MRWA G class

The G class were a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Midland Railway of Western Australia in 1963. They were later sold to the Western Australian Government Railways.

Midland Railway of Western Australia G class
G51 at Northcliffe in July 1986
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric, Rocklea
Build date1963
Total produced2
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo-Co, Co′Co'
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter3 ft 1+1⁄2 in (0.953 m)
Minimum curve250 ft (76.200 m)
Wheelbase32 ft (9.754 m) total, 11 ft 6 in (3.505 m) bogie
Length41 ft (12.497 m) over headstocks
Width8 ft 11 in (2.718 m)
Height12 ft 7 in (3.835 m)
Axle load12+1⁄2 long tons (12.7 t; 14.0 short tons)
Loco weight75 long tons (76.2 t; 84.0 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity700 imp gal (840 US gal; 3,200 L)
Prime moverEnglish Electric 8SVT Mk II
RPM range450–850 rpm
Engine typeFour-stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspirationturbocharged
GeneratorEE819/7E
Traction motorsSix EE548A
Cylinders8 Vee
Cylinder size10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm)
MU working110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Loco brakestraight air
Train brakesvacuum
Performance figures
Maximum speed55 miles per hour (89 km/h)
Power output1,030 hp (770 kW) gross, 950 hp (710 kW) net
Tractive effort43,000 lbf (191.3 kN) at 5.9 mph (10 km/h)
Career
OperatorsMidland Railway of Western Australia
Number in class2
NumbersG50-G51
First run7 May 1963
PreservedG50
Disposition1 preserved, 1 scrapped

History

The G class was a class of diesel-electric locomotives based upon the British Rail Class 20, with a cab similar to the Jamaican Railways Class 81 and its Australian derivatives. The two members of the class entered service with the Midland Railway of Western Australia in May 1963 after being shipped from Rocklea. They entered service on the Midland to Watheroo line.[1][2]

Together with the rest of the company's assets and operations, they were taken over by the Western Australian Government Railways in 1964. In their later years they operated out of Bunbury and Perth.[2]

Disposal

G51 was withdrawn from service in May 1990, and scrapped in January 1991.[2]

G50 was withdrawn in March 1991 and preserved by the Australian Railway Historical Society. As of 2014, it is on loan to the Hotham Valley Railway.[2]

References
  1. Part 3 – Dieselization Perth Republika
  2. G Class Hotham Valley Railway

Further reading
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp. 34, 48. OCLC 219836193.
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1989). The Midland Railway Company Locomotives of Western Australia. Melbourne: Light Railway Research Society of Australia. ISBN 0909340277.
  • Milne, Rod (1998). Westrail's English Electric Experience (The English Electric locomotives of the WAGR). Elizabeth, SA: Railmac Publications. ISBN 0958650098.
  • "Midland's New Medium Powered Diesels (G-Class)". Railway Transportation. Surry Hills, NSW: Shennen Publishing & Publicity Co. October 1963. ISSN 0033-9024. OCLC 220305870.

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