WAGR M class (diesel)

The M/MA class are a class of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for the Western Australian Government Railways in 1972–1973.

Western Australian Government Railways M/MA class
MA1862 & M1851 at Forrestfield in March 1986
Type and origin Power type Diesel-hydraulic Builder Walkers Limited, Maryborough Model GH500V Build date 1972–1973 Total produced M: 2 MA: 3
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC B'B' Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Loco weight M: 53.8 tonnes (53.0 long tons; 59.3 short tons) MA: 44.7 tonnes (44.0 long tons; 49.3 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover M: Cummins VTA 1710L MA: Caterpillar D379B Transmission Voith L4R4U2 MU working M: none MA: within class.
Performance figures Maximum speed 45 mph (72 km/h) Power output M: 450 kW (600 hp) MA: 520 kW (700 hp) Tractive effort 109 kN (25,000 lbf)
Career Operators Western Australian Government Railways Number in class M: 2 MA: 3 Numbers M1851–M1852 MA1861–MA1863 First run 1972

History

Walkers Limited had previously supplied similar locomotives to the Emu Bay Railway (as the 11 class), Queensland Railways (as the DH class) and the New South Wales Government Railways (as the 73 class).

Two M Class were purchased for hump shunting at Forrestfield Yard in 1972. They were fitted with cab signalling for this purpose. In 1973 a further three were purchased which were designated the MA class. These differed in having Caterpillar engines, were much lighter, could operate in multiple with each other and did not have cab signalling.

In January 1994, four were written off and sold to CSR in Queensland. M1851 was heavily rebuilt and converted to 610mm gauge by Walkers in 1996. It is currently in operation with Wilmar Sugar as DL28 "Jourama". M1852 was rebuilt similarly in 1997 and is in operation as DL29 "Cairns". MA1861 and MA1863 are currently stored in Queensland and are used for parts. MA1862 remained in service with Westrail, and later Transperth as the Claisebrook Depot shunter until 2014. In 2015, it was sold to the Hotham Valley Railway.

Status list

Locomotive Builders No. Entered Service Written Off Status M1851 680 1972 1994 Sold to CSR, heavily rebuilt and converted to 610mm gauge by Walkers in 1996, currently in operation with Wilmar Sugar as DL28 "Jourama" M1852 681 1972 1994 Sold to CSR, heavily rebuilt and converted to 610mm gauge by Walkers in 1997, currently in operation with Wilmar Sugar as DL29 "Cairns" MA1861 713 1973 1994 Sold to CSR, stored at Pioneer Mill, Brandon, Queensland MA1862 714 1973 2015 Sold to Hotham Valley Railway, stored at Pinjarra awaiting new transmission MA1863 715 1973 1994 Sold to CSR, stored at Victoria Mill, Ingham, Queensland

External links

Media related to WAGR M class (diesel) at Wikimedia Commons