WAGR RA class (diesel)

The RA Class are diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Western Australian Government Railways between 1969 and 1972. They were a revised version of the R class.

Western Australian Government Railways RA class
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric, Rocklea
Serial numberA.202-A.207, A.218-A.222, A.244, A.248
Build date1968-72
Total produced13
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo-Co, Co′Co′
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
BogiesEnglish Electric low weight transfer
Wheel diameter3 ft 1+1⁄2 in (0.953 m)
Minimum curve264 ft (80.467 m)
Wheelbase44 ft 2 in (13.462 m) total, 11 ft 3 in (3.429 m) bogie
Length53 ft 6 in (16.307 m) over headstocks
Width9 ft 4 in (2.845 m)
Height13 ft (3.962 m)
Axle load15.5 long tons (15.7 t; 17.4 short tons)
Loco weight93 long tons (94 t; 104 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity1,200 imp gal (5,500 L)
Coolant cap.200 imp gal (910 L)
Prime moverEE 12CSVT Mk II
RPM range850rpm
Engine typefour stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspirationturbo, intercooled
GeneratorEE822/16J
Traction motorsEE548
Cylinders12 Vee
Cylinder size10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm)
MU working110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Loco brakeAir, proportional control
Train brakesDual air and vacuum
Performance figures
Maximum speed60 miles per hour (97 km/h)
Power output1,950 hp (1,450 kW), gross, 1,795 hp (1,340 kW) net
Tractive effort:
​
 • Starting67,000 lbf (298.0 kN)
 • Continuous50,500 lbf (224.6 kN) at 10.8 mph (20 km/h)
Career
OperatorsWestern Australian Government Railways
Disposition12 scrapped, 1 preserved

Description

The RA class were a hood type general purpose diesel-electric locomotive. They were similar to the Queensland Railways 1300 class. All equipment, except traction motors, were interchangeable with the standard gauge K class. The main differences with the R class were a slight increase in length and wheelbase and deletion of the dynamic brake. They were otherwise identical mechanically and electrically.

The bogies were identical to those fitted to the R class and were an English Electric design with low weight transfer characteristics. They feature fully equalised primary spring gear, all traction motors in each bogie mounted with the nose-suspension facing inwards, traction thrust at near axle level and long pivot centres to reduce inter-bogie transfer. Adhesion loss at maximum tractive effort is limited to 4.5 per cent allowing 1,830 long tons (1,860 t; 2,050 short tons) trailing load to be hauled up a 1 in 100 grade.

History

Following on from the R class, a further 11 were ordered, but without dynamic brakes. A further two were financed by the Lefroy Salt Company for use over a 13-kilometre (8.1 mi) spur off the Esperance line.[1][2][3][4]

In 1973, a version of the RA class with a low nose was ordered for Tasmanian Government Railways, which classed them Z.

In 1974 the RA1914, RA1917 and RA1918 were fitted with standard gauge bogies and renumbered KA211-KA213.[1][5] RA1918 has been preserved by Rail Heritage WA.[6]

Class list
Key: In Service Withdrawn Preserved Converted Scrapped
Serial NumberEntered ServiceRoad NumberCurrent/Last OwnerStatus
A.203 November 8, 1969 RA1906 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.204 November 21, 1969 RA1907 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.205 December 3, 1969 RA1908 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.206 December 23, 1969 RA1909 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.202 February 6, 1970 RA1910 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.207 February 5, 1970 RA1911 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.218 April 8, 1971 RA1912 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.219 March 4, 1971 RA1913 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.220 May 6, 1971 RA1914, KA211 UGL Rail Used as an engine test bed at UGL Bassendean
A.221 May 6, 1971 RA1915 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.222 March 17, 1971 RA1916 Westrail Scrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.244 July 11, 1972 RA1917, KA212 Qube Scrapped, Bellevue (May 29, 2016)
A.248 July 19, 1972 RA1918, KA213 Rail Heritage WA Preserved by Rail Heritage WA, Bassendean

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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