BHP Port Kembla D9 class
PowertypeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric, Rocklea
Builddate1956-60
Totalproduction13
UicclassB-B
Wheeldiameter3 ft 8 in (1,118 mm)
Minimumcurve150 ft (45.72 m)
Wheelbase28 ft 3 in (8.61 m) total, 7 ft 3 in (2.210 m) bogie
Length38 ft 1 in (11.61 m) over couplers
Width9 ft 3 in (2,819 mm)
Height13 ft 10+1⁄2 in (4,229 mm)
Axleload15 long tons
(15.2 t; 16.8 short tons)
Locoweight60 long tons
(61.0 t; 67.2 short tons)
FueltypeDiesel
Fuelcap500 imp gal
(2,300 L; 600 US gal)
PrimemoverEnglish Electric 6KT
Rpmrange330 - 680rpm
Enginetypefour stroke, 6 Inline two valves per cylinder
AspirationNatural
TractionmotorsTwo EE506
Cylindercount6
Cylindersize10 by 12 in
(254 by 305 mm)
Maxspeed17+1⁄2 mph (28.2 km/h)
Poweroutput400 hp (300 kW) gross
Tractiveeffort17,800 lbf (79.2 kN) at 2.9 mph (0 km/h)
LocobrakesAir
TrainbrakesAir
OperatorAustralian Iron & Steel
Numinclass13
FleetnumbersD9-D15, D20-D25
FirstrundateAugust 1956
PreservedunitsD9, D11, D20, D21, D23, D25
Disposition6 preserved, 7 scrapped

The D9 class were a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for Australian Iron & Steel's, Port Kembla steelworks between 1956 and 1960.

History

In the 1950s, Australian Iron & Steel commenced an extensive modernisation and expansion of its Port Kembla steelworks. To operate on the expanded 200 kilometre network, seven shunter locomotives were ordered from English Electric with the first entering service in September 1956. A further six were delivered in 1960. A distinct feature of the locomotives was a large cooling fan at the end of the hood.[1][2]

A down turn in the early 1980s saw the class withdrawn, with D10 being hired to fellow BHP subsidiary Blue Circle Cement for use at Portland in 1982/83 and Berrima in 1986/87.[3] In 1989 three locos, D21, D23 & D24 were overhauled & repainted in the Lysaghts yellow colour scheme to replace locomotives on the neighbouring John Lysaght plant.

Six have been preserved:[4]

References

  1. ^ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. pp. 230–231. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
  2. ^ 400 Class (Port Kembla) Railpage
  3. ^ "Australian Iron & Steel" Railway Digest October 1986 pages 299-303
  4. ^ Port Kembla - Diesel Locomotive Fleetlisting Light Rail Research Society of Australia
  5. ^ "LVR" Railway Digest February 1984 page 69
  6. ^ Our Rolling Stock Archived 2 February 2016 at the Wayback Machine Lachlan Valley Railway
  7. ^ Exhibit List No 39 Dorrigo Steam & Railway Museum 17 April 2013
  8. ^ Newsletter No 1 Archived 26 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Lithgow State Mine Railway April 2012
  9. ^ Newsletter No 2 Archived 26 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Lithgow State Mine Railway October 2012
  10. ^ "ARHS ACT Division" Railway Digest March 1990 page 115