South Australian Railways 900 class

The 900 class were a class of diesel locomotives built by Islington Railway Workshops for the South Australian Railways between 1951 and 1953.

South Australian Railways 900 class
900 Lady Norrie
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Islington Railway Workshops Build date 1951-1953 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC A1A-A1A Gauge 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Wheel diameter 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Wheelbase 52 ft 2 in (15,900 mm) total, 16 ft 2 in (4,928 mm) bogie Length 63 ft 4 in (19,304 mm) over headstocks, 66 ft 2 in (20,168 mm) over coupling faces Width 9 ft 7+1⁄4 in (2,927 mm) Height 13 ft 9 in (4,191 mm) Axle load 21 long tons (21.3 t; 23.5 short tons) Adhesive weight 84 long tons (85.3 t; 94.1 short tons) Loco weight 121 long tons (122.9 t; 135.5 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 1,000 imp gal (4,500 L) Prime mover English Electric 16SVT Mk I RPM range 450–750 rpm Engine type Four-stroke, 2 valves per cylinder Aspiration Turbocharged Generator English Electric 822 type Traction motors 4 type 523A air cooled Cylinders 16 Vee Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm) MU working X 3 Loco brake Westinghouse Compressed Air, and Electric Dynamic
Performance figures Maximum speed 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) Power output 1,760 hp (1,310 kW) gross, 1,600 hp (1,190 kW) net Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 56,000 lbf (249.1 kN)  • Continuous 34,000 lbf (151.2 kN) at 15 mph (20 km/h)
Career Operators South Australian Railways Number in class 10 Numbers 900-909 Nicknames Magnificent Beasts First run 10 September 1951 Last run 18 June 1985 Preserved 900, 907, 909 Disposition 3 preserved, 7 scrapped

History

The 900 class were the first mainline diesels operated by the South Australian Railways. Ten were built at Islington Railway Workshops to replace steam locomotives on the heavily graded Mount Lofty Ranges. They operated both heavy freight trains and passenger services including The Overland. After the arrival of more powerful diesel, they were concentrated on the easier-graded lines from Adelaide to Port Pirie and Peterborough.

In March 1978, all were included in the transfer of the South Australian Railways to Australian National. Withdrawals commenced in May 1979 with the last two withdrawn on 18 June 1985 after operating a cement train from Angaston to Dry Creek. Three have been preserved with the other seven scrapped.

Preserved

Three units have been preserved:

• 900 Lady Norrie resides at the National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide
• 907 resides in Tailem Bend under private ownership in derelict condition
• 909 resides in Tailem Bend under private ownership being standard gauge converted and soon to be restored

References

English Electric brochure TD120 https://www.flickr.com/photos/29903115@N06/6747430491

900 class drivers cab

Two 900 class locomotives