Queensland Railways 1250 class

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

Queensland Railways 1250 class
Cutaway 1262 at the Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich in October 2011
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric, Rocklea
Build date1959–1963
Total produced17
Specifications
Configuration:
 • CommonwealthCo-Co
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter3 ft 1+12 in (0.953 m)
Wheelbase40 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 load15 long tons (15.2 t; 16.8 short tons)
Loco weight90 long tons (91.4 t; 100.8 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity750 imp gal (3,400 L)
Prime moverEnglish Electric 12SVT mark 2
RPM range400–850 rpm
Engine typefour stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspirationturbocharged
GeneratorEnglish Electric English Electric 822
Traction motorsEnglish Electric English Electric 525
Cylinders12 vee
Cylinder size10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm)
Transmissionelectric
MU working110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle (1255-1266 only fitted)
Loco brakeair
Train brakesair
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 effort40,200 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
OperatorsQueensland Railways
Number in class17
Numbers1250-1266
First run23 July 1959
Last run24 November 1987
Preserved1262, 1263
Disposition2 preserved, 15 scrapped

History

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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.

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

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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

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Number Serial
number
In service Withdrawn Scrapped Notes
1250 A.025 22 July 1959 20 March 1987 December 1989
1251 A.026 27 August 1959 16 November 1987 December 1989
1252 A.027 21 September 1959 12 October 1980 September 1985
1253 A.028 4 November 1959 24 September 1987 December 1989
1254 A.029 30 December 1959 3 November 1987 December 1989
1255 A.043 4 September 1960 6 November 1987 December 1990
1256 A.044 4 November 1960 6 November 1987 December 1990
1257 A.045 24 November 1960 24 November 1987 December 1990
1258 A.046 15 December 1960 5 November 1987 December 1990
1259 A.047 27 January 1961 11 September 1987 December 1989
1260 A.048 26 September 1961 16 November 1987 December 1990
1261 A.049 26 September 1961 16 November 1987 December 1990
1262 A.050 27 October 1961 3 November 1987 Preserved, Queensland Rail Heritage Division, Workshops Rail Museum
1263 A.051 22 November 1961 16 November 1987 Preserved, Australian Railway Historical Society
1264 A.052 18 April 1962 20 November 1987 December 1990
1265 A.074 25 July 1963 21 September 1987 December 1989
1266 A.075 31 July 1963 7 October 1987 December 1989

References

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  1. ^ a b c Electric 1250 Class 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