The 1200 class were a class of diesel locomotive built by English Electric, Bradford for Queensland Railways in 1953–1954.

Queensland Railways 1200 class
1225 at Redbank Railway Workshops in August 2005
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder English Electric, Bradford Build date 1953–1954 Total produced 10
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Commonwealth Co-Co Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Wheel diameter 3 ft (0.914 m) Wheelbase 45 ft (13.716 m) total, 12 ft 6 in (3.810 m) bogie Length 54 ft 10 in (16.713 m) over couplers Width 9 ft 3 in (2.819 m) Height 12 ft 5 in (3.785 m) Axle load 14.7 long tons (14.9 t; 16.5 short tons) Loco weight 88 t (87 long tons; 97 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 750 imp gal (3,400 L) Prime mover English Electric 12SVT Mk II RPM range 450–850rpm Engine type four stroke, four valves per cylinder Aspiration turbocharged Generator EE828 Traction motors Six EE525 Cylinders 12 Vee Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm) Loco brake Air Train brakes Air
Performance figures Maximum speed 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) Power output 1,290 hp (960 kW) gross, 1,100 hp (820 kW) net Tractive effort 30,000 lbf (133.4 kN) at 12 mph (20 km/h)
Career Operators Queensland Railways Number in class 10 Numbers 1200–1209 Delivered July 1953 Last run 10 February 1984 Preserved 1200, 1208 Disposition 2 preserved, 8 scrapped

History

The 1200 class were rostered to haul The Sunlander between Brisbane and Cairns, The Westlander between Brisbane and Roma and The Inlander from Townsville to Mount Isa.[1]

A characteristic addition to the 1200s in 1961 was a sun visor to help reduce glare. As they became due for heavy overhauls in the late 1970s, they were withdrawn.[1]

1200 has been preserved by the Australian Railway Historical Society, and is currently stored at Redbank Railway Workshops.[2][3][4]

1225 class

In 1984, 1208 was rebuilt using parts from 1250 class locomotives 1252 and 1253, including a more powerful 1,145 kW (1,540 hp) engine to replace the original 962 kW (1,290 hp) EE 12SVT engine, while the body was modified to resemble a 1250 class. It earned the nickname "Hybrid" after this work and was renumbered 1225. It remained in service until 1987, based at Toowoomba working mainly on the Southern line. The loco is now privately owned and is currently stored at Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway (QPSR) at Swanbank Queensland since it was moved there in mid-2010. QPSR now want it out of their premises so now its future is uncertain.[2][4][5]

Status table

References