Westrail P class

The P class are a class of diesel locomotives built by A Goninan & Co, Bassendean for Westrail between 1989 and 1991.

Westrail P class
P2511 at Goomalling in October 2013
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder A Goninan & Co, Bassendean Model General Electric CM25-8 Build date 1989–1991 Total produced 17
Specifications Configuration: ​  • AAR C-C  • UIC Co′Co′ Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Loco weight 98.5 t (96.9 long tons; 108.6 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover GE 7FDL-12J4 Engine type V12 diesel Alternator GE GMC191A1 Traction motors GE 761 Cylinders 12
Performance figures Power output 1,830 kW (2,450 hp) Tractive effort 375 kN (84,000 lbf) (starting) 286 kN (64,000 lbf) (continuous)
Career Operators Westrail Number in class 17 Numbers P2501–P2517 Delivered 8 December 1989 Current owner Aurizon Disposition 17 in service

History

In 1988, Westrail placed an order for 15 CM25-8 Dash 8 locomotives for bulk grain and general freight haulage with A Goninan & Co.[1] A 16th was later ordered[2] followed by a 17th funded by AMC Mineral Sands.[3]

In 1997, the class was fitted with Locotrol equipment to allow them to operate in top and tail formation.[4]

All were included in the sale of Westrail to Australian Railroad Group in December 2000, with the class redesignated as the 2500 class.[5][6] In June 2006, all were included in the sale of Australian Railroad Group's Western Australian operation to QR National.[7] All 17 remain in service with Aurizon as at October 2014.[8]

Status list

Westrail No Aurizon No Name(s) P2001 2501 Shire of Mingenew P2002 2502 Shire of Moora P2003 2503 Shire of Victoria Plains P2004 2504 Shire of Dalwallinu P2005 2505 Shire of Lake Grace P2006 2506 Shire of Quairading P2007 2507 Shire of Perenjori P2008 2508 Shire of Carnamah P2009 2509 Shire of Three Springs P2010 2510 Shire of Corrigin P2011 2511 Shire of Narembeen P2012 2512 Shire of Mullewa P2013 2513 Shire of Morawa P2014 2514 Shire of Wongan-Ballidu P2015 2515 Shire of Kulin P2016 2516 Shire of Coorow P2017 2517 City of Geraldton

References

1. "Intelligence" Railway Gazette International volume 144 issue 7 July 1988 page 441
2. "Goninan builds narrow-gauge Dash-8" Railway Gazette International volume 146 issue 5 May 1990 page 391
3. "Intelligence" Railway Gazette International volume 148 issue 8 page 509
4. "Westrail Top & Tail Grain Trains" Railway Digest April 1997 page 15
5. P Class (Westrail) Railpage
6. P Class (ARG) Railpage
7. Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-2010s. Kenthurst: Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 413–414. ISBN 9781921719011.
8. "Australia Wide Fleet List 2014" Motive Power issue 96 November 2014 page 64

External links

• Media related to Westrail P class at Wikimedia Commons
• Flickr gallery