WAGR R class (diesel)
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The R class are a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Western Australian Government Railways between 1968 and 1972.
History
In 1968 the Western Australian Government Railways took delivery of five narrow gauge versions of the K class for use on bauxite traffic, the last three were fitted with 6 tonnes (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons) of ballast to improve their tractive effort. All were fitted with dynamic brakes. A further 11 were ordered, but without dynamic brakes. These were classified as the RA class. A further two RAs were financed by the Lefroy Salt Company for use over a 13-kilometre (8.1 mi) off the Esperance line.[1][2][3][4]
In 1974 the RA1914, RA1917 and RA1918 were fitted with standard gauge bogies and renumbered KA211-KA213.[1][5] Most have been scrapped with one owned by Greentrains remaining in service in Perth. Former RA1918 has been preserved by Rail Heritage WA.[6]
References
- ^ a b Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 260. ISBN 0 730100 05 7.
- ^ Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 351–352. ISBN 9781921719011.
- ^ R Class (WA, diesel) Railpage
- ^ RA Class (WA, diesel) Railpage
- ^ KA Class (WA, diesel) Railpage
- ^ Diesel Locomotives Rail Heritage WA
- Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp. 35, 48. OCLC 219836193.
- 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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