South Australian Railways 700 class (diesel)

South Australian Railways 700 class
704 at Tanunda in March 2007
hideType and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder AE Goodwin, Auburn Serial number Alco G-6042-01 to G-6042-03 Alco G-6059-01 to G-6059-03 Model Alco DL 500G Build date 1971-1972 Total produced 6
hideSpecifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Wheel diameter 1,020 mm (3 ft 4 in) Length Over coupler pulling faces: 18.67 m (61 ft 3 in) Axle load 18.6 t (18.31 long tons; 20.50 short tons) Loco weight 111.6 t (109.84 long tons; 123.02 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 5,455 L (1,200 imp gal; 1,441 US gal) Prime mover Alco 251C Engine type Four-stroke V12 diesel Aspiration Turbocharged Cylinders 12 Cylinder size 9 in × 10.5 in (229 mm × 267 mm)
hidePerformance figures Maximum speed 112 km/h (70 mph) Power output Gross: 1,490 kW (2,000 hp), Tractive effort Continuous: 311.00 kN (69,916 lbf) at 11 km/h (6.8 mph), Starting: 389.00 kN (87,451 lbf)
hideCareer Operators South Australian Railways Number in class 6 Numbers 700-705 (now 701-706) First run 22 June 1971 Current owner Genesee & Wyoming Disposition 5 stored, 1 scrapped

The 700 class are a class of diesel locomotives built by AE Goodwin, Auburn for the South Australian Railways in 1971-1972. They are identical to the New South Wales 442 class locomotive.

History[]

A total of six 700 class locomotives were built for the South Australian Railways by AE Goodwin, Auburn and are an Alco DL500g model. They were built in 1971–1972, with the first three delivered on broad gauge bogies and the last three on standard gauge bogies. In March 1978 all were included in the transfer of the South Australian Railways to Australian National. Over the years the locomotives frequently switched gauges before all were put on the broad gauge in 1987. Following the Adelaide-Melbourne railway line being converted to standard gauge in 1995, all of the 700 class were converted to standard gauge.^[1] The 700 class operated on all main lines in South Australia as well as interstate to Broken Hill and Melbourne.

In 1986, a new computer system required the class leaders of the former South Australian Railways to be renumbered as the last member of the class, with 700 becoming 706.^[2]

In 1997, the remaining five (after 702 had been damaged by fire) were included in the sale of Australian National to Australian Southern Railroad.

As of 2016 all locomotives were stored: 701, 703 and 704 serviceable; 705 and 706 unserviceable; 702 had been scrapped.^{[3][4][5][6][needs update]}

References[]