Tasmanian Government Railways Za class

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Tasmanian Government Railways ZA class
Tgr za bell bay.jpg
ZA class locomotive at Bell Bay in February 1978
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
Builder English Electric, Rocklea
Serial numberA.259 to A.262, A.278 to A.279
Build date1973-1976
Total produced6
Specifications
Configuration:
   UIC Co-Co
Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter3 ft 1+12 in (0.953 m)
Wheelbase 39 ft 11 in (12.167 m) total, 11 ft 3 in (3.429 m) bogie
Length52 ft 9 in (16.078 m) over headstocks
Height12 ft 7 in (3.835 m)
Axle load 16 long tons (16.3 t; 17.9 short tons)
Loco weight96 long tons (97.5 t; 107.5 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity1,400 imp gal (6,400 L)
Prime mover English Electric 12CSVT Mk III
Engine typeFour stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspiration Turbocharged, intercooled
Alternator Toyo WD10314A
Traction motors EE558
Cylinders 12 Vee
Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm)
MU working 110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Loco brake Air, proportional control, dynamic
Train brakes Vacuum, converted to air 1982-1985) Westinghouse M6A then M9A
Performance figures
Maximum speed60 miles per hour (97 km/h)
Power output2,550 hp (1,900 kW) gross, 2,350 hp (1,750 kW) net
Tractive effort 54,000 lbf (240.2 kN) at 13.3 mph (20 km/h)
Career
Operators Tasmanian Government Railways
AN Tasrail
TasRail
Number in class6
NumbersZa1-Za6
DeliveredZa 1 to Za 4: July 1973, Za 5 & Za 6: 1976
First run10 July 1973
WithdrawnMay 2014
Preserved2
Current owner TasRail
Don River Railway
Tasmanian Transport Museum
Disposition1 stored, 2 preserved, 3 scrapped

The Tasmanian Government Railways Za class is a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for the Tasmanian Government Railways in 1973.

Contents

History

With the construction of a new line from Launceston to Bell Bay, Tasmanian Government Railways placed an order for four 1752 kW locomotives with English Electric. The first four were delivered in 1973. [1] A further two were delivered in 1976, ZA 6 being the final locomotive built by GEC Australia and the last English Electric locomotive built anywhere. [2] [3] The 1976 locomotives differed from the earlier batch in having a rounded cab roof, similar to the Z class, instead of an angled roof like the 2350 class from which they were derived. [4]

In March 1978 the Za class were included in the transfer of the Tasmanian Government Railways to Australian National. From 1982 all had their vacuum brakes replaced with air brakes. [5]

In 1988, ZA6 was painted into a modified version of the AN green and gold scheme, with a Tasmanian state flag on the ends of the locomotive where the AN logo usually sat, and the logo for the Bicentenary celebrations on the long hood, to celebrate the Australian Bicentenary. In 1996, it was repainted into the then-standard reverse yellow and green scheme, however it retained the bicentennial modifications.

In June 1998 the five in service were renumbered as the 2114 class, ZA4 having been withdrawn. [6]

In May 2014, 2114 joined 2115 and 2118 in storage after the new TR class entered service. 2118 (ZA6) was held for preservation with 2115 (ZA2) retained as a parts donor.

In January 2021, the Tasmanian Transport Museum announced it had secured ZA6, moving it by road the following month. [7] [8]

Za1 was delivered to Don River Railway for preservation on 23 May 2022.

Status table

Original noLast noOwnersLiveryStatus
Za12114 - 2114 will be renumbered to ZA 1 on repaint Don River Railway AN/Tasrail reverse yellow and green (to be repainted in ANR tiger stripe)Preserved Operational
Za22115TasRailAN/Tasrail reverse yellow and greenStored
Za32116TasRailAN/Tasrail reverse yellow and greenScrapped
Za4Za4 AN Tasrail AN/Tasrail green and yellowScrapped
Za52117TasRailAN/Tasrail reverse yellow and greenScrapped
Za62118Tasmanian Transport MuseumAN/Tasrail reverse yellow and green (to be repainted into bicentennial AN/Tasrail green and yellow)Preserved

References

  1. The ZA Locomotive T'Rails July 1973 page 1
  2. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. pp. 285–286. ISBN   0-730100-05-7.
  3. World's final English Electric locomotive now in safe hands Heritage Railway issue 278 19 March 2021 pages 36/37
  4. Tasmanian Railways: 150 years in the making - Part 2 Australian Railway History issue 1014 August 2032 pages 13/14
  5. Za Class Archived 4 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine Rail Tasmania
  6. Tasrail Loco Renumbering Railway Digest October 1998 page 36
  7. ZA6 takes the Midland Highway Railway Digest February 2021 page 42
  8. Tasmania's final home for last built EE diesel The Railway Magazine issue 1446 September 2021 page 110

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