Queensland Railways 1620 class explained

Queensland Railways 1620 class
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Builddate:1967-1969
Totalproduction:34
Uicclass:Co-Co
Length:13.84m (45.41feet)
Locoweight:63t
Fueltype:Diesel
Primemover:English Electric 6CSRKT mark 2
Enginetype:four stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspiration:turbo, intercooled
Cylindercount:6
Cylindersize:10in by 12in
Generator:English Electric 827
Tractionmotors:English Electric 540
Multipleworking:110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Maxspeed:80km/h
Poweroutput:755kW gross
Locobrakes:straight air
Trainbrakes:air
Operator:Queensland Railways
Numinclass:34
Fleetnumbers:1620-1653
Firstrundate:1967
Preservedunits:1620, 1632, 1639. 1649, 1650, 1651
Disposition:6 preserved, 10 exported, 18 scrapped

The 1620 class was a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for Queensland Railways between 1967 and 1969.

The 1620 class locomotives are similar to the New Zealand Railways DI class, also built at the Rocklea works.

History

The 1620 class was an evolution of the 1600 class being fitted with a hood nose. They operated in Central and North Queensland as well as hauling commuter trains in Brisbane.[1] [2] [3] The class was withdrawn in the mid 1990s with some sold to John Holland and exported to Malaysia and The Philippines.[4] [5]

1647 has been recently noted to still be in use with Lafarge cement at Padang Jawa, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Six have been preserved:[2]

Status table of preserved locomotives

NumberIn serviceWithdrawnOwnerLocationNotes
162001/19671991QR HeritageIpswich WorkshopsStored pending complete rewiring of electrical systems. Unlikely to be operational for the foreseeable future.
163207/19671991Mary Valley RattlerGympieOperational. Used as a replacement when a steam locomotive is not available.
163910/19671991Mary Valley RattlerGympieStored in Gympie Yard as a source for spare parts.
164902/19691991Mary Valley RattlerGympieStored in Gympie Yard as a source for spare parts.
165003/19691991QR HeritageIpswich WorkshopsDonated to QR Heritage by ARHS(QLD). Stored in good condition awaiting completion of a restoration initiated by the previous custodian.
165103/19691991QR HeritageIpswich WorkshopsDonated to QR Heritage by ARHS(QLD). Used as a source for spare parts.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Oberg, Leon. Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. 1984. Reed Books. Frenchs Forest. 0-730100-05-7. 240.
  2. https://sites.google.com/site/queenslandgreattrains/Home/historical-diesel-locos/1600-1620-class 1600, 1620 Class
  3. http://www.qrig.org/motive-power/locomotives/diesel/qrnational/english-electric-1620-class English Electric 1620 Class
  4. "QR Clydes to NZ, 'Poms' to Philippines [sic]" Railway Digest October 1995 page 15
  5. http://philippinerailwayhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com.au/2007/12/john-holland-1620s.html The John Holland 1620s!