New South Wales 45 (later 71) class locomotive
| New South Wales 4501 (later 7100) | |
|---|---|
standard gauge | |
| Wheel diameter | 48 in (1,219 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 41 ft (12.5 m) |
| Length | Over headstocks: 52 ft 2 in (15.90 m), Over coupler pulling faces: 55 ft 4 in (16.87 m) |
| Width | 9 ft 7 in (2,921 mm) |
| Height | Over stowed pantograph: 14 ft 6 in (4,420 mm) |
| Axle load | 18 long tons 0 cwt (40,300 lb or 18.3 t) |
| Loco weight | 108 long tons 0 cwt (241,900 lb or 109.7 t) |
| Sandbox cap. | 17.6 cu ft (0.50 m3) |
| Electric system/s | 1,500 V DC Catenary |
| Current pickup(s) | Two pantographs |
| Traction motors | 6 × Metropolitan-Vickers 179 |
| Performance figures | |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 70 mph (113 km/h) |
| Power output | One hour: 2,700 hp (2,013 kW) |
| Tractive effort | Continuous: 28,000 lbf (124.55 kN) |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Operators | NSW Department of Railways |
| Number in class | 1 |
| Numbers | 4501, 7100 from October 1961 |
| Nicknames | Green Beetle |
| First run | 21 July 1952 |
| Withdrawn | June 1974 |
| Disposition | 1 preserved |
The 45 class (later the 71 class) was a class of mainline electric locomotive built in-house in 1952 by the New South Wales Department of Railways' Chullora Railway Workshops. With only a single locomotive in the class, 4501 was renumbered 7100 in October 1961, which freed up the number range for the 45-class diesel locomotives.
Construction
The sole member of the class was designed by the New South Wales Department of Railways and was built at their Chullora Railway Workshops using components supplied by Commonwealth Engineering. It was completed in June 1952 and numbered 4501.[1]
Operation
4501 had a one-hour power rating of 2,700 horsepower (2,000 kW) with a total weight of 108 long tons (110 t). Its maximum speed was 70 miles per hour (110 km/h) It had a driving compartment at each end of its very box-shaped body. Its colour scheme being bottle green, with chrome lining, it became affectionately known as the Green Beetle.
Its purpose was to provide experience of operating powerful electric locomotives prior to the arrival of the
In 1957, it was transferred to the Flemington Maintenance Depot where it was employed as a shunter. At the time, Flemington was the base for all locomotive hauled air-conditioned carriages.
In October 1961, it was re-numbered 7100. In October 1967, it received a major overhaul where several tonnes of additional ballast was added. Main-line safeworking equipment was provided to allow it to haul coal trains over the newly electrified
Demise
Failures dogged the veteran locomotive and it was withdrawn in June 1974. Following an extended period of storage, it was placed at the
References
- ^ A Century Plus of Locomotives. Australian Railway Historical Society, New South Wales Division. 1965.
- ^ "20 Years Ago" Railway Digest August 1987 page 259
- ISBN 978-1-877058-54-7
- ^ "Locomotive, Electric 7100". New South Wales Department of Environment & Heritage.
Further reading
- New South Wales Rail System Locomotives. Sydney: Archives Section, State Rail Authority of New South Wales. 1984.