ALCO DL531

Last updated
Alco DL531
Goulburn railway station 2012-03-18 02.jpg
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
Builder AE Goodwin, Auburn
Build date1959-1970
Total produced212
Specifications
Configuration:
   UIC Co-Co
Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Wheel diameter40 in (1,016 mm)
LengthOver headstocks: 44 ft 3 in (13.49 m)
Over coupler pulling faces: 48 ft 5 in (14.76 m)
Width9 ft 9 in (2.97 m)
Height14 ft 0 in (4.27 m)
Loco weight74 long tons 0 cwt (165,800 lb or 75.2 t)-76 long tons 12 cwt (171,600 lb or 77.8 t)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity500 imp gal (2,300 L; 600 US gal)-700 imp gal (3,200 L; 840 US gal)
Prime mover Alco 6-251B
RPM range375–1025
Engine typeFour-stroke diesel
Aspiration Turbocharged
Generator General Electric 5GT 584
Associated Electrical Industries TG 3602
Traction motors General Electric 761
Associated Electrical Industries 253 CT
Cylinders Inline 6
Career
Operators New South Wales Government Railways
South Australian Railways
Silverton Tramway
Number in class212
Numbers4801-48165
830-873
27-29
First runSeptember 1959
Preserved4801, 4803, 4805, 4807, 4821, 4822, 4833, 866
Current owner Genesee & Wyoming Australia
Graincorp
Greentrains
Junee Railway Workshop
Pacific National
Transport Asset Holding Entity

The Alco DL531, also known as the RSD8 is a model of railway locomotive manufactured and operated in various countries.

A total of 212 were manufactured in Australia between 1959 and 1970 by that country's American Locomotive Company licensee AE Goodwin, Auburn. [1]

The New South Wales Government Railways purchased 165 48 class between 1959 and 1970. They were the largest class of diesel locomotives purchased and operated services on all lines in New South Wales.

The South Australian Railways 830 class were purchased in batches between 1959 and 1970 and operated services throughout South Australia on the narrow, standard and broad gauge lines. In the early 1980s some were transferred to AN Tasrail.

The Silverton Rail purchased three narrow gauge examples for use on the Silverton Tramway line around Broken Hill.

Mass withdrawals began in the 1990s but as at February 2014 about 90 remained in use. [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

DL531s also operated in Brazil, Pakistan and Peru. A Bo-Bo variant, the DL532, operated in Jamaica and South Korea.

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References

  1. Oberg, Leon (2007). Locomotives of Australia 1854-2007. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 308. ISBN   1-877058-54-8.
  2. 48 Class Railpage
  3. 48 Class (Graincorp) Railpage
  4. 48s Class Railpage
  5. 830 Class Railpage
  6. 48 Class Vicsig
  7. Broad, Standard and Narrow Gauge 830-class diesel locomotives Chris' Commonwealth Railways Pages

See also