WAGR Dm class

WAGR Dm class

Portrait of Dm314 in as new condition, 1945.

Portrait of Dm314 in as new condition, 1945.
Type and origin
Power type Steam
Specifications
Configuration 4-6-4T
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Career
Operator(s) Western Australian Government Railways
Number in class 8

The WAGR Dm class was a type of 4-6-4T tank engine used by the Western Australian Government Railways from 1945. It was based on the earlier D class but differed significantly in the addition of large boiler-length side tanks, and was built by converting older E Class tender locomotives.[1] The Dm Class served on suburban workings around Perth until the end of steam of Western Australia's railways.[2]

Background

The Second World War was a major setback for Western Australia's railway system. The need to move large numbers of troops and material had taken its toll on the ability of the railways to continue the construction of much needed motive power. During the war years only 13 new locomotives were built, three to the S class design and 10 Australian Standard Garratts. By 1944, approximately a quarter of the WAGR's locomotive fleet was out of action pending maintenance. Much of it was over forty years old.[3]

Class list

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the Dm class were as follows:[4]

Road
number		 Earlier
number		 In service Withdrawn Notes
581 314 29 March 1945 15 March 1968 Rebuilt from Es 314. Renumbered 20 September 1945.
582 309 17 May 1945 10 September 1970 Rebuilt from Es 309. Renumbered 19 September 1945.
583 307 14 July 1945 10 September 1970 Rebuilt from Es 307. Renumbered 7 September 1945.
584 24 August 1945 22 July 1969 Rebuilt from E 306.
585 14 September 1945 10 September 1970 Rebuilt from Es 296.
586 10 October 1945 17 June 1971 Rebuilt from Es 318.
587 3 November 1945 17 June 1971 Rebuilt from Es 310.
588 23 November 1945 17 June 1971 Rebuilt from Es 305.

See also

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Gunzburg 1984, p. 125.
  2. ↑ Gunzburg 1984, p. 127.
  3. ↑ Gunzburg 1984, p. 113.
  4. ↑ Gunzburg 1984, p. 126.

Cited works

  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp. 13–15, 47. OCLC 219836193.
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN 0959969039.

External links

Media related to WAGR Dm class at Wikimedia Commons