Queensland Railways 2350 class
2356 in Gympie yard with 1621 in 1987
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderEnglish Electric, Rocklea
Serial numberA.253 to A.258
A.263 to A.268
Build date1973-1974
Total produced12
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICCo-Co
Gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Wheel diameter3 ft 1+1⁄2 in (0.953 m)
Wheelbase38 ft 6 in (11.735 m) total, 12 ft 6 in (3.810 m) bogie
Length52 ft 9 in (16.078 m) over headstocks
Width9 ft 3 in (2.819 m)
Height12 ft 5+1⁄8 in (3.788 m)
Axle load15 long tons (15.2 t; 16.8 short tons)
Loco weight90 long tons (91.4 t; 100.8 short tons)
Fuel typeDiesel
Fuel capacity1,500 imp gal (6,800 L)
Prime moverEnglish Electric 12CSVT Mk III
RPM range900rpm
Engine typefour stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspirationturbocharged, intercooled
AlternatorToyo WD10314A
Traction motorsEnglish Electric 548
Cylinders12 Vee
Cylinder size10 in × 12 in (254 mm × 305 mm)
MU working110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Loco brakeAir, dynamic
Train brakesAir
Performance figures
Maximum speed50 miles per hour (80 km/h)
Power output2,550 hp (1,900 kW) gross, 2,350 hp (1,750 kW) net
Career
OperatorsQueensland Railways
Number in class12
Numbers2350-2361
First runApril 1973
Current ownerTasRail, Launceston & North East Railway
Disposition2 stored, 1 preserved, 2 rebuilt, 7 scrapped

The 2350 class were a class of diesel locomotive built by English Electric, Rocklea, for Queensland Railways in 1973–1974. All were later sold to AN Tasrail.

History

2356 hauls a special train up the grade north of Eumundi on the North Coast line in 1987

The 2350 class was built for use on the Blackwater and Moura coal lines and based at Gladstone.[1][2][3] The class became surplus following electrification of the coal lines and in 1987 were all sold to AN Tasrail where they all entered service as the ZB class.[4][5][6] They were very similar to the Tasrail Za class. In fact, the first four ZA class's builder's numbers follow on in sequence from those of the 2350s and are followed by those of the 2370s.

In 1995, one was rebuilt by Australian National's Port Augusta workshop with a raked cab similar to the EL class and renumbered ZR1, while in 1997 a second was rebuilt at AN Tasrail's Launceston workshops with a more conventional cab as ZR2.[7][8][9]

In 2003, three were sold to South Spur Rail Services, with two shipped to Western Australia to operate infrastructure trains with the fourth stripped for parts in Launceston, eventually being owned by Greentrains. Finally being scrapped in 2016, with the sole remaining WAGR R class, after being left exposed to heavy vandalism.[6]

The remaining four locomotives are in storage at TasRail's East Tamar workshops, having been out of use since early 2014. One of these, ZB 5/2123 (2352), has been preserved by Launceston & North East Railway. It was finally delivered to their Lilydale yard on 27 May 2022, making it the first of its class in preservation.

References

  1. ↑ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. pp. 285–286. ISBN 0-730100-05-7.
  2. ↑ English Electric 2350 Class Queensland's Railway Interest Group
  3. ↑ 2350/2370 Class Railpage
  4. ↑ 2350 Class Queensland's Great Trains
  5. ↑ ZB Class Railpage
  6. 1 2 ZB Class Rail Tasmania
  7. ↑ ZR Class Railpage
  8. ↑ ZR Class Rail Tasmania
  9. ↑ "Rebuilt Loco Arrives at Tasrail" Railway Digest July 1996 page 16

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