BHP Newcastle 32 class

The BHP Newcastle 32 class were a class of diesel locomotives built by A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow for the BHP, Newcastle Steelworks between 1954 and 1956.

BHP Newcastle 32 class
34 at Richmond Vale Railway Museum
in September 2000
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderA Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow
ModelGeneral Electric 70 Ton switcher
Build date1954-56
Total produced5
Specifications
Configuration:
  UICBo-Bo
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Wheel diameter33 in (838 mm)
Minimum curve75 ft 0 in (22.86 m)
Length38 ft 10 in (11.84 m)
Width9 ft 9 in (2,972 mm)
Height13 ft 11 in (4,242 mm)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity400 imp gal
(1,800 L; 480 US gal)
Lubricant cap.100 imp gal
(450 L; 120 US gal)
Coolant cap.80 imp gal
(360 L; 96 US gal)
Sandbox cap.12 cu ft (0.34 m3)
Prime moverCooper Bessemer FWL-6-T
RPM range350-1010
Engine type4 stroke, 6 in line, diesel
AspirationTurbocharged
GeneratorGeneral Electric GT-571
Traction motors4 off General Electric GE-747
Cylinders6
Cylinder size9 in × 10.5 in
(230 mm × 270 mm)
bore x stroke
Loco brakeWestinghouse A7
Railway air brake
Train brakesWestinghouse AH7
Performance figures
Power outputGross:
627 hp (470 kW),
For traction:
600 hp (450 kW)
Career
OperatorsBHP Newcastle Steelworks
Number in class5
Numbers32-36
Preserved32, 34
Disposition2 preserved, 3 scrapped

History

In 1954 BHP took delivery of three GE 70-ton switchers for use on its Newcastle Steelworks network from A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow with a further two delivered in 1956.[1][2]

Class list

LocomotiveBuilder's NoEntered serviceWithdrawnNotes
321/S0001Jul 1954Aug 1986preserved on static display at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum
332/S0002Aug 1954Feb 1987-
343/S0003Dec 1954Jan 1990stored at the Richmond Vale Railway Museum
3510/S3006Dec 1956Aug 1988-
3611/S3007Dec 1956Jun 1985-

References

  1. Australian-Built Shunting Locomotive Diesel Railway Traction January 1955 page 10
  2. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s – 1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 218. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
  • Men, Steel and Rails by David Jehan 1999, Published by BHP ISBN 1-876634-09-X
  • Australian Diesel Scene 5 2002, Published by Eveleigh Press ISBN 1-876568-23-2
  • Specification sheet ex BHP Newcastle Steelworks diesel shop
  • Steel and Rails in Newcastle, by Keith McDonald 1981, Published by Light Railway Research Society of Australia ISBN 0-909340-15-3
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