Victorian Railways rail tractor

Victorian Railway rail tractor

RT 20 in Swan Hill, featuring Freight Australia livery
Type and origin
Power type Diesel Mechanical
Builder Victorian Railways,
Newport Railway Workshops
Specifications
Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Length 6.33 to 6.52 m (20 ft 9 in to 21 ft 5 in)
Locomotive weight 10.4 t (10.2 long tons; 11.5 short tons)
Prime mover Fordson
Engine type diesel
Performance figures
Maximum speed 15 km/h (9.3 mph)
Power output 40.3 to 51.8 hp (30.1 to 38.6 kW)
Career
Number in class 11
Number(s) RT 1 - 54
First run 1952

The Victorian Railways rail tractors are a small shunting unit used by the Victorian Railways of Australia for moving railway wagons in at country stations and private sidings. Varying in power output and size, they are agricultural tractors on top of a four wheeled steel rail wagon frame.[1] Unit 54 is a one off unit acquired from the Portland Harbour Trust who used it on their private siding.

These shunters (except RT 54) are not fitted with air brakes but are through piped to enable them to be worked dead as part of a normal train.[2] Units currently authorised to operate on Victorian tracks are RT 3-39, and RT 40,42,43, 45-53; the second group being more powerful, and all being permitted to travel at 15 km/h maximum.[2] Units RT 18, 28 and 43 have been gauge converted and transferred to Sydney for use on the construction of the Epping to Chatswood railway.[3]

See also

References

  1. Railmac Publications (1992). Australian Fleetbooks: V/Line locomotives. Kitchner Press. ISBN 0-949817-76-7.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Network Operating Requirements". V/Line ~ Network Access ~ Information Pack. www.vline.com.au. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  3. "VICSIG - Locomotives - RT Class Rail Tractor". www.vicsig.net. Retrieved 2008-03-13.