Tasmanian Government Railways Z class

The Z class are a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric Rocklea for the Tasmanian Government Railways in 1973. They were a development of the WAGR RA class and were the last of a line of very successful locomotives fitted with the English Electric 12CSVT Mk II engine.

Tasmanian Government Railways Z class
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric Rocklea
Serial numberA.249 to A.252
Build date1973
Total produced4
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo-Co
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter3 ft 1+1⁄2 in (0.953 m)
Wheelbase42 ft 5 in (12.929 m) total, 11 ft 3 in (3.429 m) bogie
Length55 ft (16.764 m) over headstocks
Width9 ft 4 in (2.845 m)
Height12 ft 4+1⁄2 in (3.772 m)
Axle load16 long tons (16.3 t; 17.9 short tons)
Loco weight96 long tons (97.5 t; 107.5 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity1,200 imp gal (5,500 L)
Prime moverEnglish Electric 12CSVT Mk II
RPM range450–850 rpm
Engine typefour stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspirationturbocharged, intercooled
GeneratorEE822/16J
Traction motorsSix EE558
Cylinders12 Vee
Cylinder size10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm)
MU working110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Loco brakeAir – straight and proportional control, dynamic
Train brakesVacuum, converted to air (1984–1985)
Performance figures
Maximum speed60 miles per hour (97 km/h)
Power output2,025 hp (1,510 kW) gross, 1,850 hp (1,380 kW) net
Tractive effort:
​
 • Continuous54,000 lbf (240.2 kN) at 10.5 mph (20 km/h)
Career
OperatorsTasmanian Government Railways
Number in class4
NumbersZ1-Z4
First runJune 1973
Current ownerDon River Railway & Bellarine Railway
Disposition4 preserved

History

With the construction of a new line from Launceston to Bell Bay, Tasmanian Government Railways placed an order for four 1752 kW locomotives with English Electric. However, with the locomotive still under development, it was decided to purchase four 1380 kW locomotives that were an evolution of the Western Australian RA class locomotives with a low nose profile and vacuum brakes. At 96 tons, they were considerably heavier than the previous heaviest locomotives on the network, the Y class at 58 tons, requiring significant upgrades to infrastructure.[1][2]

In March 1978 the Z class were included in the transfer of the Tasmanian Government Railways to Australian National. In 1984-1985 all had their vacuum brakes replaced with air brakes.[3]

In June 1998 all were renumbered as the 2110 class.[4] All four locomotives were modified for driver-only operation between 1998 and 2001, by having their noses lowered further and the size of the front cab windows increased.

All remained in service with TasRail until stored in May 2014 with the entry into service of the new TR class, new drivers having ceased training on these locos 8 months prior.

In 2022, after being awarded a grant, Bellarine Railway was able to purchase two of the class, this being Z1&4. Z1 was delivered in March and Z4 in May. Z3 was also donated and delivered in May to Don River Railway. Z2 would be delivered to the Don River Railway the following year.

Status table
Name Original no Current no Owner Status
Northern Progress Z1 2110 Bellarine Railway Preserved
Bell Bay Pioneer Z2 2111 Don River Railway Preserved
Z3 2112 Don River Railway Preserved
Z4 2113 Bellarine Railway Preserved

See also

References
  1. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. pp. 284–285. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
  2. Z Class Railpage
  3. Z Class Rail Tasmania
  4. "Tasrail Loco Renumbering" Railway Digest October 1998 page 36
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