Victorian Railways X class (diesel)
Victorian Railways X class | |
---|---|
X43 in V/Line Freight livery in Mildura in 1996 | |
Type and origin | |
Power type | Diesel-electric |
Builder |
Clyde Engineering Granville (1&2) Rosewater (3) |
Serial number |
66-484 to 66-489 70-700 to 70-707 75-792 to 75-801 |
Build date | 1966-76 |
Total produced | 24 |
Rebuilder | South Dynon Locomotive Depot |
Rebuild date | 2002-04 |
Number rebuilt | 6 |
Specifications | |
UIC classification | Co-Co |
Gauge |
1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in), 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) |
Length | 18.53 metres (60 ft 10 in) |
Locomotive weight |
114 t (112 long tons; 126 short tons) (1) 116 t (114 long tons; 128 short tons) (2&3) |
Fuel type | Diesel |
Prime mover |
Electro-Motive Diesel 16-567E (1) Electro-Motive Diesel 16-645E (2 & 3) |
Engine type | V16 |
Aspiration | Roots Blower |
Generator |
Electro-Motive Diesel D 32B-D 14 (1&2) Electro-Motive Diesel AR10-E1-D14 (3) |
Traction motors | Electro-Motive Diesel D77 |
Cylinders | 16 |
Cylinder size | (?) |
Performance figures | |
Maximum speed | 133 km/h (83 mph) |
Career | |
Operator(s) | Victorian Railways |
Number in class | 24 |
Number(s) | X31-X54 |
Preserved | X31 |
Current owner |
Aurizon Pacific National |
Disposition | 19 in service, 1 preserved, 4 stored |
The X class are a class of mainline diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville and Rosewater for the Victorian Railways between 1966 and 1976.
History
The first batch of six were built by Clyde Engineering, Granville in 1966 with the same mechanicals as the S class but with a hood type of body. A second order of eight locomotives was built in 1970 fitted with a more powerful engine. A third batch was built in 1975/76 and differed by having an angled no.1 end and different cab and were the first locomotives built at Rosewater.[1][2] Although mainly used on the broad gauge most at some stage operated on the North East standard gauge line to Albury. They hauled passenger and freight services throughout Victoria.[3]
In the early 1980s they began working interstate to Adelaide and Sydney.[4] All were included in the sale of V/Line Freight to Freight Australia in May 1999.
Between 2001 and 2005 Freight Australia rebuilt six locomotives, fitting them with refurbished engines from G class locomotives, enlarged radiators, and modified cabs. These locomotives have subsequently been renumbered as the XR class. All but two passed to Pacific National with the business in August 2004, these going to CRT Group and in June 2005 to QR National.[5][6]
In January 2010 X31 was transferred to the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre. It has been returned to service and been hired to El Zorro. The class are now employed hauling freight services in New South Wales and Victoria.[7][8][9][10]
Status table
Locomotive | Entered service | Current status | Name | Current owner |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Order | ||||
X31 | 15 Aug 1966 | In Service | Seymour Railway Heritage Centre | |
X32 | 8 Sep 1966 | Rebuilt as XR555 | Pacific National | |
X33 | 24 Sep 1966 | Rebuilt as XR553 | Pacific National | |
X34 | 5 Oct 1966 | Rebuilt as XR554 | Pacific National | |
X35 | 4 Nov 1966 | Rebuilt as XR551 | Pacific National | |
X36 | 15 Nov 1966 | Stored | Pacific National | |
Second Order | ||||
X37 | 9 Apr 1970 | Stored | Pacific National | |
X38 | 8 May 1970 | Rebuilt as XR550 | Pacific National | |
X39 | 28 May 1970 | In Service | Pacific National | |
X40 | 26 Jun 1970 | Rebuilt as XR552 | Pacific National | |
X41 | 9 Jul 1970 | In Service | Pacific National | |
X42 | 7 Aug 1970 | In Service | Pacific National | |
X43 | 20 August 1970 | In Service | Sir Noel Bamford | Pacific National |
X44 | 11 Sep 1970 | In Service | Pacific National | |
Third Order | ||||
X45 | 11 Nov 1975 | In Service | Pacific National | |
X46 | 4 Dec 1975 | In Service | Pacific National | |
X47 | 24 Dec 1975 | In Service | Pacific National | |
X48 | 24 Jan 1976 | In Service | Pacific National | |
X49 | 18 Feb 1976 | Stored | Pacific National | |
X50 | 12 Mar 1976 | Stored | Pacific National | |
X51 | 1 Apr 1976 | In Service | Pacific National | |
X52 | 22 Apr 1976 | In Service | Pacific National | |
X53 | 19 May 1976 | In Service | Aurizon | |
X54 | 10 Jun 1976 | In Service | Aurizon |
See also
- Victorian XR class (diesel)
- Victorian XRB class (diesel)
References
- ↑ Railmac Publications (1992). Australian Fleetbooks: V/Line locomotives. Kitchner Press. ISBN 0-949817-76-7.
- ↑ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850's - 1980's. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 257. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
- ↑ X class diesel electric locomotives Mark Bau's VR website
- ↑ Railway Digest December 1984 page 422
- ↑ Peter Attenborough (February 2006). "Colin Rees Transport (CRT)". Australian Model Railway Magazine 22 (256): 37.
- ↑ QR National/Interail Trackside
- ↑ X Class (X31 - X36) Railpage
- ↑ X Class (X37 - X44) Railpage
- ↑ X Class (X45 - X54) Railpage
- ↑ X Class Vicsig
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