BHP Port Kembla D1 class

The D1 class were a class of diesel locomotives built by Commonwealth Engineering, Granville with English Electric traction equipment for Australian Iron & Steel's, Port Kembla steelworks in 1950–1951.

BHP Port Kembla D1 class
D1 in storage at the NSW Rail Museum, 2016
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Commonwealth Engineering, Granville Build date 1950-1951 Total produced 8
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo-Bo Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 8 in (1,118 mm) Wheelbase 30 ft 6 in (9.30 m) Length 41 ft (12.50 m) Width 9 ft 3 in (2,819 mm) Height 14 ft (4,267 mm) Adhesive weight 21.75 long tons (22.1 t; 24.4 short tons) Loco weight 87 long tons (88.4 t; 97.4 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 600 imp gal (2,700 L; 720 US gal) Lubricant cap. 82 imp gal (370 L; 98 US gal) Coolant cap. 100 imp gal (450 L; 120 US gal) Prime mover English Electric 8SRKT Mk I RPM range 450 to 750 rpm Engine type four stroke, 8 in line, two valves per cylinder Aspiration turbocharged Generator English Electric 819 Cylinders 8 Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm) Loco brake Air Train brakes Air
Performance figures Maximum speed 21 miles per hour (34 km/h) Power output 880 hp (660 kW) gross, 800 hp (600 kW) net Tractive effort: ​  • Starting 57,000 lbf (253.5 kN)  • Continuous 23,500 lbf (104.5 kN) at 10.2 mph (20 km/h)
Career Operators Australian Iron & Steel Number in class 8 Numbers D1-D8 First run 4 May 1950 Retired 2004 Preserved D1, D6, D7 Disposition 2 preserved, 1 stored, 5 scrapped

History

In May 1950, D1 became the first diesel to operate on an Australian main line. The eight D class locomotives hauled trains on Australian Iron & Steel's, Port Kembla until a downturn in the early 1980s saw most of the class withdrawn.^[1][2][3] D6 and D7 were reactivated with the former remaining in service until 2004.^[4]

Three have been preserved:^[5]

• D1 by the NSW Rail Museum, Thirlmere.
• D6 by the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway, Lithgow. This unit is still stored in Port Kembla.
• D7 by the former ARHS ACT Division, Canberra.