New South Wales 44 class locomotive

The 44 class are a class of diesel-electric locomotives built by AE Goodwin, Auburn for the New South Wales Department of Railways between 1957 and 1967.

New South Wales 44 class
Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia liveried 4471 in Melbourne in November 2005
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderAE Goodwin, Auburn
Serial numberAlco 82807 to 82912
Alco 83731 to 83750
Alco G-3421-01 to G-3421-40
ModelAlco DL-500B
Build date1957–1967
Total produced100
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICCo-Co
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter40 in (1,016 mm)
LengthOver headstocks:
55 ft 5 in (16.89 m),
Over coupler pulling faces:
58 ft 5 in (17.81 m)
Width9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
HeightMax: 13 ft 10 in (4.22 m)
Axle loadFirst 60, GE t/m:
18 long tons 14 cwt (41,900 lb or 19 t),
First 60, AEI t/m:
17 long tons 14 cwt (39,600 lb or 18 t),
Last 40:
18 long tons 8 cwt (41,200 lb or 18.7 t)
Loco weightFirst 60, GE t/m: 112 long tons 1 cwt (251,000 lb or 113.8 t),
First 60, AEI t/m: 106 long tons 3 cwt (237,800 lb or 107.9 t),
Last 40: 110 long tons 3 cwt (246,700 lb or 111.9 t)
Fuel typeDiesel fuel
Fuel capacity1,200 imp gal (5,500 L; 1,400 US gal)
Lubricant cap.170 imp gal (770 L; 200 US gal)
Coolant cap.220 imp gal (1,000 L; 260 US gal)
Sandbox cap.16 cu ft (0.45 m3)
Prime moverAlco 251B
RPM range400–1000
Engine typeFour-stroke V12 diesel
AspirationTurbocharged
GeneratorFirst 60:General Electric 5GT581
Last 40 Associated Electrical Industries 5302
Traction motorsFirst 60: GE 731 or AEI 253 AZ or AEI 254 AZ,
Last 40: AEI 254 BY
Cylinders12
Cylinder size9 in × 10.5 in (229 mm × 267 mm)
Performance figures
Maximum speedFirst 60, GE t/m:
80 mph (129 km/h),
First 60, AEI t/m:
75 mph (121 km/h),
Last 40:
80 mph (129 km/h)
Power outputGross: 1,950 hp (1,450 kW),
For traction:
1,800 hp (1,340 kW)
Tractive effortContinuous: First 60, GE t/m: 47,100 lbf (209.51 kN)
at 11.5 mph (18.5 km/h),
First 60, AEI t/m:
40,500 lbf (180.15 kN)
at 13.7 mph (22.0 km/h),
Last 40: 44,000 lbf (195.72 kN)
at 12.9 mph (20.8 km/h)
Career
OperatorsNSW Department of Railways
Number in class100
Numbers4401–44100
First run8 July 1957
Preserved4401, 4403, 4420, 4464, 4465, 4472, 4473, 4486, 4490
Disposition9 preserved, 2 stored, 2 operational, 87 scrapped

History

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Preserved 4403 at Goulburn in March 2012
 
4465 and 4472 at Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot in 1990
 
4479 and a 45 class haul a freight train at Fairy Hill, north of Casino in 1987

The 44 class were built by AE Goodwin, the Australian licensee of US company Alco, and were based on the Alco DL500B model. The locomotives were fitted with Alco 12-251B engines, developing 1343 kW. They were built in two batches, the first 60 between July 1957 and April 1961 and the second 40 between October 1965 and December 1967. The last 40 had Associated Electrical Industries as opposed to General Electric generators and traction motors, as well as illuminated segregated number boxes at the No.2 end. The model was very similar to dual cab South Australian Railways 930 class.

With driving cabs within both ends, the front (No.1 end) of the locomotive had a rounded nose (although not as round as the Clyde/GM "Bulldog nose" type) and a flat nose at the No.2 end. During their career, the locomotives served every part of New South Wales and operated every type of train.

In the late 1980s, some earlier examples in need of rewiring began to be withdrawn, but many survived into the 1990s, with the last being withdrawn in July 1997. Over forty still owned by the State Rail Authority were auctioned off in December 1994.[1]

While most were scrapped, a number saw service with other freight operators. Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia, Great Northern Rail Services, Independent Rail of Australia, Silverton Rail and Southern Shorthaul Railroad all operated 44s, with most ending up with Qube Logistics until their final withdrawal in 2014.

A number of preserved examples are main-line registered and, as well as operating heritage trains, are used periodically by other operators.[2][3]

Three are on Transport Heritage NSW's Heritage and Conservation Register list. 4401 was in the custody of 3801 Limited, and 4403 was with the Australian Railway Historical Society, Canberra until 2017. 4401 is now in the custody of the Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum, and 4403 and 4490 are with the NSW Rail Museum.[4]

Fleet status

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Locomotive Serial No Completed Current Owner Livery Status
4401 82807 Jul 57 Transport Heritage NSW Indian red Preserved, Static Display, Junee
4403 82809 Nov 57 Transport Heritage NSW Indian red Preserved, Operational, Thirlmere
4420 82892 Sep 58 Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum Red terror Preserved, Stored, Dorrigo
4458 83748 Feb 61 Qube Logistics Silver Stored, Junee
4464 G-3421-04 Jan 66 Transport Heritage NSW Indian red Preserved, Operational
4465 G-3421-05 Feb 66 John Currey Candy Stored, Werris Creek
4472 G-3421-12 Aug 66 Hunter Valley Railway Trust Silver & Yellow Preserved, Stored, East Greta
4473 G-3421-13 Sep 66 Transport Heritage NSW Indian red Preserved, Operational
4477 G-3421-17 Dec 66 Qube Logistics CFCLA Stored, Junee
4486 G-3421-26 May 67 Transport Heritage NSW Indian red Preserved, Operational
4488 G-3421-28 Jul 67 Qube Logistics Silver Stored, Junee
4490 G-3421-30 Jul 67 Transport Heritage NSW Indian red Preserved, Operational, Thirlmere
4497 G-3421-37 Oct 67 Qube Logistics Silver Operational, Junee

References

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  1. ^ "State Rail's Locomotive Auction Results" Railway Digest January 1995 page 36
  2. ^ 44 Class Railpage
  3. ^ 44 Class Vicsig
  4. ^ RailCorp S170 Heritage & Conservation Register RailCorp

Further reading

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  • New South Wales Rail System Locomotives. Sydney: Archives Section, State Rail Authority of New South Wales. 1984.
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  Media related to New South Wales 44 class locomotives at Wikimedia Commons