WAGR R class (diesel)

Western Australian Government Railways R class

R1905 at Manjimup in July 1986

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder English Electric, Rocklea Model M195CX1, M195CX2 Build date 1968-72 Total produced 18

Specifications AAR wheel arr C-C UIC class Co-Co, Co′Co′ Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in) standard gauge 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) RA class: 92.5 long tons (94.0 t; 103.6 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover English Electric 12CSVT Generator English Electric 822 Traction motors English Electric 548

Performance figures Power output 1,795 hp (1,340 kW)

Career Operators Western Australian Government Railways Number in class 18 Numbers R1901-R1905 RA1906-RA1918 First run 1968 Current owner Greentrains Disposition 1 in service, 1 preserved, 16 scrapped

The R class are a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Western Australian Government Railways between 1968 and 1972.

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 were 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. A further 11 were ordered, but without dynamic brakes. These were classified as the RA class. A further two RAs were financed by the Lefroy Salt Company for use over a 13-kilometre (8.1 mi) off the Esperance line.^[1][2][3][4]

In 1974 the RA1914, RA1917 and RA1918 were fitted with standard gauge bogies and renumbered KA211-KA213.^[1][5] Most have been scrapped with one owned by Greentrains remaining in service in Perth. Former RA1918 has been preserved by Rail Heritage WA.^[6]

References

1. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 260. ISBN 0 730100 05 7.
2. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 351–352. ISBN 9781921719011.
3. R Class (WA, diesel) Railpage
4. RA Class (WA, diesel) Railpage
5. KA Class (WA, diesel) Railpage
6. Diesel Locomotives Rail Heritage WA

• 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.

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