The F class were a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Midland Railway of Western Australia in 1958. They were later sold to the Western Australian Government Railways.

Midland Railway of Western Australia F class
F45 at Picton Yard in March 1986
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder English Electric, Rocklea Build date 1958 Total produced 7
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR A1A-A1A  • UIC (A1A)(A1A) Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Wheel diameter 3 ft 1+1⁄2 in (0.953 m) Minimum curve 330 ft (100.584 m) Wheelbase 34 ft (10.363 m) total, 11 ft 6 in (3.505 m) bogie Length 42 ft (12.802 m) over headstocks Width 8 ft 10+1⁄2 in (2.705 m) Height 13 ft 7 in (4.140 m) Axle load 10.7 long tons (10.9 t; 12.0 short tons) Loco weight 63 long tons (64.0 t; 70.6 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 500 imp gal (2,300 L) Lubricant cap. 90 imp gal (410 L) Coolant cap. 88 imp gal (400 L) Prime mover English Electric 6SRKT Mk II RPM range 450–850 rpm Engine type Four-stroke diesel, four valves per cylinder Aspiration Turbocharged Generator English Electric 827/4C Traction motors English Electric 525/9A Cylinders 6 Inline Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm) MU working 110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle Loco brake Air Train brakes Vacuum
Performance figures Maximum speed 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) Power output 750 hp (560 kW) gross, 685 hp (510 kW) net Tractive effort 22,400 lbf (99.6 kN) at 9.6 mph (20 km/h)
Career Operators Midland Railway of Western Australia Number in class 7 Numbers F40-F46 Delivered May 1958 Preserved F40, F41, F43, F44 Disposition 4 preserved, 3 scrapped

History

The F class was based upon the South Australian Railways 800 class. The seven members of the class entered service with the Midland Railway of Western Australia in 1958, and, together with the rest of the company's assets and operations, were taken over by the Western Australian Government Railways in 1964.[1][2][3][4]

The first (F42) was withdrawn in November 1984.[5]

Hotham Valley Railway have preserved F40 and F44[6][7] while Rail Heritage WA have F43. F41 is also on display at Moora.

References

• Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp. 33, 48. OCLC 219836193.
• Gunzburg, Adrian (1989). The Midland Railway Company Locomotives of Western Australia. Melbourne: Light Railway Research Society of Australia. pp. 40–44, 49. ISBN 0909340277.
• Milne, Rod (1998). Westrail's English Electric Experience (The English Electric locomotives of the WAGR). Elizabeth, SA: Railmac Publications. ISBN 0958650098.

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