BHP Whyalla DE class

The BHP Whyalla DE class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville for BHP between 1956 and 1965.

BHP Whyalla DE class
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderClyde Engineering
Granville
ModelEMD G8
EMD G12
Build date1956–1965
Total produced9
RebuilderMorrison-Knudsen Australia
Rebuild date1993–1995
Number rebuilt6
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICBo-Bo
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Fuel typeDiesel
Prime moverEMD 567
Career
OperatorsBHP
Number in class9
NumbersDE01–DE09
Delivered1956
Current ownerGenesee & Wyoming Australia
SCT Logistics
Disposition6 in service, 3 scrapped

History

In 1956, BHP purchased two Electro-Motive Diesel G8 locomotives from Clyde Engineering for use at its narrow gauge Iron Knob iron-ore quarry.[1]

In 1956, the first of four larger Electro-Motive Diesel G12 locomotives was delivered from Clyde Engineering for use on the narrow gauge BHP Whyalla Tramway, a fifth was delivered in June 1961.[1]

Following the construction of the 39.5 kilometre Coffin Bay Tramway standard gauge line between Proper Bay and Coffin Bay on the Eyre Peninsula, two standard gauge G12s were purchased in 1965.[1][2] Following the quarry railway being closed in 1968, the G8s were both transferred to the standard gauge railway.[1]

Between 1993 and 1995, six were remanufactured by Morrison-Knudsen Australia, at its Whyalla factory, receiving new cabs.[3][4][5]

In 2003 the Whyalla Steelworks became part of OneSteel and the rail operations transferred to Australian Railroad Group. The DEs were renumbered as the 1250 and 1300 classes.[6] With the split up of Australian Railroad Group in 2006, the remaining five DE class transferred to Genesee & Wyoming Australia.

During the 1990s remanufacturing program, DE02 had been stripped as a source of parts. In 2005-2006 it was rebuilt at Islington Railway Workshops for SCT Logistics for use in Parkes. As it was very similar to the Victorian Railways T class it was renumbered T414.[7]

Status table
LocomotiveModelIn ServiceOwnerStatusNotes
DE01EMD G8Oct 1956Genesee & Wyoming AustraliaIn serviceRebuilt as DE1 Feb 1994, renumbered 1301
DE02EMD G8Nov 1956SCT LogisticsIn serviceRebuilt by Islington Railway Workshops as T414
DE03EMD G12Nov 1956Genesee & Wyoming AustraliaIn serviceRebuilt as DE3 Sep 1994, renumbered 1302
DE04EMD G12Dec 1956Genesee & Wyoming AustraliaIn serviceRebuilt as DE4 Mar 1995, renumbered 1303
DE05EMD G12May 1957Genesee & Wyoming AustraliaIn serviceRenumbered 1251
DE06EMD G12Aug 1957BHPScrapped Nov 1996
DE07EMD G12Jun 1961Genesee & Wyoming AustraliaIn serviceRebuilt as DE7 Mar 1994, renumbered 1304
DE08EMD G12Nov 1965Genesee & Wyoming AustraliaScrapped Oct 02Rebuilt as DE8 May 1994, destroyed in accident Apr 2002
DE09EMD G12Dec 1965Genesee & Wyoming AustraliaScrapped Oct 02Rebuilt as DE9 May 1993, destroyed in accident Apr 2002

References
  1. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. pp. 221, 222, 224. ISBN 0 730100 05 7.
  2. "Traffic" Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin issue 754 August 2000 page 318
  3. "Morrison Knudsen Australia and the CLPs" Railway Digest June 1994 page 18
  4. BHP / Onesteel / Arrium Whyalla Diesel Locomotives Minnipa Siding
  5. DE Class (BHP Whyalla) Railpage
  6. 1300 Class (ARG) Railpage
  7. T Class (T414) Railpage
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