The S class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Forrestfield for Westrail in 1998.

Westrail S class
S2106 in July 2008
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering, Forrestfield Model Electro Motive Diesel JT42C Build date 1998 Total produced 11
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co-Co, Co′Co′ Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Length 20.8 m (68 ft 3 in) Loco weight 116 long tons (117.9 t; 129.9 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover Electro Motive Diesel 12N-710GB-ES
Performance figures Maximum speed 115 km/h (71 mph) Power output 3,010 hp (2,240 kW) Tractive effort 74,440 lbf (331.1 kN)
Career Operators Westrail Number in class 11 Numbers S3301–S3311 First run 6 March 1998 Current owner Aurizon Disposition 11 in service

History

The S class were the first and only dual-cab locomotives purchased by Westrail. In May 1996 nine were ordered from Clyde Engineering as part of an order that also included 15 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Q class locomotives.[1][2] The order later extended to eleven.[3][4] They are an evolution of the FreightCorp 82 class. All were assembled at a facility established by Clyde Engineering within Westrail's Forrestfield Depot to fulfill the contract. The frames were built at Clyde's Somerton plant with other components manufactured at Kelso.[5]

The S class locomotives entered service in June 1998 hauling ore and mineral trains in South West Western Australia.[6] All were in service by November 1998[7]

All were included in the sale of Westrail to Australian Railroad Group in December 2000, with the class redesignated as the 3300 class.[8] In June 2006, all were included in the sale of Australian Railroad Group's Western Australian operation to QR National.[9]

In 2008, Rio Tinto ordered two standard gauge JT42Cs of the same design as the S class for the Weipa bauxite railway, numbered R1005 and R1006. They were delivered in 2009.[10]

References