WAGR J class (diesel)

The J class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville, for the Western Australian Government Railways in 1966.

Western Australian Government Railways J class
Southern Shorthaul Railroad J103 & J102 in Newport in May 2008
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering, Granville Serial number 66-479 to 66-483 Model EMD G6B Build date 1966 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Length 13 m (42 ft 8 in) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 2,730 L (600 imp gal; 720 US gal) Prime mover EMD 6-567C Alternator EMD D25C Generator EMD D25/D29
Performance figures Maximum speed 62 km/h (39 mph) Power output 448 kW (601 hp)
Career Operators Western Australian Government Railways Number in class 5 Numbers J101–J105 First run July 1966 Current owner Aurizon SCT Logistics Disposition 4 in service, 1 scrapped

History

The J class entered service between July and October 1966 to provide as shunters for the 657-kilometre (408 mi) Eastern Goldfields Railway from Perth to Kalgoorlie that was being converted to standard gauge. They were a development of the Victorian Railways Y class.

J101 was scrapped in July 1986 with the remaining four sold in 1995 to Great Northern Rail Services and moved to South Dynon Locomotive Depot. They operated freight transfer and infrastructure trains under contract to National Rail. Following the cessation of Great Northern Rail Services in 2004, the 4 units were split up. J102 & J103 were sold to CFCLA and stayed in Melbourne. These 2 units were hired to Southern Shorthaul Railroad for use as terminal shunters and infrastructure workings. J102 & J103 were purchased by SCT Logistics for use as shunters at their various terminals. J104 & J105 were sold to Freightlink, renumbered to FJ104 & FJ105, and moved to the Northern Territory as terminal shunters in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. They were transferred to Genesee & Wyoming Australia following its acquisition of Freightlink. They would pass onto One Rail Australia and later Aurizon, after that company's acquisition of ORA. 102 and 103 currently bear their former SSR colour scheme, whereas 104 and 105, which are currently stored at Dry Creek, are still painted in Freightlink livery.

References

J104 at Forrestfield in March 1986