Queensland Railways 1250 class
Cutaway 1262 at the Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich in October 2011
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder English Electric, Rocklea Build date 1959–1963 Total produced 17
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Commonwealth Co-Co Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Wheel diameter 3 ft 1+1⁄2 in (0.953 m) Wheelbase 40 ft 6 in (12.344 m) total, 12 ft 6 in (3.810 m) bogie Length 49 ft 6 in (15.088 m) over headstocks Width 9 ft 2 in (2.794 m) Axle load 15 long tons (15.2 t; 16.8 short tons) Loco weight 90 long tons (91.4 t; 100.8 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 750 imp gal (3,400 L) Prime mover English Electric 12SVT mark 2 RPM range 400–850 rpm Engine type four stroke, four valves per cylinder Aspiration turbocharged Generator English Electric English Electric 822 Traction motors English Electric English Electric 525 Cylinders 12 vee Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm) Transmission electric MU working 110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle (1255-1266 only fitted) Loco brake air Train brakes air
Performance figures Maximum speed 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) Power output 1,395 hp (1,040 kW) gross, 1,240 hp (920 kW) net (1250-1254) 1,540 hp (1,150 kW) gross, 1,390 hp (1,040 kW) net (1255-1266) Tractive effort 40,200 lbf (178.8 kN) at 9.4 mph (20 km/h)(1250-1254) 46,500 lbf (206.8 kN) at 9.4 mph (20 km/h) (1255-1266)
Career Operators Queensland Railways Number in class 17 Numbers 1250-1266 First run 23 July 1959 Last run 24 November 1987 Preserved 1262, 1263 Disposition 2 preserved, 15 scrapped

The 1250 class were a class of diesel locomotive built by English Electric, Rocklea for Queensland Railways between 1959 and 1963.

History

The design of the 1250 class was unusual being a cab unit with a cab similar to the 1200 class but with a narrow long hood.^[1] They were based on a design built for use in Brazil five years prior.

The first five units had a 1,035 kW (1,390 hp) engine and screw couplers.

The subsequent units fitted with a 1,145 kW (1,540 hp) engine, auto couplers and were wired for multiple unit operation.

They were used on ore traffic on the Great Northern line, and on general freight on the North Coast and Southern lines.^[1][2][3] A characteristic addition to the 1250 class in 1961 was a sun visor to help reduce glare.

Withdrawal & disposal

Two were withdrawn in the early 1980s, donating parts to the rebuild of the single 1225 class locomotive. The remainder were withdrawn in 1987. Two units have been preserved:^[1][4]

• 1262 was retained by the Queensland Rail Heritage Division and is on static display as a cutaway at the Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich
• 1263 is owned by the Australian Railway Historical Society and stored in Townsville

Status table