Designated the 70-class, the first was delivered on 15 August 1960. After weighing, the unit worked a 400-ton test load to Botany the following day. As the new servicing facilities at Port Kembla were not then complete, 7001 was temporarily allocated to Delec Locomotive Depot and worked local services. On 28 September 1960 7001 worked its first passenger train, a railway employees' train from Sydney Central to Chullora Railway Workshops.
By the end of 1960, a further three of the class had been delivered. On two occasions in 1961, 7003 ventured out on to the Richmond line with the afternoon passenger train from the Abattoirs line.
Whilst the remaining units had been delivered by May 1961, 7007 was not accepted until February 1962. Multiple unit 70s became regular visitors on the Camden railway line prior to its closure, working coal trains from Narellan.
ModificationsEdit
Around the end of 1962, defects became apparent. Coupling rods were snapping when the locomotives were travelling at speed. Commencing in February 1963, the problem was rectified by fitting heavier duty side rods. The original side cab-windows were replaced from January 1963. The exhaust stacks were modified from January 1967.
The Snowy Mountains ConnectionEdit
Possibly the most unusual duty allotted to the class was the working of the new Interstate Profile train during the latter part of 1963. It worked from Sydney to Albury, Cooma, Tumut, Picton-Mittagong Loop line, Moss Vale to Unanderra, thence to Sydney and to Casino. Tumut and Cooma were included in the schedule as large profile loads were common to these destinations during the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme.
In December 1963, instruction classes on the new locomotives commenced in two railway carriages at Port Kembla station. From 27 December, four 70 class were rostered for shunting duties on the wharves and in the commercial areas. On 1 January 1964, 7003 was the first locomotive to enter the new Port Kembla depot with all ten having arrived by the end of the month. Usually only seven units would be rostered at any one time. Spare locomotives would be loaned to Thirroul if required.
Work at Port KemblaEdit
With the construction of the new Inner Harbour at Port Kembla and its associated branch from Coniston completed in October 1953, there was a transfer of coal loading operations to that facility. Furthermore, there was a decline of during the early part of 1964 on the old commercial network.
Additional duties for the 70 class were found as shunters in Port Kembla North Yard, transfer workings to the Australian Iron & Steel Exchange sidings at Cringila and even shunting passenger carriages at Wollongong station.
Varied ColoursEdit
All locomotives were issued to traffic in the standard colour scheme of Indian Red with chrome lining. In July 1982, 7006 was repainted in the short-lived reverse colour scheme and in April 1983, 7007 was repainted in the candy colour scheme.
DemiseEdit
By early 1984, the use of the 70 class on the Port Kembla industrial network was at an all-time low. Only one or two were needed for the day shift. A further three would be occupied on shunting duties at Port Kembla North, with perhaps two more on transfer work.
On 10 February 1984, 7009 was taken out of traffic and sent to Eveleigh Railway Workshops with 7008 following on 21 June 1984 and 7002 on 13 August 1984, all three were officially withdrawn. On 12 September 1984, 7007 failed and was set aside at Port Kembla, to be joined by 7010 in June 1985. 7003 was subsequently withdrawn after a wheel sheared off.
On 12 November 1984, 73 class took over all shunting and transfer duties at Port Kembla. Three 70 class were to be kept operational and the remainder kept spare. By early September 1986, only two locomotives were available for local working, 7006 and 7010. On 10 September 1986, 7010 last operated and 7006 the following day.[3]
Of the locomotives remaining at Port Kembla, 7001, 7004 and 7005 were all sold to Sims Metal for scrap. The Emu Bay Railway, Tasmania purchased 7003 for spares and the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum 7007 and 7010. The New South Wales Rail Transport Museum's (NSW Rail Museum) Illawarra branch purchased 7006. This locomotive was previously on loan to the Powerhouse Museum but was returned to Thirlmere for an overhaul and is currently the shunter at Thirlmere.
^"Suburban Report" Railway Digest February 1986 page 45
^"Illawarra Report" Railway Digest December 1986 page 389
Neve, Peter (July–August 2008). "70 Class". Australian Railway History. pp. 235–242, 273–278.
Further readingEdit
New South Wales Rail System Locomotives. Sydney: Archives Section, State Rail Authority of New South Wales. 1984.
