 preserved, 3 scrapped

History

In 1954, BHP took delivery of three GE 70-ton switchers for use on its Newcastle steelworks network from A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow with a further two delivered in 1956.[1]

There were several modifications form the standard US design. One is the alteration to the bogie pivot pin from the usual centre position to a point 18 inches (457 mm) towards the buffer beam. The alteration enabled the locos to travel the tight curves found in the works, and also reduced excessive buffer and coupler misalignment. Deep buffer beams were fitted with a 3 ¹⁄₂-inch (89 mm) rail clearance, to minimise damage during derailments. To reduce excessive body roll due to poor track conditions, extra bearing pads were fitted to the outside of the bogie frame and the main frame. The fitting of large 64 cubic feet (1.8 m³) capacity air reservoirs on each side enabled the locos to be used with 6 of the pneumatic dump cars in use at the steelworks. Also as the standard US design did not have buffers fitted, the BHP locos were fitted with buffers with oversized buffer heads, necessary for the tight curves and BHP’s own internal rolling stock.

Class list

Locomotive	Builder's No	Entered service	Withdrawn	Notes
32	1/S0001	Jul 1954	Aug 1986	preserved on static display at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum
33	2/S0002	Aug 1954	Feb 1987	-
34	3/S0003	Dec 1954	Jan 1990	stored at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum
35	10/S3006	Dec 1956	Aug 1988	-
36	11/S3007	Dec 1956	Jun 1985	-

References

1. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s - 1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 218. ISBN 0 730100 05 7.

• Men, Steel and Rails by David Jehan 1999, Published by BHP ISBN 1-876634-09-X
• Australian Diesel Scene 5 2002, Published by Eveleigh Press ISBN 1-876568-23-2
• Specification sheet ex BHP Newcastle Steelworks diesel shop
• Steel and Rails in Newcastle, by Keith McDonald 1981, Published by Light Railway Research Society of Australia ISBN 0-909340-15-3