| New South Wales 47 class | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | A. Goninan & Co., Broadmeadow, NSW |
| Serial number | 31–50 |
| Build date | 1972–1973 |
| Total produced | 20 |
| UIC classification | Co′Co′ |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Wheel diameter | 1,016 mm (40.0 in) |
| Length | Over headstocks: 14.000 m (45 ft 11.18 in), Over coupler pulling faces: 15.270 m (50 ft 1.18 in) |
| Width | 2.834 m (9 ft 3.57 in) |
| Height | 4.200 m (13 ft 9.35 in) |
| Axle load | 14.2 tonnes (31,300 lb) |
| Locomotive weight | 85.3 tonnes (188,100 lb) |
| Fuel type | Diesel fuel |
| Fuel capacity | 3,300 l (726 imp gal; 872 US gal) |
| Lubricant capacity | 416 l (92 imp gal; 110 US gal) |
| Coolant capacity | 600 l (132 imp gal; 159 US gal) |
| Sandbox capacity | 0.44 m3 (16 cu ft) |
| Prime mover | Caterpillar 16-D399TA |
| Engine RPM range | 650–1300 |
| Engine type | Four-stroke diesel |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Alternator | Hitachi HI508 AR |
| Traction motors | Hitachi HS366 AR (6 off) |
| Cylinders | V16 |
| Cylinder size | 158.75 × 203 mm (6.25 × 7.99 in) |
| Top speed | 113 km/h (70 mph) |
| Power output | Gross: 840 kW (1,126 hp), For traction: 746 kW (1,000 hp) |
| Tractive effort | Continuous: 171.07 kN (38,458 lbf) at 11.8 km/h (7.3 mph) |
| Career | New South Wales Government Railways |
| Number | 4701–4720 |
| First run | 22 September 1972 |
| Preserved | 4705 |
The 47 class is a class of diesel-electric locomotive that was operated by the New South Wales Government Railways in Australia. Twenty locomotives were built altogether, intended for use on branchline services. The 47 class have a Caterpillar 16-D399TA engine, generating 840 kW / 1125 hp of power. They run on standard gauge and have Co-Co axles, with a maximum speed of 113 km/h. The class have a length of 15.26 m and a mass of 82 t. These units were praised for their fine riding qualities, but were notorious for their frequent engine failures.
Starting off with a troublesome career, the class were built by A. Goninan and Company of Broadmeadow, New South Wales in 1972.
When new to the NSWGR, the class was stationed in the Central West at Bathurst Locomotive Depot. The locomotives were not a success in the Central West as mentioned above with engine failures and overheating problems in summer. Towards the end of their working days with the SRA, they were transferred to Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot and were seen on all workings in the Hunter Region. Train crews that got to drive the 47 class praised the ride qualities of the locos. They were seen mostly on the point of coal trains that ran down the Belmont branchline to Dudley, Lambton, Burwood and John Darling Collieries. The class were also see on the South Maitland Railways leading coal trains to and from Pelton Colliery. These working were usually worked with 48 class.
In the first four years of service, two units were soon scrapped, and the entire class were withdrawn in late 1990, after only 15 years of service. Lachlan Valley Railway were the only ones who bid for the locomotives at their disposal, purchasing 4701, 4702, 4703, 4707, 4708, 4716, 4717 and 4719 for preservation and freight purposes. They solved the problem which contributed to the engine failures and now the 47 class remain a frequent sight in New South Wales. 4705 is on static display at the Rail Monument at Werris Creek.
4719 was withdrawn from service during 1987 and stored at Bathurst Workshops and stripped of usable parts to keep sister units working. 4715 arrived at Bathurst on 1988-11-11, to be stored and stripped of usable parts. In 1989 both 4719 and 4715 were moved from Bathurst to Cardiff via Broadmeadow Yard to be built as HTV2000 Heavy Test Vehicle.
A picture can be found in the link below.
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