Westrail DB class

Westrail DB class

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DB1588 at Forrestfield Yard in April 1986.
Type and origin
Power type Diesel-electric
Builder Clyde Engineering, Rosewater
Serial number 81-989 to 81-998
82-1122 to 82-1124
Model EMD G26C-2
Build date 1982/83
Total produced 13
Specifications
AAR wheel arr. C-C
UIC class Co-Co
Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Length 18.01 m (59 ft 1.06 in)
Width 2.85 m (9 ft 4.20 in)
Height 3.95 m (12 ft 11.51 in)
Axle load 18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons)
Loco weight 108 t (106 long tons; 119 short tons)
Fuel type Diesel
Fuel capacity 6,000 L (1,320 imp gal; 1,585 US gal)
Lubricant cap 757 L (167 imp gal; 200 US gal)
Coolant cap 795 L (175 imp gal; 210 US gal)
Prime mover EMD 16-645E
Engine type Diesel
Aspiration Rootes blown
Generator EMD AR6-G
Traction motors EMD D29, 6 of
Cylinders V16
Train brakes Air & Vacuum
Performance figures
Power output
  • 1,715 kW (2,300 hp)
Tractive effort
  • 322 kN (72,000 lbf) (starting)
  • 269 kN (60,000 lbf) (continuous)
Career
Operators Westrail, ARG, QR National, Aurizon
Number in class 13
Numbers
  • DB1581–DB1593 /
  • DBZ2301–DBZ2313
First run March 1982
Current owner Aurizon
Disposition 9 in service, 2 in store

The Westrail DB class is a class of diesel-electric locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Rosewater, for Westrail in 1982/83.

History

In 1980, Westrail ordered ten DB class locomotives from Clyde Engineering, Rosewater. Designated as the EMD G26C-2, they were an evolution of the DA class. The original order was extended to thirteen in October 1980.[1] The class were fitted with a full width cab, dual braking (air and vacuum) systems, a pressurised body to exclude dust and were the first Westrail locomotives to have air-conditioned cabs.[2]

They were not owned by Westrail, but leverage leased from LVL Nominees, entering service between April 1982 and May 1983. All were named after cities and shires in South West Western Australia.[3] Brass nameplates were originally fitted, but these were later replaced by painted names.[2]

All were included in the sale of Westrail to Australian Railroad Group in December 2000, the State Government having bought out the leases shortly before. As part of a policy to drop letter classifications in favour of a numeric system based on horsepower, they became the 2300 class. In May 2003, 2313 was transferred to Australian Southern Railroad's Whyalla operation, it returned in August 2006.[1][2]

In June 2006, all were included in the sale of Australian Railroad Group's Western Australian operation to QR National. Between 2006 and 2012, all were equipped with ZTR engine control equipment. A change in policy saw letter classifications reintroduced, with the class again becoming the DB class. Upon being fitted with ZTR equipment, they were reclassified as DBZs.[1][2]

All remained in service at the beginning of 2013, however 12 months later this was down to five with the last two withdrawn in March 2014. By June 2014, seven had returned to service.[2]

Status list

Westrail no Aurizon no Serial no In service Name(s) Notes
DB1581 DBZ2301 81-989 April 1982 City of Bunbury
DB1582 DBZ2302 81-990 May 1982 Shire of Jarrahdale (sic)
DB1583 DBZ2303 81-991 June 1982 Shire of Murray
DB1584 DBZ2304 81-992 July 1982 Shire of Waroona
DB1585 DBZ2305 81-993 August 1982 Shire of Harvey
DB1586 DBZ2306 81-994 September 1982 Shire of Dardanup
DB1587 DBZ2307 81-995 October 1982 Shire of Capel
DB1588 DBZ2308 81-996 November 1982 Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup
DB1589 DBZ2309 81-997 December 1982 Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes
DB1590 DBZ2310 81-998 February 1983 Shire of Collie / Shire of Manjimup swapped names with 2311 during overhaul
DB1591 DBZ2311 82-1122 March 1983 Shire of Manjimup / Shire of Collie swapped names with 2310 during overhaul
DB1592 DBZ2312 82-1123 May 1983 Shire of Toodyay
DB1593 DBZ2313 82-1124 May 1983 Shire of Northam / Iron Duke / Shire of Dowerin transferred to Australian Southern Railroad, Whyalla May 2003, renamed Iron Duke, returned August 2006 and renamed Shire of Dowerin

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Loco Brief: DB/2300". Australian Railways Illustrated (9): 27. August 2011. ISSN 1837-915X.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "The Westrail DB class" Motive Power issue 94 July 2014 pages 29-41
  3. ↑ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 299. ISBN 0 730100 05 7.

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