October 26, 2023
south, wales, class, locomotive, class, were, class, diesel, hydraulic, locomotives, built, commonwealth, engineering, granville, south, wales, department, railways, 1960, they, were, ordered, replace, steam, locomotives, port, kembla, south, wales, class7002,. The 70 class were a class of diesel hydraulic locomotives built by Commonwealth Engineering Granville for the New South Wales Department of Railways in 1960 61 They were ordered to replace steam locomotives at Port Kembla New South Wales 70 class7002 hauls an enthusiast s special towards the Inner Harbour at Port Kembla in September 1967Type and originPower typeDiesel hydraulicBuilderCommonwealth Engineering GranvilleBuild date1960 1961Total produced10SpecificationsConfiguration UICCGauge4 ft 8 1 2 in 1 435 mm standard gaugeWheel diameter48 in 1 219 mm Wheelbase14 ft 6 in 4 42 m LengthOver headstocks 30 ft 6 in 9 30 m Over coupler pulling faces 33 ft 4 in 10 16 m Width9 ft 0 in 2 74 m Height14 ft 0 in 4 27 m Axle load16 long tons 0 cwt 35 800 lb or 16 3 t Loco weight48 long tons 0 cwt 107 500 lb or 48 8 t Fuel typeDieselFuel capacity400 imp gal 1 800 L 480 US gal Lubricant cap Engine 71 imp gal 320 L 85 US gal Transmission 60 imp gal 270 L 72 US gal Final drive 11 imp gal 50 L 13 US gal Coolant cap 104 imp gal 470 L 125 US gal Sandbox cap 3 5 cu ft 0 099 m3 Prime moverCaterpillar D397RPM range550 1300Engine typeFour stroke V12 dieselAspirationTurbochargedCylinders12Cylinder size5 75 in 8 in 146 mm 203 mm TransmissionVoith L37zUb with Deutsche Getriebe GmbH SWB37z 2 final drivePerformance figuresMaximum speedLow ratio 22 mph 35 km h High ratio 40 mph 64 km h Power outputGross 580 hp 430 kW For traction 550 hp 410 kW Tractive effortContinuous 25 300 lbf 112 54 kN at 6 mph 9 7 km h CareerOperatorsNSW Department of RailwaysNumber in class10Numbers7001 7010First run16 August 1960Retired11 September 1986Preserved7003 7006 7007 7008 7010Disposition5 preserved 5 scrapped Contents 1 Delivery 2 Modifications 3 The Snowy Mountains Connection 4 Move to Port Kembla 5 Work at Port Kembla 6 Varied Colours 7 Demise 8 References 9 Further readingDelivery Edit nbsp 7002 and 7004 shunt at Rockdale in 1965Designated the 70 class the first was delivered on 15 August 1960 After weighing the unit worked a 400 ton test load to Botany the following day As the new servicing facilities at Port Kembla were not then complete 7001 was temporarily allocated to Delec Locomotive Depot and worked local services On 28 September 1960 7001 worked its first passenger train a railway employees train from Sydney Central to Chullora Railway Workshops By the end of 1960 a further three of the class had been delivered On two occasions in 1961 7003 ventured out on to the Richmond line with the afternoon passenger train from the Abattoirs line Whilst the remaining units had been delivered by May 1961 7007 was not accepted until February 1962 Multiple unit 70s became regular visitors on the Camden railway line prior to its closure working coal trains from Narellan Modifications EditAround the end of 1962 defects became apparent Coupling rods were snapping when the locomotives were travelling at speed Commencing in February 1963 the problem was rectified by fitting heavier duty side rods The original side cab windows were replaced from January 1963 The exhaust stacks were modified from January 1967 The Snowy Mountains Connection EditPossibly the most unusual duty allotted to the class was the working of the new Interstate Profile train during the latter part of 1963 It worked from Sydney to Albury Cooma Tumut Picton Mittagong Loop line Moss Vale to Unanderra thence to Sydney and to Casino Tumut and Cooma were included in the schedule as large profile loads were common to these destinations during the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme Move to Port Kembla EditBy early July 1963 three had moved at Thirroul Railway Depot for crew training They operated transfer workings within the Illawarra district and shunting duties at Port Kembla North In December 1963 instruction classes on the new locomotives commenced in two railway carriages at Port Kembla station From 27 December four 70 class were rostered for shunting duties on the wharves and in the commercial areas On 1 January 1964 7003 was the first locomotive to enter the new Port Kembla depot with all ten having arrived by the end of the month Usually only seven units would be rostered at any one time Spare locomotives would be loaned to Thirroul if required Work at Port Kembla EditWith the construction of the new Inner Harbour at Port Kembla and its associated branch from Coniston completed in October 1953 there was a transfer of coal loading operations to that facility Furthermore there was a decline of during the early part of 1964 on the old commercial network Additional duties for the 70 class were found as shunters in Port Kembla North Yard transfer workings to the Australian Iron amp Steel Exchange sidings at Cringila and even shunting passenger carriages at Wollongong station Varied Colours EditAll locomotives were issued to traffic in the standard colour scheme of Indian Red with chrome lining In July 1982 7006 was repainted in the short lived reverse colour scheme and in April 1983 7007 was repainted in the candy colour scheme Demise EditBy early 1984 the use of the 70 class on the Port Kembla industrial network was at an all time low Only one or two were needed for the day shift A further three would be occupied on shunting duties at Port Kembla North with perhaps two more on transfer work On 10 February 1984 7009 was taken out of traffic and sent to Eveleigh Railway Workshops with 7008 following on 21 June 1984 and 7002 on 13 August 1984 all three were officially withdrawn On 12 September 1984 7007 failed and was set aside at Port Kembla to be joined by 7010 in June 1985 7003 was subsequently withdrawn after a wheel sheared off In 1985 7008 was purchased by the Dorrigo Steam Railway amp Museum 1 while 7002 and 7009 were both scrapped at Sims Metal Mascot 2 On 12 November 1984 73 class took over all shunting and transfer duties at Port Kembla Three 70 class were to be kept operational and the remainder kept spare By early September 1986 only two locomotives were available for local working 7006 and 7010 On 10 September 1986 7010 last operated and 7006 the following day 3 Of the locomotives remaining at Port Kembla 7001 7004 and 7005 were all sold to Sims Metal for scrap The Emu Bay Railway Tasmania purchased 7003 for spares and the Dorrigo Steam Railway amp Museum 7007 and 7010 The New South Wales Rail Transport Museum s NSW Rail Museum Illawarra branch purchased 7006 This locomotive was previously on loan to the Powerhouse Museum but was returned to Thirlmere for an overhaul and is currently the shunter at Thirlmere References Edit Locomotives Railway Digest June 1985 page 168 Suburban Report Railway Digest February 1986 page 45 Illawarra Report Railway Digest December 1986 page 389 Neve Peter July August 2008 70 Class Australian Railway History pp 235 242 273 278 Further reading EditNew South Wales Rail System Locomotives Sydney Archives Section State Rail Authority of New South Wales 1984 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title New South Wales 70 class locomotive amp oldid 1068953224, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
