Queensland Railways 1250 class

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Queensland Railways 1250 class
1262 Workshops Rail Museum.JPG
Cutaway 1262 at the Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich in October 2011
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
Builder English Electric, Rocklea
Build date1959–1963
Total produced17
Specifications
Configuration:
  Commonwealth Co-Co
Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter3 ft 1+12 in (0.953 m)
Wheelbase 40 ft 6 in (12.344 m) total, 12 ft 6 in (3.810 m) bogie
Length49 ft 6 in (15.088 m) over headstocks
Width9 ft 2 in (2.794 m)
Axle load 15 long tons (15.2 t; 16.8 short tons)
Loco weight90 long tons (91.4 t; 100.8 short tons)
Fuel type Diesel
Fuel capacity750 imp gal (3,400 L)
Prime mover English Electric 12SVT mark 2
RPM range400–850 rpm
Engine typefour stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspirationturbocharged
Generator English Electric English Electric 822
Traction motors English Electric English Electric 525
Cylinders 12 vee
Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm)
Transmissionelectric
MU working 110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle (1255-1266 only fitted)
Loco brake Air
Train brakes Air
Performance figures
Maximum speed50 miles per hour (80 km/h)
Power output1,395 hp (1,040 kW) gross, 1,240 hp (920 kW) net (1250-1254)
1,540 hp (1,150 kW) gross, 1,390 hp (1,040 kW) net (1255-1266)
Tractive effort 40,200 lbf (178.8 kN) at 9.4 mph (20 km/h)(1250-1254)
46,500 lbf (206.8 kN) at 9.4 mph (20 km/h) (1255-1266)
Career
Operators Queensland Railways
Number in class17
Numbers1250-1266
First run23 July 1959
Last run24 November 1987
Preserved1262, 1263
Disposition2 preserved, 15 scrapped

The 1250 class were a class of diesel locomotive built by English Electric, Rocklea for Queensland Railways between 1959 and 1963.

Contents

History

1251 in Gympie yard hauling a northbound freight train including a new 3100 class locomotive being delivered to Gladstone in 1987 Dia 0182.jpg
1251 in Gympie yard hauling a northbound freight train including a new 3100 class locomotive being delivered to Gladstone in 1987

The design of the 1250 class was unusual being a cab unit with a cab similar to the 1200 class but with a narrow long hood. [1] They were based on a design built for use in Brazil five years prior. A derivative was also built for Rhodesia Railways in 1962.

The first five units had a 1,035 kW (1,390 hp) engine and screw couplers.

The subsequent units fitted with a 1,145 kW (1,540 hp) engine, auto couplers and were wired for multiple unit operation.

They were used on ore traffic on the Great Northern line, and on general freight on the North Coast and Southern lines. [1] [2] [3] A characteristic addition to the 1250 class in 1961 was a sun visor to help reduce glare.

Withdrawal & disposal

Two were withdrawn in the early 1980s, donating parts to the rebuild of the single 1225 class locomotive. The remainder were withdrawn in 1987. Two units have been preserved: [1] [4]

Status table

NumberSerial
number
In serviceWithdrawnScrappedNotes
1250A.02522 July 195920 March 1987December 1989
1251A.02627 August 195916 November 1987December 1989
1252A.02721 September 195912 October 1980September 1985
1253A.0284 November 195924 September 1987December 1989
1254A.02930 December 19593 November 1987December 1989
1255A.0434 September 19606 November 1987December 1990
1256A.0444 November 19606 November 1987December 1990
1257A.04524 November 196024 November 1987December 1990
1258A.04615 December 19605 November 1987December 1990
1259A.04727 January 196111 September 1987December 1989
1260A.04826 September 196116 November 1987December 1990
1261A.04926 September 196116 November 1987December 1990
1262A.05027 October 19613 November 1987Preserved, Queensland Rail Heritage Division, Workshops Rail Museum
1263A.05122 November 196116 November 1987Preserved, Australian Railway Historical Society
1264A.05218 April 196220 November 1987December 1990
1265A.07425 July 196321 September 1987December 1989
1266A.07531 July 19637 October 1987December 1989

References

  1. 1 2 3 Electric 1250 Class [ permanent dead link ] Queensland's Railway Interest Group
  2. Oberg, Leon (2007). Locomotives of Australia: 1850s-2007. Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 306–307. ISBN   978-1877058547.
  3. 1250 & 1270 Class Queensland's Great Trains
  4. Diesel Locomotives Association of Tourist Railways Queensland 13 March 2011