Tasmanian Government Railways Za class

The Za class are a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric Rocklea for the Tasmanian Government Railways in 1973.

Tasmanian Government Railways ZA class
ZA class locomotive at Bell Bay in February 1978
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric Rocklea
Serial numberA.259 to A.262, A.278 to A.279
Build date1973-1976
Total produced6
Specifications
Configuration:
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 • UICCo-Co
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter3 ft 1+1⁄2 in (0.953 m)
Wheelbase39 ft 11 in (12.167 m) total, 11 ft 3 in (3.429 m) bogie
Length52 ft 9 in (16.078 m) over headstocks
Height12 ft 7 in (3.835 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 capacity1,400 imp gal (6,400 L)
Prime moverEnglish Electric 12CSVT Mk III
Engine typefour stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspirationturbocharged, intercooled
AlternatorToyo WD10314A
Traction motorsEE558
Cylinders12 Vee
Cylinder size10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm)
MU working110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Loco brakeAir, proportional control, dynamic
Train brakesVacuum, converted to air 1984-1985)
Performance figures
Maximum speed60 miles per hour (97 km/h)
Power output2,550 hp (1,900 kW) gross, 2,350 hp (1,750 kW) net
Tractive effort54,000 lbf (240.2 kN) at 13.3 mph (20 km/h)
Career
OperatorsTasmanian Government Railways
Number in class6
NumbersZa1-Za6
First runJune 1973
Current ownerTasRail, Don River Railway & Tasmanian Transport Museum
Disposition1 stored, 2 preserved, 3 scrapped

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. A further two were delivered in 1976, ZA 6 being the final locomotive built by GEC Australia[1][2] and the last English Electric locomotive built anywhere. The 1976 locomotives differed from the earlier batch in having a rounded cab roof, similar to the Z class, instead of an angled roof like the 2350 class from which they were derived.

In March 1978 the Za class were included in the transfer of the Tasmanian Government Railways to Australian National. From 1982 all had their vacuum brakes replaced with air brakes.[3]

In June 1998 the five in service were renumbered as the 2114 class, ZA4 having been withdrawn.[4]

In May 2014, 2114 joined 2115 and 2118 in storage after the new TR class entered full service. 2118 (ZA6) was held for preservation with 2115 (ZA2) retained as a parts donor.

On 14 January 2021, the Tasmanian Transport Museum announced that they had managed to secure ZA6, launching a GoFundMe campaign for its restoration the following day.

ZA 1 (2114) was delivered to Don River Railway for preservation on 23 May 2022. Its preservation funded by a sole member.

Status table
Original no Last no Owners Status
Za1 2114 Don River Railway Preserved
Za2 2115 TasRail Stored
Za3 2116 TasRail Scrapped
Za4 Za4 AN Tasrail Scrapped
Za5 2117 TasRail Scrapped
Za6 2118 Tasmanian Transport Museum Preserved

See also

References
  1. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. pp. 285–286. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
  2. Za Class Railpage
  3. Za Class Rail Tasmania
  4. "Tasrail Loco Renumbering" Railway Digest October 1998 page 36
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