Queensland Railways DH class
| DH class | |
|---|---|
| Power type | Diesel |
| Builder |  Walkers Limited |
| Model | GH500 |
| Build date | 1966-1974 |
| Configuration | B-B |
| Gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Length | 12.65 m (41.5 ft) |
| Locomotive weight | 37 t (82,000 lb) |
| Prime mover | Caterpillar D355E |
| Transmission | Voith L42U2 |
| Top speed | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
| Power output | 347 kW (470 hp) |
| Tractive effort | 114 kN (26,000 lbf) |
| Career | Queensland Rail |
| Class | DH |
| Number in class | 73 |
| Number | DH1 - DH73 |
| Retired | 1994 |
| Preserved | 5 |
The DH class was a diesel-hydraulic locomotive introduced by the Queensland Railways in 1966. They were built by Walkers Limited in Maryborough, Queensland.
Contents |
History [edit]
The DH Class was a successful shunter and short hauler. They were very useful in floods because they could operate through 2 ft (61 cm) of water, 3 times more than diesel-electrics of the time. Their only problem was that they were underpowered, and were replaced by diesel-electrics within twenty years of their introduction.
Other operators [edit]
Following withdrawal, many were sold and regauged.
29 were rebuilt to 2 ft (610 mm) gauge for use at sugar mills around Queensland.
4 were rebuilt to 900 mm (2 ft 11 7⁄16 in) gauge for use on the Yallourn 900mm Railway in Victoria, and subsequently converted to 2 ft (610 mm) gauge for use at sugar mills in Queensland.
13 were exported to Vietnam and 2 to Malaysia for use on 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in) gauge.
Preservation [edit]
DH2 and DH74 are retained by the Queensland Rail Heritage division.
In 1995 DH59 was purchased by the Puffing Billy Railway, which operates in Victoria. It was re-gauged to 2 ft 6 in (762 mm), reclassified as DH31, and is used as a replacement for steam locomotives on days of total fire ban. The Puffing Billy Railway also operate former QR DH locomotive DH05/CC02 as DH5, which partners DH31 on days of total fire ban and when steam power is unavailable.
In 2010 the Walhalla Goldfields Railway in Victoria purchased DH37. The locomotive is stored on a section of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) track in the Walhalla yard, awaiting re-gauging to the Walhalla Railway's 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) gauge. In June 2012, DH72 the Walhalla Goldfields Railway also bought DH72, which will also be stored until funds are available to re-gauge it to 2 ft 6 in (762 mm).[1]
References [edit]
- ^ "DH72 heading south to join DH37 in Walhalla". Railpage Australia. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
External links [edit]
- "Walkers/Caterpillar DH Class" at Queensland's Railways Interest Group retrieved January 6th 2012.
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