WAGR H class (diesel)

The H class are a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Western Australian Government Railways in 1964–1965.

Western Australian Government Railways H class
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder English Electric, Rocklea Serial number A.081-A.082, A.085-A.087 Build date 1964–1965 Total produced 5
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR B-B  • UIC Bo-Bo, Bo′Bo' Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Wheel diameter 3 ft 4 in (1,016 mm) Minimum curve 264 ft (80.467 m) Wheelbase 31 ft 3 in (9.525 m) total, 7 ft 9 in (2.362 m) bogie Length 45 ft 4 in (13.818 m) over couplers Width 9 ft 6 in (2,896 mm) Height 13 ft 8 in (4,166 mm) Axle load 18 long tons (18.3 tonnes; 20.2 short tons) Loco weight 71.3 long tons (72.4 tonnes; 79.9 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 1,000 imp gal (4,500 L; 1,200 US gal) Prime mover EE 6CSRKT mark 2 RPM range 850rpm max Engine type 6 inline Diesel four stroke, four valves per cylinder Aspiration Turbocharged, intercooled Generator EE 819/8F Traction motors EE 538 Cylinders 6 Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm) Transmission electric MU working 110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle Loco brake Air, dynamic brake Train brakes air
Performance figures Maximum speed 65 miles per hour (105 km/h) Power output 950 hp (710 kW) gross, 860 hp (640 kW) net Tractive effort 37,700 lbf (167.7 kN) at 6.5 mph (10 km/h)
Career Operators Western Australian Government Railways Number in class 5 Numbers H1-H5 First run 1965 Current owner SCT Logistics Disposition 3 in service, 1 stored, 1 scrapped

History

To assist with the conversion of the 657-kilometre (408 mi) Eastern Goldfields Railway from Perth to Kalgoorlie to standard gauge, five locomotives were purchased from built English Electric. After being shipped by sea from Rocklea, they were hauled on narrow gauge to Upper Swan with the first entering service in January 1965.^[1]

After the completion of the gauge conversion project they began to haul local freight and infrastructure trains. In October 1992, H4 was scrapped with the other used as shunters at Forrestfield until withdrawn in 1996. All were sold in 1997 to SCT Logistics for use as shunters at Dynon, Islington and Kewdale.^[2][3][4][5]

Class List

Key:	In Service	Withdrawn	Preserved	Scrapped

Serial number	Entered Service	Road Number	Current/Last Owner	Status
A.081	March, 1965	H1	SCT Logistics	Stored, Melbourne
A.082	May, 1965	H2	SCT Logistics	Stored, Forrestfield
A.085	January, 1966	H3	SCT Logistics	Stored, Forrestfield
A.086	February, 1966	H4	Westrail	Scrapped (October, 1992)
A.087	January, 1966	H5	SCT Logistics	Stored, Forrestfield