Commonwealth Railways NT class explained

Commonwealth Railways NT class
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Serialnumber:37 to 42 and 48 to 54
Builddate:1965–1968
Totalproduction:13
Uicclass:Co-Co
Length:15.54m (50.98feet)
Axleload:12.9t
Locoweight:70t
Fueltype:Diesel
Primemover:Sulzer 6LDA28C
Generator:Associated Electrical Industries type TG.5302W
Tractionmotors:Associated Electrical Industries type 253AZ
Maxspeed:800NaN0
Poweroutput:970-1NaN-1
Operator:Commonwealth Railways
Numinclass:13
Fleetnumbers:NT65–NT77
Preservedunits:NT76
Disposition:1 preserved, 12 scrapped

The NT class were a class of diesel-electric locomotives built between 1965 and 1968 by Tulloch Limited, Rhodes for the Commonwealth Railways. They saw service on the Central Australia Railway and North Australia Railway, and on the Port Lincoln Division of Australian National.

History

In 1964 Commonwealth Railways ordered three locomotives from Tulloch Limited based on a Sulzer design that had entered service with the Nigerian Railway Corporation. The first was handed over on 12 May 1965 and named after Federal Minister for Shipping & Transport Gordon Freeth.[1] [2]

In 1966 a further three were delivered for the North Australia Railway. A further seven were delivered in 1968: two for the Central Australian Railway and five for the North Australia Railway. Following the delivery of the NJ class in 1971, all the five Central Australian units were transferred north.[1]

In November 1972, three were destroyed in a run-away at Frances Bay freight yard.[3] Following the closure of the North Australia Railway in December 1974, the remaining 10 NTs were transferred to the Central Australian Railway.

In July 1975, all were included in the transfer of Commonwealth Railways to Australian National. Following the closure of the narrow gauge Central Australian Railway in 1980, three were transferred to the Eyre Peninsula Railway and the others were withdrawn.[4] [5] The last three were withdrawn in the late 1980s. NTs 69 and 73 literally went out in a blaze of glory when, during their scrapping, they caught fire.[6]

Preservation

NT76 has been preserved. Owned and operated by Pichi Richi Railway, Quorn, it is commonly used on track maintenance duties, shunt movements and on days when a steam locomotive cannot be operated.[7]

Class workings

Notes and References

  1. Book: Oberg, Leon. Locomotives of Australia 1850's – 1980's. 1984. Reed Books. Frenchs Forest. 0-730100-05-7. 254.
  2. "Tulloch- Sulzer Diesels for CR have High Power/Weight Ratio" Railway Transportation September 1965 pp27-31
  3. Book: Harvey, J. The Never Never Line – The Story of the Northern Australia Railway. 1987. Hyland House. 0-947062-20-3.
  4. http://www.comrails.com/cr_locos/r_nt.html#77 Narrow Gauge NT
  5. http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/nt NT
  6. "Locos catch fire" Port Lincoln Times 21 August 1990
  7. http://www.prr.org.au/cms/history-mainmenu-77/locomotives-and-railcars-mainmenu-52/113-commonwealth-railways-nt-class-locomotives.html Commonwealth Railways NT class locomotives
  8. Sampson R; Fluck R 1982; "Locomotives of Australian National Mainland" Mile End Railway Museum, Cowandilla
  9. Perrin S; As Editor – "Steamtown Newsletter"; Steamtown, Peterborough Railway Preservation Society (now defunct) various editions
  10. Evans, J 2009; Proceed To Quorn; Railmac Publications
  11. Locomotive Registers Port Lincoln Workshops
  12. Yates, R 1980 Narrow Gauge Movements "Steamtown Newsletter" No 9 June 1980 Steamtown Peterborough Railway Preservation Society Inc