TGR Y class
Encyclopedia
The Tasmanian Government Railways
(TGR) built and ran 8 "Y" class diesel electric locomotives.
main-line diesel-electric locomotives
, the TGR were keen to add additional diesel locomotives to their fleet.
A repeat order of 'X' class engines may have been considered but was quickly discarded. After trying several manufacturers, the TGR settled on technology of the English Electric
(EE) company, which had built the 'X' class engines. As a result, the plans EE submitted were quite similar to, and essentially a development of, the 'X' class, but slightly larger and more powerful.
When built, these engines were designated Y Class. Design-wise they are similar to the 'X' class - a long, hood unit
with the cab at one end.
Construction started in the TGR Inveresk workshops in 1961, and three of the planned eight were completed relatively quickly. However, construction of the other five was slow, with the last not being delivered until 1972, by which time the design was obsolete.
diesel engine
(which was also fitted in the 'X' class locomotives), but producing 825 hp at 850 rpm as compared to the 'X' class 660 hp at 750 rpm. They have a Bo-Bo
wheel arrangement and end-platforms, making them visually similar to the older 'X' class engines. It is easy to confuse the two classes from a distance.
Like all TGR rolling stock of the time, they were fitted with hook couplers and vacuum brakes. With a light tractive weight of only 58 tonnes (one tonne heavier than the 'X' class), and a reasonably powerful engine of 825 hp, gaining traction on long uphill grades was found to be difficult. They have a tendency to wheel-slip badly. Nevertheless they were considered successful.
Co- Co diesel-electric locomotives from South Australia
, and some 2000 hp GEC diesels from Queensland
, rapidly making the 'X' and 'Y' class engines obsolete. Nevertheless, throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s all members of the 'Y' class were retrofitted with stronger automatic couplers, which had by then become standard equipment. Some also received air-brakes, but those which retained their vacuum brakes were decommissioned in the late 1980s, coinciding with the eradication of their older 'X' class cousins. Some of these engines made their way into preservation societies.
Tasmanian Government Railways
The Tasmanian Government Railways was the former Government of Tasmania managed operator of mainline railways in Tasmania, Australia...
(TGR) built and ran 8 "Y" class diesel electric locomotives.
History
Following the success of the 1952-vintage TGR X classTGR X class
The Tasmanian Government Railways X Class locomotive was the first class of diesel-electric locomotives to enter main line service on a Government-owned railway in Australia, in Tasmania...
main-line diesel-electric locomotives
Diesel locomotive
A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...
, the TGR were keen to add additional diesel locomotives to their fleet.
A repeat order of 'X' class engines may have been considered but was quickly discarded. After trying several manufacturers, the TGR settled on technology of the English Electric
English Electric
English Electric was a British industrial manufacturer. Founded in 1918, it initially specialised in industrial electric motors and transformers...
(EE) company, which had built the 'X' class engines. As a result, the plans EE submitted were quite similar to, and essentially a development of, the 'X' class, but slightly larger and more powerful.
When built, these engines were designated Y Class. Design-wise they are similar to the 'X' class - a long, hood unit
Hood unit
A hood unit, in railroad terminology, is a body style for diesel and electric locomotives. On a hood unit, the body of the locomotive is less than full-width for most of the locomotive's length, with walkways on the outside of the locomotive. In contrast, a cab unit has a full-width carbody for...
with the cab at one end.
Construction started in the TGR Inveresk workshops in 1961, and three of the planned eight were completed relatively quickly. However, construction of the other five was slow, with the last not being delivered until 1972, by which time the design was obsolete.
Technical details
They are fitted with an EE 6SRKT in-line six turbochargedTurbocharger
A turbocharger, or turbo , from the Greek "τύρβη" is a centrifugal compressor powered by a turbine that is driven by an engine's exhaust gases. Its benefit lies with the compressor increasing the mass of air entering the engine , thereby resulting in greater performance...
diesel engine
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
(which was also fitted in the 'X' class locomotives), but producing 825 hp at 850 rpm as compared to the 'X' class 660 hp at 750 rpm. They have a Bo-Bo
Bo-Bo
A Bo-Bo or Bo′Bo′ is a locomotive with two independent four-wheeled bogies with all axles powered by individual traction motors...
wheel arrangement and end-platforms, making them visually similar to the older 'X' class engines. It is easy to confuse the two classes from a distance.
Like all TGR rolling stock of the time, they were fitted with hook couplers and vacuum brakes. With a light tractive weight of only 58 tonnes (one tonne heavier than the 'X' class), and a reasonably powerful engine of 825 hp, gaining traction on long uphill grades was found to be difficult. They have a tendency to wheel-slip badly. Nevertheless they were considered successful.
Later years
When the TGR was taken over by Australian National (AN) in 1978, the decision was made to import a batch of second-hand Goodwin Alco '830' classSouth Australian Railways 830 class
The 830 class of diesel locomotives were a class of branchline locomotive built by A. E. Goodwin. They had a Co-Co wheelbase and were operated by the South Australian Railways. Most were passed onto Australian National but two were retained by South Australia for the STA but were later sold to...
Co- Co diesel-electric locomotives from South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, and some 2000 hp GEC diesels from Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, rapidly making the 'X' and 'Y' class engines obsolete. Nevertheless, throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s all members of the 'Y' class were retrofitted with stronger automatic couplers, which had by then become standard equipment. Some also received air-brakes, but those which retained their vacuum brakes were decommissioned in the late 1980s, coinciding with the eradication of their older 'X' class cousins. Some of these engines made their way into preservation societies.
Current status
- Y1- 1986 Converted to air brake; Operational as 2150 with PN Tasmania
- Y2- Preserved - Derwent Valley Railway
- Y3- Preserved - Queen Victoria Museum (Launceston Workshops)
- Y4- Preserved - Tasmanian Transportation Museum Hobart
- Y5- Operational as 2151 with PN Tasmania
- Y6- 1991 - hauled last vacuum braked train in Tasmania; Preserved Don River Railway
- Y7- 2001 - Modified by Pacific National to be a driving unit only, after its traction equipment was removed, and reclassified as DV1
- Y8- Preserved - Don River Railway