Queensland Railways 1720 class explained

Queensland Railways 1720 class
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Buildmodel:Electro-Motive Diesel GL18C
Builddate:1966–1970
Totalproduction:56
Aarwheels:C-C
Uicclass:Co′Co′
Length:13.4m (44feet)
Locoweight:§
Fueltype:Diesel
Primemover:Electro-Motive Diesel 645E
Generator:Electro-Motive Diesel D25
Tractionmotors:Electro-Motive Diesel CD36
Cylindercount:8
Maxspeed:100km/h
Poweroutput:745kW
Operator:Queensland Railways
Numinclass:56
Fleetnumbers:1720–1775
Firstrundate:October 1966
Currentowner:Aurizon, Queensland Rail
Disposition:33 in service, 10 stored, 12 exported, 1 preserved

The 1720 class are a class of diesel locomotives built between 1966 and 1970 by Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm for Queensland Railways in Australia.

History

The 1720 class were an evolution of the 1700 class. They operated throughout Queensland on branchline freight, suburban and mainline passenger services and on shunting duties.[1] [2] [3] Later they were modified for driver only operation receiving a larger windscreen and a air conditioning box along with the D symbol added to the end of the locomotive number to indicate driver only operation.

Some have been exported, although the majority as at January 2014 remain in service.[4] Unit 1741 was acquired for preservation by the Queensland Diesel Restoration Group in October 2016.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Oberg, Leon. Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. 1984. Reed Books. Frenchs Forest. 0-730100-05-7. 258.
  2. https://sites.google.com/site/queenslandgreattrains/Home/diesel-locomotives/1720-class 1720 Class
  3. http://www.qrig.org/motive-power/locomotives/diesel/qrnational/clydegm-1720-class Clyde/GM 1720 Class
  4. http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/1720-class 1720 Class
  5. Web site: 1741D. Queensland Diesel Restoration Group. 4 October 2016. 5 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161005131222/http://www.qdrg.net/1741d/. live.