WAGR X class
Preserved XA1401 at the Hotham Valley Railway
in July 2011 |
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| Type and origin | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Diesel-electric |
| Builder | Beyer, Peacock and Company/Metropolitan-Vickers |
| Serial number | 830-877 |
| Build date | 1954-56 |
| Total produced | 48 |
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| AAR wheel arr. | (?) |
| UIC class | 2-Do-2 |
| Gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Length | 14.63 m (48 ft 0 in) |
| Loco weight | 80 t (79 long tons; 88 short tons) |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Prime mover | Crossley HST-Vee8 |
| Engine type | Two stroke V8 diesel |
| Aspiration | Pulse-charged |
| Generator | MV TG4203 |
| Traction motors | MV136 |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Performance figures | |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 89 km/h (55 mph) |
| Power output | 779 kw (1,045 bhp) |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Operators | Western Australian Government Railways |
| Number in class | 48 |
| Numbers | X1001-X1032 XA140l-XA1416 |
| First run | 4 May 1954 |
| Retired | 31 March 1988 |
| Preserved | X1001, XA1401, XA1402, XA1405, XA1411, XA1415 |
| Disposition | 6 preserved, remainder scrapped |
The X class was a class of diesel locomotives built by Beyer, Peacock and Company and Metropolitan-Vickers, Bowesfield Works, for the Western Australian Government Railways between 1954 and 1956.
In the early 1950s the Western Australian Government Railways placed the largest single Australian order for diesel locomotives, when it ordered 48 2-Do-2 locomotives from Beyer, Peacock and Company and Metropolitan-Vickers. All were delivered between 1954 and 1956.
The X class revolutionised operations on the WAGR. Their light axle load (around 12t) meant they could travel on all lines. The dual cab arrangement eliminated the need for turning. They were quickly allocated to express passenger trains including the Albany Express, Australind, Kalgoorlie Express and The Westland.
At the time of construction, the HST-Vee8 was an untested concept, though the engine itself was an evolution of a design used successfully in patrol boats during World War Two. Failures commenced within weeks of the first locomotives being unveiled. It was only the skill of staff at WAGR's Midland Railway Workshops that saved the day. In their early days, availability was less than for steam.
The engines used exhaust pulse pressure charging and developed 1,200 horsepower (895 kW) at 625 rpm, though in 1981 they were down-rated to 875 hp@600rpm. There were no valves, and inlet and exhaust were via ports in the cylinder walls.
The engines burnt oil, had underfed bearings, vibrated and popped heads and pistons, and suffered from ring scuffing for most of their lives. It was only the engineering excellence, and perseverance of Midland Railway Workshops staff that kept the locomotives operating, and performance improving. In the end, over 600 design faults, mainly in the Crossley engine, were overcome.
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Wikipedia