Silverton Tramway 48s class
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderAE Goodwin, Auburn
Serial numberAlco 83826-83828
ModelAlco DL531
Build date1960–1961
Total produced3
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo-Co
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in),
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Wheel diameter40 in (1,016 mm)
LengthOver headstocks:
44 ft 3 in (13.49 m)
Over coupler pulling faces:
48 ft 5 in (14.76 m)
Width9 ft 9 in (2,972 mm)
Height14 ft 0 in (4,267 mm)
Axle load12 long tons 6 cwt (27,600 lb or 12.5 t)
Loco weight74 long tons 0 cwt (165,800 lb or 75.2 t)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity500 imp gal
(2,300 L; 600 US gal)
Lubricant cap.116 imp gal
(530 L; 139 US gal)
Coolant cap.90 imp gal
(410 L; 110 US gal)
Sandbox cap.10 cu ft (0.28 m3)
Prime moverAlco 6-251B
RPM range375–1025
Engine typeFour-stroke inline 6 diesel
AspirationTurbocharged
GeneratorGeneral Electric 5GT 584
Traction motorsGeneral Electric 761
Cylinders6
Cylinder size9 in × 10.5 in
(229 mm × 267 mm)
Performance figures
Maximum speed75 mph (121 km/h)
Power outputGross:
1,050 hp (780 kW)
For traction:
950 hp (710 kW)
Tractive effortContinuous:
40,200 lbf (178.82 kN)
at 8 mph (13 km/h)
Career
OperatorsSilverton Tramway Company
Number in class3
Numbers27–29
First runDecember 1960
Current ownerGenesee & Wyoming Australia
Southern Shorthaul Railroad
Disposition2 in service, 1 scrapped

The Silverton Tramway 48s class are a class of diesel locomotives built by AE Goodwin, Auburn for the Silverton Tramway in 1960–1961. The State Rail Authority 48 class and South Australian Railways 830 class are of a very similar design.

History

Between December 1960 and September 1961, the Silverton Tramway Company took delivery of three Alco DL531 locomotives from AE Goodwin, Auburn painted red and white numbered 27 to 29. They were the same as the 48 class and 830 class locomotives. All were delivered for use on the 56 kilometre Silverton Tramway narrow gauge line from Broken Hill to Cockburn.[1][2]

After the Silverton Tramway was replaced by a new standard gauge line, 27 was sold to the South Australian Railways in February 1970 as 874 and after being rebuilt with a nose low cab, continues in service with Genesee & Wyoming Australia as 907.[1] The other two were fitted with standard gauge bogies, 28 at Silverton's workshop and 29 at Islington Railway Workshops and were relegated to trip working between the various mines in Broken Hill being repainted in Silverton's yellow and blue livery in May 1984.[2]

Second hand purchases

In 1990, Silverton Rail purchased two ex Australian National 830 class from AN Tasrail[3] followed in December 1994 by six ex State Rail Authority 48 class locomotives.[4] Initially numbered in the STxx series, all were renumbered as the 48s class.[5] Also purchased for parts were two 830s and three 48s.[3][6]

Mainline service

In 1995/96, Silverton Rail leased ST30 to ST35 to National Rail for use on Adelaide to Melbourne services as bankers to Tailem Bend.[7][8] Following Silverton Rail being awarded a contract by National Rail to haul iron ore trains from Cobar to Narromine, most of the STs were transferred to Parkes in August 1999.[9]

All ten were included in the sale of Silverton Rail to South Spur Rail Services in 2006 and later passed to Greentrains.[10][11] They primarily operate in New South Wales. In April 2016, five Greentrains units were sold to Southern Shorthaul Railroad.[12][13]

Status table

Purchased new

Current No Serial Number Date Owner Status Notes
907 83826 Dec 1960 Genesee & Wyoming Australia In service ex Silverton 27, sold to South Australian Railways as 874, rebuilt as 907
48s28 83827 May 1961 Southern Shorthaul Railroad In service ex 28
48s29 83828 Sep 1961 Greentrains Scrapped ex 29

Purchased second hand

Current No Serial Number Date Owner Status Notes
864 84710 Jul 1963 Greentrains In service ex 48s30 ex AN Tasrail 864
48s31 84703 Apr 1963 Greentrains Scrapped ex AN Tasrail 857
48s32 83820 Feb 1961 Greentrains Scrapped ex State Rail Authority 4825
48s33 83824 May 1961 Southern Shorthaul Railroad In service ex State Rail Authority 4829
48s34 83715 Feb 1960 Southern Shorthaul Railroad In service ex State Rail Authority 4815
48s35 84133 Feb 1962 Southern Shorthaul Railroad In service ex State Rail Authority 4843
48s36 83711 Dec 1959 Southern Shorthaul Railroad In service ex State Rail Authority 4811
48s37 84128 Dec 1961 Greentrains Stored ex State Rail Authority 4838

References

  1. ^ a b McNicol, Steve (1981). Silverton Tramway Locomotives. Elizabeth Downs: Railmac Publications. p. 22. ISBN 0-959415-30-0.
  2. ^ a b "Silverton" Railway Digest July 1985 page 189
  3. ^ a b "Silverton" Railway Digest August 1990 page 286
  4. ^ "State Rail's Locomotive Auction Results" Railway Digest January 1995 page 36
  5. ^ 48s Class Railpage
  6. ^ "Silverton Rail Loco Transfer" Railway Digest January 2000 page 36
  7. ^ "Rail Authorities Face Loco Shortage" Railway Digest December 1995 page 16
  8. ^ "South Australia" Railway Digest July 1996 page 37
  9. ^ "Silverton Rail Update" Railway Digest October 1999 page 14
  10. ^ History[permanent dead link] Engenco
  11. ^ 48s Class Vicsig
  12. ^ Disposal of Greentrains rollingstock Archived 18 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine Engenco 28 April 2016
  13. ^ "Greentrans rollingstock sold to Holdco Holdings" Railway Digest June 2016 page 6
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