WAGR RA class (diesel) explained

Western Australian Government Railways RA class
Powertype:Diesel-electric
Serialnumber:A.202-A.207, A.218-A.222, A.244, A.248
Builddate:1968-72
Totalproduction:13
Aarwheels:C-C
Uicclass:Co-Co, Co′Co′
Bogies:English Electric low weight transfer
Wheeldiameter:3feet
Minimumcurve:2643NaN3
Wheelbase:44feet total, 11feet bogie
Length:53feet over headstocks
Width:9feet
Height:133NaN3
Axleload:15.5LT
Locoweight:93LT
Fueltype:Diesel
Fuelcap:1200impgal
Coolantcap:200impgal
Primemover:EE 12CSVT Mk II
Rpmrange:850rpm
Enginetype:four stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspiration:turbo, intercooled
Generator:EE822/16J
Tractionmotors:EE548
Cylindercount:12 Vee
Cylindersize:10x
Multipleworking:110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Poweroutput:1950-1NaN-1, gross, 1795-1NaN-1 net
T/E Starting:670001NaN1
T/E Continuous:505001NaN1 at 10.8-1NaN-1
Locobrakes:Air, proportional control
Trainbrakes:Dual air and vacuum
Operator:Western Australian Government Railways
Disposition:12 scrapped, 1 preserved

The RA Class are diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Western Australian Government Railways between 1969 and 1972. They were a revised version of the R class.

Description

The RA class were a hood type general purpose diesel-electric locomotive. They were similar to the Queensland Railways 1300 class. All equipment, except traction motors, were interchangeable with the standard gauge K class. The main differences with the R class were a slight increase in length and wheelbase and deletion of the dynamic brake. They were otherwise identical mechanically and electrically.

The bogies were identical to those fitted to the R class and were an English Electric design with low weight transfer characteristics. They feature fully equalised primary spring gear, all traction motors in each bogie mounted with the nose-suspension facing inwards, traction thrust at near axle level and long pivot centres to reduce inter-bogie transfer. Adhesion loss at maximum tractive effort is limited to 4.5 per cent allowing 1830LT trailing load to be hauled up a 1 in 100 grade.

History

Following on from the R class, a further 11 were ordered, but without dynamic brakes. A further two were financed by the Lefroy Salt Company for use over a 13km (08miles) spur off the Esperance line.[1] [2] [3] [4]

In 1973, a version of the RA class with a low nose was ordered for Tasmanian Government Railways, which classed them Z.

In 1974 the RA1914, RA1917 and RA1918 were fitted with standard gauge bogies and renumbered KA211-KA213.[1] [5] RA1918 has been preserved by Rail Heritage WA.[6]

Class list

Key:In ServiceWithdrawnPreservedConvertedScrapped
Serial Number Entered Service Road Number Current/Last Owner Status
A.203November 8, 1969RA1906WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.204November 21, 1969RA1907WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.205December 3, 1969RA1908WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.206December 23, 1969RA1909WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.202February 6, 1970RA1910WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.207February 5, 1970RA1911WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.218April 8, 1971RA1912WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.219March 4, 1971RA1913WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.220May 6, 1971RA1914, KA211UGL RailUsed as an engine test bed at UGL Bassendean
A.221May 6, 1971RA1915WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.222March 17, 1971RA1916WestrailScrapped, Midland Workshops (October 1992)
A.244July 11, 1972RA1917, KA212QubeScrapped, Bellevue (May 29, 2016)
A.248July 19, 1972RA1918, KA213Rail Heritage WAPreserved by Rail Heritage WA, Bassendean

Notes and References

  1. Book: Oberg, Leon. Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. 1984. Reed Books. Frenchs Forest. 0-730100-05-7. 260.
  2. Book: Oberg, Leon. Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. 2010. Rosenberg Publishing. Kenthurst. 9781921719011. 351–352.
  3. http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/r-class-wa-diesel R Class (WA, diesel)
  4. http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/ra-class-wa-diesel RA Class (WA, diesel)
  5. http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/ka-class-wa-diesel KA Class (WA, diesel)
  6. https://archive.today/20110722080518/http://www.railheritagewa.org.au/museum/pages/bassendean.htm# Diesel Locomotives