- New South Wales 79 class locomotive
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New South Wales 79 class Shunting locomotive 7923 stand in Platform 15 at Sydney's Central Station Power type Diesel-electric Builder General Electric Serial number 17938, 17934 Model GE 44-ton switcher UIC classification Bo′Bo′ Gauge 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) Wheel diameter 33 in (838 mm) Length Over headstocks: 29 ft 10 in (9.09 m),
Over buffers: 35 ft 2 in (10.72 m)Width 9 ft 6 in (2.90 m) Height 13 ft 2 1⁄8 in (4.02 m) Axle load 9 tons 16 cwt (22,000 lb or 10.0 t) Locomotive weight 39 tons 0 cwt (87,400 lb or 39.6 t) Fuel type Diesel fuel Fuel capacity 210 imp gal (950 l; 250 US gal) Lubricant capacity 32 imp gal (150 l; 38 US gal) per engine Coolant capacity 40 imp gal (180 l; 48 US gal) per engine Sandbox capacity 8 cu ft (0.23 m3) Prime mover Caterpillar Inc. D17000 (2 of) Engine RPM range 350–1000 Engine type Four-stroke diesel Aspiration Normally aspirated Generator GE GT 555A Traction motors GE 733 (4 of) Cylinders V8 (2 of) Cylinder size 5.75 × 8 in (146 × 203 mm) Top speed 35 mph (56 km/h) Power output Gross: 190 hp (142 kW) per engine,
For traction: 175 hp (130 kW) per engineTractive effort Continuous: 13,000 lbf (57.83 kN) at 7.5 mph (12.1 km/h) Career United States Army Transportation Corps, New South Wales Government Railways Number in class NSWGR: 2 First run NSWGR: 28 February 1944 Contents
Importation
In 1943, during World War II, four diesel-electric industrial shunting type locomotives were imported from the General Electric Company, Erie, U.S.A. by the Department of Supply under Lend-Lease conditions for use at the munitions factory, Dunheved. It seems that only one unit was used at this facility. Being of the hood type, with a central cab, they could work in either direction without turning. Two 190 h.p. V8 Caterpillar diesel engines provided power for four traction motors.[1]
Operations
In 1945, the Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited became interested in the possible dieselisation in the Australian Iron and Steel works at Port Kembla and one unit was loaned to the company in April. Whilst it proved too light for the tasks of hauling ingots and ladles, it did lead to the commencement of dieselisation five years later.[2]
At the end of that war, they were put into use by the New South Wales Government Railways as coaching shunters at Sydney’s Central station and the Eveleigh Carriage Workshops. They were given road numbers 7920 to 7923, these being the numbers allocated by U.S. authorities. . In April, 1948, the Commonwealth Government took 7921 and 7922 for use at Woomera Rocket Range and 7920 and 7923 were purchased by the N.S.W.G.R. in September that year.
In 1950, the two held by the Commonwealth Government were acquired by Commonwealth Railways and used as coaching shunters at Port Augusta and Port Pirie.
Disposal and preservation
Following the retirement of the Commonwealth Railways units, 7921 has found its way back to New South Wales rails and is now part of the collection at the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum. 7922 is with the National Railway Museum at Port Dock, Adelaide.
The two N.S.W.G.R. units were sold to the British Phosphate Commission on 31 October 1974 for use on Christmas Island. This railway closed in 1987. Both are now preserved.
References
- New South Wales Rail System Locomotives. Sydney: Archives Section, State Rail Authority of New South Wales. 1984.
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