The J class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville, for the Western Australian Government Railways in 1966.

Western Australian Government Railways J class
Southern Shorthaul Railroad J103 & J102 in Newport in May 2008
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderClyde Engineering, Granville
Serial number66-479 to 66-483
ModelEMD G6B
Build date1966
Total produced5
Specifications
Configuration:
 • AARB-B
 • UICBo′Bo′
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Length13 m (42 ft 8 in)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity2,730 L (600 imp gal; 720 US gal)
Prime moverEMD 6-567C
AlternatorEMD D25C
GeneratorEMD D25/D29
Performance figures
Maximum speed62 km/h (39 mph)
Power output448 kW (601 hp)
Career
OperatorsWestern Australian Government Railways
Number in class5
NumbersJ101–J105
First runJuly 1966
Current ownerAurizon
SCT Logistics
Disposition4 in service, 1 scrapped

History

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The J class entered service between July and October 1966 to provide as shunters for the 657-kilometre (408 mi) Eastern Goldfields Railway from Perth to Kalgoorlie that was being converted to standard gauge. They were a development of the Victorian Railways Y class.[1]

J101 was scrapped in July 1986 with the remaining four sold in 1995 to Great Northern Rail Services and moved to South Dynon Locomotive Depot. They operated freight transfer and infrastructure trains under contract to National Rail. Following the cessation of Great Northern Rail Services in 2004, the 4 units were split up. J102 & J103 were sold to CFCLA and stayed in Melbourne. These 2 units were hired to Southern Shorthaul Railroad for use as terminal shunters and infrastructure workings. J102 & J103 were purchased by SCT Logistics for use as shunters at their various terminals. J104 & J105 were sold to Freightlink, renumbered to FJ104 & FJ105, and moved to the Northern Territory as terminal shunters in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. They were transferred to Genesee & Wyoming Australia following its acquisition of Freightlink.[1][2][3] They would pass onto One Rail Australia and later Aurizon, after that company's acquisition of ORA. 102 and 103 currently bear their former SSR colour scheme, whereas 104 and 105, which are currently stored at Dry Creek, are still painted in Freightlink livery.

References

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  1. ^ a b Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. p. 342. ISBN 9781921719011.
  2. ^ J Class (WAGR) Railpage
  3. ^ J Class Railpage
 
J104 at Forrestfield in March 1986