TasRail QR class

The QR class were a class of diesel locomotives in New Zealand and Tasmania. Originally built by Clyde Engineering between 1965 and 1966 as Queensland Rail's 1460 class locomotives. They were purchased by Tranz Rail in 1995 to be rebuilt, as a cheaper alternative to buying new locomotives. Seven were modified into the QR class. Three were leased to AN Tasrail for one year, but the locos were later sold in 2001.[1][2] All three have since been scrapped.[3][4]

QR class
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm Model EMD G22C Build date 1965–1966 Rebuilder Hutt Workshops Rebuild date 1997–1999 Number rebuilt 6
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co-Co Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Wheelbase 13.55 m (44 ft 5 in) between bogies 2.58 m (8 ft 6 in) between axles in each bogie Length 15.04 m (49 ft 4 in) Loco weight 91.4 tonnes (90.0 long tons; 100.8 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 4,090 litres (900 imp gal; 1,080 US gal) Prime mover EMD 12-567C Engine type V12 2-stroke diesel Generator EMD D25 or D32T Traction motors EMD D29 Cylinders 12 Loco brake Hand brakes/Westinghouse 26L air brake Train brakes Westinghouse 26L air brake
Performance figures Maximum speed 80 km/h (50 mph) Power output 980 kW (1,310 hp) Tractive effort 1,065 kW (1,428 hp)
Career Operators AN Tasrail Pacific National TasRail Number in class 3 Numbers 2056–2062, 2102 Delivered December 1998 First run January 1999 Last run 2009 Retired 2009 Withdrawn 1999–2009 Scrapped 2012 Disposition All scrapped

Introduction and service

Following the rebuilding of the DQ and QR class locomotives at Tranz Rails Hutt Workshops, Tranz Rail sold three QRs accompanied the second batch of DQ class locomotives due to a locomotive shortage due to the planned replacement of Tasrails English Electric locomotive fleet. The locos left the Port of Wellington on 8 December 1998 on the Arktis Dream, and arrived in Bell Bay on 15 December 1998.[1] They were still painted in the Cato Blue livery, still with Tranz Rails winged logo still painted on.[1] The logo was later modified with "Tranz Rail" being replaced by "Tasrail".[5] The locos were used as slave units only (as they were in New Zealand) due to lacking of the radio and other equipment as what are fitted to other lead locomotives.[4] The locomotives were also occasionally used for yard shunts.[4]

Withdrawal and disposal

As of April 2017, all three locomotives have been scrapped. The three locos never saw much service in the first few years, with 2062 and 2102 being placed into storage within the first year of service,[6] with 2056 following not long after.[4] The three later returned to service. QR 2102 withdrawn after a major engine failure in July 2002.[2][4] 2056 was again withdrawn in August 2005.[2] By 2008, only 2062 remained in service. The loco was generally on the Melba Line, but was occasionally used on the South Line.[4] This loco was withdrawn by November 2009.[2] The locos were all stored at East Tamar Workshops after their withdrawals. The locos were then transported to OneSteel's scrap yard in Bell Bay in June 2012, where they were scrapped a couple of months later.[3][4]

See also

• New Zealand DQ and QR class locomotives
• Queensland Railways 1460 class

References

1. "Railfan". 5 (2). Triple M Publications. March 1999. ISSN 1173-2229. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
2. "New Zealand Railway Observer". 70 (4). New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society. October–November 2013. ISSN 0028-8624. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
3. "Diesel Locomotive Fleet Status". RailTasmania.com. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
4. "QR Class". RailTasmania.com. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
5. "Locomotive Colour Schemes". RailTasmania.com. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
6. "Railfan". 6 (1). Triple M Publications. December 1999. ISSN 1173-2229. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)