New South Wales 72 class locomotive

The 72 class was a class of diesel locomotive built by Chullora Railway Workshops for the New South Wales, Australia, Department of Railways in 1965.

New South Wales 72 class
7201 at Port Botany in 1965
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-hydraulic
BuilderChullora Railway Workshops
Serial number9
Build date1965
Total produced1
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICBo-Bo
Gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Wheel diameter37 in (940 mm)
LengthOver coupler pulling faces:
45 ft 2+14 in (13.77 m)
Width9 ft 2 in (2,794 mm)
Height12 ft 7+14 in (3,842 mm)
Loco weight55 long tons 0 cwt (123,200 lb or 55.9 t)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity500 imp gal
(2,300 L; 600 US gal)
Lubricant cap.Engine:
20 imp gal
(91 L; 24 US gal),
Transmission:
40 imp gal
(180 L; 48 US gal),
Final Drives:
6 imp gal
(27 L; 7.2 US gal) each
Coolant cap.180 imp gal
(820 L; 220 US gal)
Sandbox cap.12 cu ft (0.34 m3)
Prime moverCummins VT12-825-BI
RPM range600–2000
Engine typeFour-stroke diesel
AspirationTurbocharged
CylindersV12
Cylinder size5.5 in × 6 in
(140 mm × 152 mm)
TransmissionClark Model 16420 Reversing
Performance figures
Maximum speed45 mph (72 km/h)
Power outputGross:
705 hp (530 kW),
For traction:
640 hp (477 kW)
Tractive effortContinuous:
32,500 lbf (144.57 kN)
at 5 mph (8 km/h)
Career
OperatorsNSW Department of Railways
Number in class1
Numbers7201
First run27 August 1965
Last run2 March 1976
WithdrawnAugust 1976
ScrappedDecember 1976
DispositionScrapped

Construction

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7201 at Eveleigh Railway Workshops in May 1973

Locomotive 7201 was a diesel-hydraulic locomotive, with B-B wheel arrangement. Built in the Department of Railways Water Supply Workshops at Chullora, it performed its first light engine trial on 27 August 1965.[1] It was built on the lengthened underframe of an unused 58 class locomotive tender, but using the bogies from a Standard Goods locomotive[2] turret tender. The cab was similar to that of an X200 class and the livery was similar to a 48 class.

The prime-mover was a Cummins VT 12-825-BI; V12 engine, developing 640 horsepower at 2,000 rpm. Power was distributed to the bogies through a Clark C 16911 torque converter with Clark 16421 transmission.[3]

Operations

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Following some modifications, it entered service on 8 September 1965 as a shunter at Cooks River Goods Yard. Over the next 6 months, it spent time shunting in yards at Goulburn, Junee, Broadmeadow and Werris Creek, and Port waratah. It even had a brief sojourn on the Yass Tramway. During this time, it re-entered the workshops for modifications and repairs. After this initial period, it spent extended periods at the Rozelle yards, however by 1970 it was regularly struggling with the loads. It was then trialed at the ACDEP carriage sheds where it shunted the carriages from air-conditioned trains. It was deemed a success in this duty and remained there until 2 March 1976 when it suffered a seized engine.

Demise

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Being a one-off and therefore non-standard, the decision was made not to repair the locomotive. On 4 August 1976, it was condemned and scrapped in December that year.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "7201 Finally" Railway Digest August 1985 page 243
  2. ^ One of the 50, 53 or 55 classes
  3. ^ Clark, Peter J. An Australian Diesel Locomotive Pocketbook. p. 54. ISBN 0-909650-02-0.
  4. ^ "Photo Gallery – NSWGR's 7201". Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin: 246–248. June 2007.

Further reading

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  • New South Wales Rail System Locomotives. Sydney: Archives Section, State Rail Authority of New South Wales. 1984.