MRWA F class

The F class were a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Midland Railway of Western Australia in 1958. They were later sold to the Western Australian Government Railways.

Midland Railway of Western Australia F class
F45 at Picton Yard in March 1986
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric, Rocklea
Build date1958
Total produced7
Specifications
Configuration:
  AARA1A-A1A
  UIC(A1A)(A1A)
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter3 ft 1 12 in (0.953 m)
Minimum curve330 ft (100.584 m)
Wheelbase34 ft (10.363 m) total, 11 ft 6 in (3.505 m) bogie
Length42 ft (12.802 m) over headstocks
Width8 ft 10 12 in (2.705 m)
Height13 ft 7 in (4.140 m)
Axle load10.7 long tons (10.9 t; 12.0 short tons)
Loco weight63 long tons (64.0 t; 70.6 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity500 imp gal (2,300 L)
Lubricant cap.90 imp gal (410 L)
Coolant cap.88 imp gal (400 L)
Prime moverEnglish Electric 6SRKT Mk II
RPM range450 - 850rpm
Engine typeFour-stroke diesel, four valves per cylinder
AspirationTurbocharged
GeneratorEnglish Electric 827/4C
Traction motorsEnglish Electric 525/9A
Cylinders6 Inline
Cylinder size10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm)
MU working110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesVacuum
Performance figures
Maximum speed50 miles per hour (80 km/h)
Power output750 hp (560 kW) gross, 685 hp (510 kW) net
Tractive effort22,400 lbf (99.6 kN) at 9.6 mph (20 km/h)
Career
OperatorsMidland Railway of Western Australia
Number in class7
NumbersF40-F46
DeliveredMay 1958
PreservedF40, F41, F43, F44
Disposition4 preserved, 3 scrapped

History

The F class was based upon the South Australian Railways 800 class. The seven members of the class entered service with the Midland Railway of Western Australia in 1958, and, together with the rest of the company's assets and operations, were taken over by the Western Australian Government Railways in 1964.[1][2][3][4]

The first (F42) was withdrawn in November 1984.[5]

Hotham Valley Railway have preserved F40 and F44[6][7] while Rail Heritage WA have F43. F41 is also on display at Moora.

References

  1. Diesels replace steam power on Midland Railway, reproduced from Railway Transportation August 1959 Commissioners Notebook, volume 3 no 2, 8 January 2006)
  2. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 306. ISBN 9781921719011.
  3. F (MRWA diesel) Railpage
  4. Part 3 - Dieselization Perth Republika
  5. "Western Australia" Railway Digest March 1985 page 97
  6. F40 West Australian Railscene e-Mag issue 103 4 October 2010 pages 4-5
  7. F44 West Australian Railscene e-Mag issue 129 28 March 2011 page 8
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp. 33, 48. OCLC 219836193.
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1989). The Midland Railway Company Locomotives of Western Australia. Melbourne: Light Railway Research Society of Australia. pp. 40–44, 49. ISBN 0909340277.
  • Milne, Rod (1998). Westrail's English Electric Experience (The English Electric locomotives of the WAGR). Elizabeth, SA: Railmac Publications. ISBN 0958650098.


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