New South Wales 45 (later 71) class locomotive
Encyclopedia
The New South Wales 45 class was a class of mainline electric locomotive introduced on to the NSW rail system
in 1952
by the New South Wales Government Railways
. With only a single locomotive in the class, it was later renumbered as the 71 class and the number group was reused for a class of diesel-electric locomotives
in 1962.
and was built at their Chullora
Workshops using components supplied by Commonwealth Engineering
. It was completed in June, 1952 and bore the initial classification number 4501.
It has a driving compartment at each end of its very box-shaped body. Its colour scheme being bottle green, with chrome lining, it became affectionately known as the Green Beetle.
Its purpose was to provide the necessary experience of operating powerful electric locomotives prior to the arrival of the 46-class
locomotives which had been ordered from England for use on the electrified line to Lithgow
. Once the electrification project had reached Penrith
in October, 1955, 4501 had its first opportunity to haul passenger trains. Six months later, when the first 46-class arrived, the locomotive became a regular assistant locomotive for steam powered trains between North Strathfield
and Hornsby
.
In 1957, it was transferred to the Flemington
Electric Train sheds where it was employed as a shunter. This location, at that period, was the service centre for the locomotive hauled air-conditioned trains.
In October, 1961, it was re-numbered 7100, releasing the 45-series for a class of diesel locomotives
.
It received a major overhaul in 1968 when several tonnes of additional ballast was added. Main-line safeworking equipment was provided to allow its use on heavy coal trains over the newly opened route from Glenlee, south of Campbelltown
, to Rozelle
.
.
Rail transport in New South Wales
The Australian state of New South Wales has an extensive network of railways, which were integral to the growth and development of the state. The vast majority of railway lines were government built and operated, but there were also several private railways, some of which operate to this...
in 1952
1952 in rail transport
-January events:* January 13 - Union Pacific Railroad’s City of San Francisco is stalled in snow on Donner Pass. The train's passengers remain stranded in the train until January 16.-April events:...
by the New South Wales Government Railways
New South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways was the government department that operated the New South Wales Government's railways until the establishment of the Public Transport Commission in 1972. Although later known officially as the Department of Railways, New South Wales, it was still generally...
. With only a single locomotive in the class, it was later renumbered as the 71 class and the number group was reused for a class of diesel-electric locomotives
New South Wales 45 class locomotive
The New South Wales 45 class are a class of diesel-electric locomotives built for and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways from 1962...
in 1962.
Construction
The sole member of this class was designed by the New South Wales Government RailwaysNew South Wales Government Railways
The New South Wales Government Railways was the government department that operated the New South Wales Government's railways until the establishment of the Public Transport Commission in 1972. Although later known officially as the Department of Railways, New South Wales, it was still generally...
and was built at their Chullora
Chullora, New South Wales
Chullora, a suburb of local government areas City of Bankstown and the Municipality of Strathfield, is located 15 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and forms a part of the Greater Western Sydney region.-History:The suburb of...
Workshops using components supplied by Commonwealth Engineering
Commonwealth Engineering
The Commonwealth Engineering Company Limited is the brand name of a former Australian Engineering Company that designed Locomotives, Electrical Multiple Units , Diesel Multiple Units and Trams.-History:...
. It was completed in June, 1952 and bore the initial classification number 4501.
Operation
4501 has a one-hour power rating of 2700 hp with a total weight of 108 LT. Its maximum speed is 70 miles per hour (31.3 m/s)It has a driving compartment at each end of its very box-shaped body. Its colour scheme being bottle green, with chrome lining, it became affectionately known as the Green Beetle.
Its purpose was to provide the necessary experience of operating powerful electric locomotives prior to the arrival of the 46-class
New South Wales 46 class locomotive
The New South Wales 46 class are a class of mainline electric locomotive introduced onto the NSW rail system from 1956 under New South Wales Government Railways...
locomotives which had been ordered from England for use on the electrified line to Lithgow
Lithgow, New South Wales
Lithgow is a city in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia and is the centre of the local political division City of Lithgow. It is located in a mountain valley named Lithgow's Valley by John Oxley in honour of William Lithgow, the first Auditor-General of New South Wales.Lithgow is...
. Once the electrification project had reached Penrith
Penrith, New South Wales
Penrith is a suburb in western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Penrith is located west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Penrith...
in October, 1955, 4501 had its first opportunity to haul passenger trains. Six months later, when the first 46-class arrived, the locomotive became a regular assistant locomotive for steam powered trains between North Strathfield
North Strathfield, New South Wales
North Strathfield is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. North Strathfield is located 15 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Canada Bay...
and Hornsby
Hornsby, New South Wales
* Highest Maximum Temperature: 42 °C* Lowest Maximum Temperature: 4.9 °C* Warmest Month: January* Coolest Month: July* Highest Precipitation: February* Lowest Precipitation: July-Notable residents:...
.
In 1957, it was transferred to the Flemington
Flemington, New South Wales
Flemington is an inner western suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Flemington is located 16 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Strathfield.-Commercial area:...
Electric Train sheds where it was employed as a shunter. This location, at that period, was the service centre for the locomotive hauled air-conditioned trains.
In October, 1961, it was re-numbered 7100, releasing the 45-series for a class of diesel locomotives
New South Wales 45 class locomotive
The New South Wales 45 class are a class of diesel-electric locomotives built for and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways from 1962...
.
It received a major overhaul in 1968 when several tonnes of additional ballast was added. Main-line safeworking equipment was provided to allow its use on heavy coal trains over the newly opened route from Glenlee, south of Campbelltown
Campbelltown, New South Wales
Campbelltown is a suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Campbelltown is located 51 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Campbelltown.- History :Campbelltown...
, to Rozelle
Rozelle, New South Wales
Rozelle is a suburb in the inner west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 4 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Leichhardt....
.
Demise
Failures dogged the veteran locomotive and it was decided to condemn it in June 1974. Following an extended period of storage, it was placed with the New South Wales Rail Transport MuseumNew South Wales Rail Transport Museum
The New South Wales Rail Transport Museum located in Thirlmere, New South Wales south-west of Sydney, is a museum dedicated to displaying former locomotives, carriages and goods wagons from the New South Wales Government Railways as well as private operations in NSW. The collection features steam,...
.