WAGR Dm class

The WAGR Dm class was a class of 4-6-4T tank locomotive operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1945 and 1971.

WAGR Dm class
Dm314 in as new condition, 1945
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderMidland Railway Workshops
Build date1945
Total produced8
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte4-6-4T
Gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Driver dia.4 ft 6 in (1,372 mm)
Length43 ft 3 in (13.18 m)
Loco weight71 long tons 9 cwt (160,000 lb or 72.6 t)
Fuel typeCoal
Water cap1,820 imp gal (8,300 l; 2,190 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Firegrate area		18.6 sq ft (1.73 m2)
Boiler pressure160 lbf/in2 (1.10 MPa)
Cylinder size18 in × 23 in (457 mm × 584 mm)
Performance figures
Tractive effort18,768 lbf (83.48 kN)
Factor of adh.4.7
Career
OperatorsWestern Australian Government Railways
NumbersDm581-Dm588
Dispositionall scrapped

Background

World War II was a major setback for Western Australia's railway system. The need to move large numbers of troops and material had taken its toll on the ability of the railways to continue the construction of much needed motive power. During the war years only 13 new locomotives were built, three S class and 10 Australian Standard Garratts. By 1944, approximately a quarter of the WAGR's locomotive fleet was out of action pending maintenance. Much of it was over forty years old.[1]

History

The Dm class was based on the earlier D class but differed significantly in the addition of large boiler-length side tanks, and was built by converting older E class tender locomotives.[2] They were built to haul suburban passenger services in Perth. They were also used as bank engines on the steeply graded Midland Junction to Chidlow section of the Eastern Railway.[3][4]

The first entered service on 29 March 1945. The first was withdrawn in 1968, with the remainder in 1970/71 following the entry into service of the ADK/ADB class diesel multiple units.[4][5]

Class list

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the Dm class were as follows:[6]

Road
number		 Earlier
number		 In service Withdrawn Notes
581 314 29 March 1945 15 March 1968 Rebuilt from Es 314, renumbered 20 September 1945
582 309 17 May 1945 10 September 1970 Rebuilt from Es 309, renumbered 19 September 1945
583 307 14 July 1945 10 September 1970 Rebuilt from Es 307, renumbered 7 September 1945
584 24 August 1945 22 July 1969 Rebuilt from E 306
585 14 September 1945 10 September 1970 Rebuilt from Es 296
586 10 October 1945 17 June 1971 Rebuilt from Es 318
587 3 November 1945 17 June 1971 Rebuilt from Es 310
588 23 November 1945 17 June 1971 Rebuilt from Es 305

See also

References

Notes
  1. Gunzburg 1984, p. 113.
  2. Gunzburg 1984, p. 125.
  3. Turner, Jim (1997). Australian Steam Locomotives 1896-1958. Kenthurst: Kangaroo Press. p. 140. ISBN 086417778X.
  4. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010. Dural: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 230–231. ISBN 9781921719011.
  5. Gunzburg 1984, p. 127.
  6. Gunzburg 1984, p. 126.

Cited works
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp. 13–15, 47. OCLC 219836193.
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN 0959969039.

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