Ghana Railways 1851 class

The Ghana Railways 1851 class were a class of diesel-electric locomotives built by English Electric-AEI Traction for the Ghana Railways in 1969/70.

Ghana Railways 1851 class
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder English Electric-AEI Traction Serial number 3850-3859, 3864-3869 Build date 1969/70 Total produced 16
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co+Co Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Bogies English Electric bolsterless low weight transfer, interlinked Wheel diameter 3 ft 1+1⁄2 in (0.953 m) Length 48 ft 6 in (14.783 m) over headstocks Width 9 ft (2.743 m) Height 12 ft 1+1⁄2 in (3.696 m) Axle load 13.6 long tons (13.8 t; 15.2 short tons) Loco weight 81.5 long tons (82.8 t; 91.3 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 770 imp gal (3,500 L) Prime mover English Electric 12CSVT Mk II RPM: ​  • RPM idle 450rpm  • Maximum RPM 850rpm Engine type Four stroke, four valves per cylinder Aspiration Turbocharged, intercooled Generator EE822/16J Traction motors Six EE537 Cylinders V12 Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm) MU working 110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle Loco brake Air - straight and proportional control Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Maximum speed 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) Power output 2,025 hp (1,510 kW) gross, 1,850 hp (1,380 kW) net Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 65,000 lbf (289.1 kN)  • Continuous 50,000 lbf (222.4 kN) at 11.5 mph (20 km/h)
Career Operators Ghana Railway Corporation Number in class 16 Numbers 1851 - 1866 First run 1969 Disposition 16 scrapped

Description

The 1851 class were a dual cab hood type general purpose locomotive. Engine, electrical and control equipment was essentially as fitted to the British Rail Class 37 as well as a number of other export locomotives.

The main frame consisted of two fabricated box section longitudinal members with fabricated box section cross members. These box sections were sealed to form the fuel tank in the centre of the locomotive.

The bogies, designed by English Electric, were cast steel with axles fully compensated with underslung beams acting on long travel coil springs. Side bearers are totally enclosed with oil lubrication. Lateral spring controlled intercouplers link the bogies, reducing track stresses and flange wear in curves. Traction motors are mounted on the axle towards the inner end of the bogies to reduce weight transfer under load.

History

By 1999 only two remained in service. In 2003 just one, 1864, remained in storage at New Takoradi, but had been scrapped by 2007.