Westrail DB class

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Westrail DB Class
DB1588 at Forrestfield Yard in April 1986.
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderClyde Engineering, Rosewater
Serial number81-989 to 81-998
82-1122 to 82-1124
ModelEMD G26CU-2
Build date1982-1983
Total produced13
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • AARC-C
 • UICCo-Co
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
BogiesClyde Hi-Ad
Wheel diameter1,016 mm (40.0 in)
Length18.01 m (59 ft 1.06 in)
Width2.85 m (9 ft 4.20 in)
Height3.95 m (12 ft 11.51 in)
Axle load18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons)
Loco weight110 t (110 long tons; 120 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity6,000 L (1,320 imp gal; 1,585 US gal)
Lubricant cap.757 L (167 imp gal; 200 US gal)
Coolant cap.795 L (175 imp gal; 210 US gal)
Prime moverEMD 16-645E
RPM range255-900
Engine typeDiesel
AspirationRoots Blown
AlternatorEMD AR6-G
Traction motorsEMD D29 (6 of)
CylindersV16
Train brakesAir & Vacuum
Performance figures
Power output
  • 1,715 kW (2,300 hp)
Tractive effort
  • 322 kN (72,000 lbf) (starting)
  • 269 kN (60,000 lbf) (continuous)
Career
OperatorsAurizon, Watco Australia
Number in class13
Numbers
  • DB1581–DB1593/
  • DBZ2301–DBZ2313
LocaleWestern Australia
First run27th April, 1982
Current ownerAurizon, Watco Australia
Disposition2 in service, 11 stored

The Westrail DB Class is a class of diesel-electric locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Rosewater, for Westrail in 1982-1983.

History[edit]

DBZ2309 at the Port of Albany with a woodchip train, 2017

In 1980, Westrail ordered ten DB Class locomotives from Clyde Engineering, Rosewater. Designated as the EMD G26CU-2, they were an evolution of the D and DA Classes. The original order was extended to thirteen in October 1980.[1] The class were fitted with a full width cab, dual braking (air and vacuum) systems, a pressurised body to exclude dust and were the first Westrail locomotives to have air-conditioned cabs.[2]

They were not owned by Westrail, but leverage leased from LVL Nominees, entering service between April 1982 and May 1983. All were named after cities and shires in South West Western Australia.[3] Brass nameplates were originally fitted, but these were later replaced by painted names.[2]

All were included in the sale of Westrail to Australian Railroad Group in December 2000, the State Government having bought out the leases shortly before. As part of a policy to drop letter classifications in favour of a numeric system based on horsepower, they became the 2300 Class. In May 2003, 2313 was transferred to Australian Southern Railroad's Whyalla operation, it returned in August 2006.[1][2]

In June 2006, all were included in the sale of Australian Railroad Group's Western Australian operation to QR National. Between 2006 and 2012, all were equipped with ZTR engine control equipment. A change in policy saw letter classifications reintroduced, with the class again becoming the DB Class. Upon being fitted with ZTR equipment, they were reclassified as DBZs.[1][2]

All remained in service at the beginning of 2013, however 12 months later this was down to five with the last two withdrawn in March 2014. By June 2014, seven had returned to service.[2]

In December 2017, CBH Group purchased 10 units from Aurizon (DBZ2301-2308, 2312-2313) for use on their wheat train services, operated by Watco Australia at the time. These units were transferred to Beverley for further storage pending reactivation. By July 2019, three units, DBZ2301, 2302 and 2305, had entered service with their new owners.

In 2023, all CBH owned locomotives were stored pending shipping to South Africa before the sale fell through just two days before they were due to leave. One year later, Watco had purchased the units from CBH and have transferred them from Beverley to the Wheatbelt Heritage Rail Centre in Minnivale.[4]

Class list[edit]

Key: In Service Withdrawn Unknown
Serial Number Entered Service Original Road Number Renumbered As Name Current/Last Owner Status Notes
81-989 Tuesday, 27th April, 1982 DB1581 DBZ2301 City of Bunbury Watco Australia In Service -
81-990 May 1982 DB1582 DBZ2302 Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale Watco Australia Stored (Minnivale) -
81-991 June 1982 DB1583 DBZ2303 Shire of Murray Watco Australia Stored (Minnivale) -
81-992 July 1982 DB1584 DBZ2304 Shire of Waroona Watco Australia Stored (Minnivale) -
81-993 August 1982 DB1585 DBZ2305 Shire of Harvey Watco Australia Stored (Minnivale) -
81-994 September 1982 DB1586 DBZ2306 Shire of Dardanup Watco Australia Stored (Minnivale) -
81-995 October 1982 DB1587 DBZ2307 Shire of Capel Watco Australia Stored (Minnivale) -
81-996 November 1982 DB1588 DBZ2308 Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup Watco Australia Stored (Minnivale) -
81-997 December 1982 DB1589 DBZ2309 Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes Aurizon In Service -
81-998 February 1983 DB1590 DBZ2310 Shire of Collie Aurizon Stored (Forrestfield) Swapped names with DBZ2311 during overhaul.
82-1122 March 1983 DB1591 DBZ2311 Shire of Manjimup Aurizon Swapped names with DBZ2310 during overhaul.
82-1123 May 1983 DB1592 DBZ2312 Shire of Toodyay Watco Australia Stored (Minnivale) -
82-1124 May 1983 DB1593 DBZ2313 Shire of Northam/Iron Duke/Shire of Dowerin Watco Australia Stored (Minnivale) Transferred to Australian Southern Railroad, Whyalla in May 2003 and renamed "Iron Duke". Returned to Western Australia in August 2006 and renamed "Shire of Dowerin".

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Loco Brief: DB/2300". Australian Railways Illustrated (9): 27. August 2011. ISSN 1837-915X.
  2. ^ a b c d e "The Westrail DB Class" Motive Power issue 94 July 2014 pages 29-41
  3. ^ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 299. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
  4. ^ "DBZ2301 DBZ2313 DBZ2305 AB1535 2WL2 Muresk". 5 February 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

External links[edit]

Media related to WAGR DB class at Wikimedia Commons

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