Queensland Railways 1720 class

The 1720 class are a class of diesel locomotives built between 1966 and 1970 by Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm for Queensland Railways in Australia.

Queensland Railways 1720 class
Bicentennial liveried 1723 at Moolabin Yard railway station in February 1988
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm Model Electro-Motive Diesel GL18C Build date 1966–1970 Total produced 56
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co′Co′ Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Length 13.4 metres (44 ft) Loco weight 62 tonnes (61 long tons; 68 short tons)§ Fuel type Diesel Prime mover Electro-Motive Diesel 645E Generator Electro-Motive Diesel D25 Traction motors Electro-Motive Diesel CD36 Cylinders 8
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) Power output 745 kilowatts (999 hp)
Career Operators Queensland Railways Number in class 56 Numbers 1720–1775 First run October 1966 Current owner Aurizon, Queensland Rail Disposition 33 in service, 10 stored, 12 exported, 1 preserved

History

The 1720 class were an evolution of the 1700 class. They operated throughout Queensland on branchline freight, suburban and mainline passenger services and on shunting duties.^[1][2][3] Later they were modified for driver only operation receiving a larger windscreen and an air conditioning box along with the D symbol added to the end of the locomotive number to indicate driver only operation.

Some have been exported, although the majority as at January 2014 remain in service.^[4] Unit 1741 was acquired for preservation by the Queensland Diesel Restoration Group in October 2016.^[5]

Gallery

• 
  Clyde Engineering builder's plate on 1740
• 
  1732 near Bogantungan in September 1989
• 
  1738 in Rockhampton
• 
  1723 in Bicentennial livery at Yeerongpilly in 1987
• 
  1740 crossing the Styx River in 1991
• 
  Kuranda Scenic Railway 1774 in December 2007
• 
  Kuranda Scenic Railway 1734 in January 2009
• 
  Kuranda Scenic Railway 1774 in April 2012