Westrail S class

Westrail S class

S2106 in July 2008

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering, Forrestfield Model Electro Motive Diesel JT42C Build date 1998 Total produced 11

Specifications AAR wheel arr. C-C UIC class Co-Co, Co′Co′ Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Length 20.8 m (68 ft 3 in) Loco weight 116 long tons (117.9 t; 129.9 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover Electro Motive Diesel 12N-710GB-ES

Performance figures Maximum speed 90 km/h (56 mph) Power output 3,010 hp (2,240 kW) Tractive effort 74,440 lbf (331.1 kN)

Career Operators Westrail Number in class 11 Numbers S2101–S2111 First run 6 March 1998 Current owner Aurizon Disposition 11 in service

The S class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Forrestfield for Westrail in 1998.

History

The S class were the first dual-cab locomotives purchased by Westrail. In May 1996 nine were ordered from Clyde Engineering as part of an order that also included 15 standard gauge Q class locomotives.^[1][2] The order later extended to eleven.^[3][4] They are an evolution of the FreightCorp 82 class. All were assembled at a facility established by Clyde Engineering within Westrail's Forrestfield Depot to fulfill the contract. The frames were built at Clyde's Somerton plant with other components manufactured at Kelso.^[5]

The S class locomotives entered service in June 1998 hauling ore and mineral trains in South West Western Australia.^[6] All were in service by November 1998^[7]

All were included in the sale of Westrail to Australian Railroad Group in December 2000, with the class redesignated as the 3300 class.^[8] In June 2006, all were included in the sale of Australian Railroad Group's Western Australian operation to QR National.^[9]

References

1. "Westrail Loco Contract Signed" Railway Digest July 1996 page 16
2. "Intelligence" Railway Gazette International volume 152 issue 8 August 1996 page 475
3. "Loco Order Extended" Railway Digest April 1997 page 15
4. "Intelligence" Railway Gazette International volume 153 issue 5 May 1997 page 281
5. "Westrail S Class" Railway Digest February 1998 page 35
6. "S Class Update" Railway Digest August 1998 page 36
7. " Westrail S Class" Railway Digest November 1998 page 37
8. S Class (diesel, WA) Railpage
9. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 401–403. ISBN 9781921719011.