WAGR R class (diesel)

The R Class are diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Western Australian Government Railways in 1968. They were followed by the revised RA class.

Western Australian Government Railways R class
R1905 at Manjimup in July 1986
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder English Electric, Rocklea Serial number A.166-A.167, A.171, A.173-A.174 Build date 1968 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co-Co, Co′Co′ Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Bogies English Electric low weight transfer Wheel diameter 3 ft 1 ^1⁄2 in (0.953 m) Minimum curve 264 ft (80.467 m) Wheelbase 40 ft 8 in (12.395 m) total, 11 ft 3 in (3.429 m) bogie Length 50 ft (15.240 m) over headstocks Width 9 ft 4 in (2.845 m) Height 13 ft (3.962 m) Axle load R1901-R1902: 15 long tons (15 t; 17 short tons), R1903-R1905: 16 long tons (16 t; 18 short tons) Loco weight R1901-R1902: 88 long tons (89 t; 99 short tons) R1903-R1905: 95.5 long tons (97.0 t; 107.0 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 1,200 imp gal (5,500 L) Coolant cap. 200 imp gal (910 L) Prime mover EE 12CSVT Mk II RPM range 850rpm Engine type four stroke, four valves per cylinder Aspiration turbo, intercooled Generator EE822/16J Traction motors EE548 Cylinders 12 Vee Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm) MU working 110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle Loco brake Air, proportional control, dynamic Train brakes Dual air and vacuum
Performance figures Maximum speed 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) Power output 1,950 hp (1,450 kW), gross, 1,795 hp (1,340 kW) net Tractive effort 50,500 lbf (224.6 kN) at 10.8 mph (20 km/h)
Career Operators Western Australian Government Railways Number in class 5 Numbers R1901-R1905 First run February 12th, 1968 Disposition 5 scrapped

Description

The R class were a hood type general purpose diesel-electric locomotive. They were similar to the Queensland Railways 1300 class. All equipment, except traction motors, were interchangeable with the standard gauge K class. The bogies are an English Electric design with low weight transfer characteristics. They feature fully equalised primary spring gear, all traction motors in each bogie mounted with the nose-suspension facing inwards, traction thrust at near axle level and long pivot centres to reduce inter-bogie transfer. Adhesion loss at maximum tractive effort is limited to 4.5 per cent allowing 1,830 long tons (1,860 t; 2,050 short tons) trailing load to be hauled up a 1 in 100 grade.[1]

History

In 1968 the Western Australian Government Railways took delivery of five narrow gauge versions of the K class for use on bauxite traffic, the last three being fitted with 6 tonnes (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons) of ballast to improve their tractive effort. All were fitted with dynamic brakes.[2][3][4]

R1902 was donated to Rail Heritage WA for preservation. However, due to its poor condition after suffering from prolonged vandalism, it was cut up.

Class list

Serial number	Entered service	Road number	Current/last owner	Status
A.166	12 February 1968	R1901	Westrail	Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.167	15 March 1968	R1902	Greentrains	Scrapped, Bellevue (28 May 2016)
A.171	2 May 1968	R1903	Westrail	Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.173	14 June 1968	R1904	Westrail	Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.174	26 June 1968	R1905	Westrail	Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)

References

1. Railway Transportation, April 1968, 'Low weight transfer bogie is feature of new WAGR diesels'
2. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 260. ISBN 0 730100 05 7.
3. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 351–352. ISBN 9781921719011.
4. R Class (WA, diesel) Railpage

• Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp. 35, 48. OCLC 219836193.
• Milne, Rod (1998). Westrail's English Electric Experience (The English Electric locomotives of the WAGR). Elizabeth, SA: Railmac Publications. ISBN 0958650098.
• Railway Transportation, April 1968

Media related to WAGR R class (diesel) at Wikimedia Commons