Tasmanian Government Railways Y class

The Y class is a class of diesel locomotives built by the Tasmanian Government Railways between 1961 and 1971.

Tasmanian Government Railways Y class
Preserved Y3 at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston in June 2013
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Tasmanian Government Railways Inveresk Build date 1961–1971 Total produced 8
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo-Bo Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Wheel diameter 3 ft 0+1⁄2 in (0.927 m) Minimum curve 250 ft (76.200 m) Wheelbase 23 ft 10 in (7.264 m) total, 8 ft (2.438 m) bogie Length 44 ft 9 in (13.640 m) over buffers, 41 ft 7 in (12.675 m) over headstocks Width 8 ft 10+1⁄2 in (2.705 m) Height 12 ft 2+1⁄2 in (3.721 m) Axle load 14.5 long tons (14.7 t; 16.2 short tons) Loco weight 58 long tons (59 t; 65 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Fuel capacity 500 imp gal (2,273.045 L) Lubricant cap. 95 imp gal (431.879 L) Prime mover English Electric 6SRKT Mk II RPM range 850 rpm max Engine type four stroke, four valves per cylinder Aspiration turbocharged Traction motors English Electric 537 Cylinders Inline 6 Cylinder size 10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm) MU working 90V, nine notch electro-magnetic control Loco brake straight air, proportional control Train brakes Vacuum (Y1 & Y5 later converted to air)
Performance figures Maximum speed 45 miles per hour (72 km/h) Power output 825 hp (620 kW) gross, 750 hp (560 kW) net Tractive effort 34,000 lbf (151.2 kN) at 6 mph (10 km/h)
Career Operators Tasmanian Government Railways Number in class 8 Numbers Y1-Y8 First run 1961 Current owner TasRail Disposition 7 preserved, 1 converted to driving van

History

The Y class were designed by English Electric and constructed by the Tasmanian Government Railways' Inveresk Workshops. Eight were built as mainline freight and passenger locomotives between 1961 and 1971.

Following the success of the X class, the Tasmanian Government Railways decided to order additional diesel locomotives.

English Electric submitted plans that were quite similar to the Jamaican Railways 81 class, South Australian Railways 800 class and Midland Railways of Western Australia F class but with a small power increase. They were slightly larger and more powerful than the X class. They had a similar layout to the X class, a long hood unit with the cab at one end.

Construction began at the TGR's 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 1971, by which time the design had become dated.

Technical details

The Y class were fitted with an English Electric 6SRKT Mark II (Mark III on last two) in-line six turbocharged diesel engine. They have a Bo-Bo wheel arrangement and end-platforms, making them visually different from the X class.

In line with standard TGR practice of the time, they were fitted with hook-and-link couplers and vacuum train brakes (air on locomotive). With a light tractive weight of only 58 tonnes, a reasonably powerful engine of 825 horsepower (615 kW) and a fairly basic bogie design, gaining traction on long uphill grades was found to be difficult. They were noted to have a tendency to wheel-slip badly. Nevertheless, they were considered successful.

Later years

In March 1978, the Y class were included in the transfer of the Tasmanian Government Railways to Australian National. With the new transfer of twenty 830 class locomotives from South Australia and later purchase of ZB class and ZC class locomotives from Queensland Rail, the Y class were made redundant.

In 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. Y1 & Y5 also received air train brakes in 1985, with the others withdrawn following the cessation of vacuum braked services in 1988. Most of these were being preserved at this stage. With Y2 going to Derwent Valley Railway, Y3 going to Queen Victoria Museum & Art gallery, Launceston, Y4 to Tasmanian Transport Museum and finally Y6&8 to Don River Railway. With Tasrail retaining Y7 for parts.

Y7 was rebuilt in 2001 as a driving van for use on Railton to Devonport cement trains. With this finally stored in 2017. Two members of the class remained in regular service with TasRail, renumbered as the 2150 class, until mid 2016 when stored out of use. In its twilight years, Y1 had been modified with reinforced side windows, an extra window on the front door and sealed headlights, as well as a repaint into Tasrail yellow and grey. Y5 received much of the same modifications, except it retained its reverse AN yellow and green.

In May 2022, Y1 (2150) & Y5 (2151) where donated for preservation to Derwent Valley Railway and Launceston & North East Railway respectively. Only leaving DV1, formally Y7, not preserved.

Status table

Image	Original no	Final no	Name	Owner	Status
	Y1	2150		Derwent Valley Railway	Preserved
	Y2		Henry Baldwin	Derwent Valley Railway	Preserved, operational
	Y3			Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston	Preserved
	Y4		Rowallan	Tasmanian Transport Museum, Glenorchy	Preserved, operational
	Y5	2151	Sir Charles Gairdner	Launceston & North East Railway	Preserved
	Y6			Don River Railway, Devonport	Preserved, operational
	Y7	DV1		TasRail	Stored
	Y8			Don River Railway, Devonport	Preserved, derelict

See also

• Former Tasmanian Government Railways locomotives
• Locomotives of the Tasmanian Government Railways/1950