BHP Port Kembla D9 class explained

BHP Port Kembla D9 class
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Builder:English Electric, Rocklea
Builddate:1956-60
Totalproduction:13
Uicclass:B-B
Wheeldiameter:3feet
Minimumcurve:1502NaN2
Wheelbase:28feet total, 7feet bogie
Length:38feet over couplers
Width:9feet
Height:13feet
Axleload:15LT
Locoweight:60LT
Fueltype:Diesel
Fuelcap:500abbr=onNaNabbr=on
Primemover:English Electric 6KT
Rpmrange:330 - 680rpm
Enginetype:four stroke, 6 Inline two valves per cylinder
Aspiration:Natural
Tractionmotors:Two EE506
Cylindercount:6
Cylindersize:10x
Poweroutput:400-1NaN-1 gross
Tractiveeffort:178001NaN1 at 2.9-1NaN-1
Locobrakes:Air
Trainbrakes:Air
Operator:Australian Iron & Steel
Numinclass:13
Fleetnumbers:D9-D15, D20-D25
Firstrundate:August 1956
Preservedunits:D9, D11, D20, D21, D23, D25
Disposition:6 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A down turn in the early 1980s saw the class withdrawn, with D10 being hired to fellow BHP subsidiary Blue Circle Cement for use at Portland in 1982/83 and Berrima in 1986/87.[3] In 1989 three locos, D21, D23 & D24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]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Oberg, Leon. Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. 1984. Reed Books. Frenchs Forest. 0-730100-05-7. 230–231.
  2. http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/400-class-pt-kembla 400 Class (Port Kembla)
  3. "Australian Iron & Steel" Railway Digest October 1986 pages 299-303
  4. http://www.lrrsa.org.au/BHP%20Loco%20Update2.pdf Port Kembla - Diesel Locomotive Fleetlisting
  5. "LVR" Railway Digest February 1984 page 69
  6. http://www.lvr.com.au/cars.htm Our Rolling Stock
  7. http://www.dsrm.org.au/ Exhibit List No 39
  8. http://www.nswrailheritage.com.au/docs/lsmrnews1web.pdf Newsletter No 1
  9. http://www.nswrailheritage.com.au/docs/lsmrnews2web.pdf Newsletter No 2
  10. "ARHS ACT Division" Railway Digest March 1990 page 115