Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Chris Nuthall, Brian Atkins and Dom Quartuccio
Page Last Updated: 20/11/20
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Locomotive Info:
Type: Diesel-Electric Number Built: 37 Scrapped: 33 Stored: 1 Preserved: 3 Loco Length: 17.94 Meters Weight: 104 tonnes Engine: Alco 12-251B Generator: GE 5GT581 Traction Motors: GE 761 Horsepower: 1750 Max Speed: 113km/h |
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In the early 1950s, The South Australian Railways were beginning the process of dieselisation, replacing costly and aging steam locomotives with modern diesel units. In August 1954, tenders closed for 6 diesel-electric mainline locomotives, with AE Goodwin in Auburn NSW being awarded the contract to build. The design chosen was of the DL-500B cab which had been used in Spain, India and various other countries recently at that time. Construction of the locomotives began in July 1955.
Each unit was fitted with Alco 251B V12 engines. The initial order of 6 differed to the later order and the similar NSWGR 44 class order, in that they only had a single cab at the streamlined end. The first 6 also had pressed steel gratings along the radiator grilles on the side of the locos. Units wore the SAR silver and maroon livery. They were delivered and entered service from late 1955 after the first unit 930 underwent trials in NSW, banking on Cowan Bank.
Delivery required the units to be sent through Victoria via Bandiana where they would be exchanged with broad gauge bogies. Units continue to Melbourne and later, Adelaide hauling goods trains on each stretch of their delivery in most cases. Further units were delivered and entered service into 1956 with a common job being the steeply graded line through the Adelaide Hills to Tailem Bend and Serviceton. All were used on the South Australian broad gauge network, even displacing earlier 900 class locomotives in some instances.
Each unit was fitted with Alco 251B V12 engines. The initial order of 6 differed to the later order and the similar NSWGR 44 class order, in that they only had a single cab at the streamlined end. The first 6 also had pressed steel gratings along the radiator grilles on the side of the locos. Units wore the SAR silver and maroon livery. They were delivered and entered service from late 1955 after the first unit 930 underwent trials in NSW, banking on Cowan Bank.
Delivery required the units to be sent through Victoria via Bandiana where they would be exchanged with broad gauge bogies. Units continue to Melbourne and later, Adelaide hauling goods trains on each stretch of their delivery in most cases. Further units were delivered and entered service into 1956 with a common job being the steeply graded line through the Adelaide Hills to Tailem Bend and Serviceton. All were used on the South Australian broad gauge network, even displacing earlier 900 class locomotives in some instances.
937 propels a Tait set towards a photo line at Bacchus Marsh. (27/10/84)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
958 operating a heritage shuttle from Goolwa to Victor Harbour at Encouter Bay. (16/8/20)
Photo By: Dom Quartuccio |
From July 1957, a further 31 locos entered service however with a double ended design with the last being in service in June 1967. As their service life continued, they were being utilised on everything from local goods trains to the Overland service to Serviceton and later Melbourne once permitted into Victoria under AN.
In 1978, the SAR was transferred to Australian National operation. In 1982, units began seeing use on standard gauge through to Broken Hill and Whyalla. These units used the SG bogies from NSWGR 44 class. Goods services between Adelaide and Melbourne often saw AN and V/line multi-unit lash ups including 930 class. Previously, the Alco units had not been able to work in multi with Clyde/GM locomotives but were modified by their new operator. Some of the fleet began to be repainted into AN’s green and yellow livery. Class leader 930 was renumbered as 967 to meet the requirements of a new computer system in 1986. In the same year, the class were starting to be withdrawn as a result of newer and more powerful locomotives entering service.
Interestingly, some of the fleet were occasionally used on goods and passenger workings within Victoria too, even being used on the Long Island steel trains under V/line operation.
By the start of 1994, only two units were left in service and four in total ultimately being saved from scrapping. 961 was repainted into a special blue and yellow livery intended for ‘The Explorer’ tourist trains in the Barossa Valley. This short-lived operation was run under AN, but 961 would continue to see freight operation after. It also became the only 930 unit that was passed on to Australian Southern Railroad in November 1997 from AN. It was later sold to Silverton Rail in 2001 and renumbered 44s1, retaining its ‘Explorer’ livery. In March 2005, it was sold to CFCLA and is currently stored in Goulburn, NSW. It has also had a period of ARHS ACT ownership.
As for the other survivors, class leader 967 has been preserved back to its original identity of 930 and is on static display at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide. 958 is preserved in an operational condition at the SteamRanger Heritage Railway based at Mount Barker. It currently wears a version of the AN green and yellow scheme. SteamRanger also own 963 which is in a non-operational condition.
In 1978, the SAR was transferred to Australian National operation. In 1982, units began seeing use on standard gauge through to Broken Hill and Whyalla. These units used the SG bogies from NSWGR 44 class. Goods services between Adelaide and Melbourne often saw AN and V/line multi-unit lash ups including 930 class. Previously, the Alco units had not been able to work in multi with Clyde/GM locomotives but were modified by their new operator. Some of the fleet began to be repainted into AN’s green and yellow livery. Class leader 930 was renumbered as 967 to meet the requirements of a new computer system in 1986. In the same year, the class were starting to be withdrawn as a result of newer and more powerful locomotives entering service.
Interestingly, some of the fleet were occasionally used on goods and passenger workings within Victoria too, even being used on the Long Island steel trains under V/line operation.
By the start of 1994, only two units were left in service and four in total ultimately being saved from scrapping. 961 was repainted into a special blue and yellow livery intended for ‘The Explorer’ tourist trains in the Barossa Valley. This short-lived operation was run under AN, but 961 would continue to see freight operation after. It also became the only 930 unit that was passed on to Australian Southern Railroad in November 1997 from AN. It was later sold to Silverton Rail in 2001 and renumbered 44s1, retaining its ‘Explorer’ livery. In March 2005, it was sold to CFCLA and is currently stored in Goulburn, NSW. It has also had a period of ARHS ACT ownership.
As for the other survivors, class leader 967 has been preserved back to its original identity of 930 and is on static display at the National Railway Museum in Port Adelaide. 958 is preserved in an operational condition at the SteamRanger Heritage Railway based at Mount Barker. It currently wears a version of the AN green and yellow scheme. SteamRanger also own 963 which is in a non-operational condition.
932-931-930-937 with #9121 down Jet at Ballan. (22/6/85)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
938-940-935 with a down steel train at Tottenham. (14/6/86)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
Locomotive Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current State |
ANR Maroon and Sliver |
Australian National |
20 Dec 1955 - 1990s |
Renumbered - 967 |
|
931 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
29 Mar 1956 - 13 May 1993 |
Scrapped |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
3 May 1956 - Apr 1990 |
Scrapped |
|
933 |
ANR Maroon and Sliver |
Australian National |
14 June 1956 - Aug 1985 |
Scrapped |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
November 1956 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
|
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Apr 1957 - 1980s |
Scrapped |
|
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jul 1957 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
|
937 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Sep 1957 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Oct 1957 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
|
939 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jan 1958 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Mar 1958 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
|
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Apr 1958 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
|
942 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
May 1958 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
943 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jul 1958 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
944 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Aug 1958 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
945 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jan 1959 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
946 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Apr 1959 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
May 1959 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
|
948 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jun 1959 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
949 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jul 1959 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
950 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Apr 1961 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jun 1961 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
|
952 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jul 1961 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
953 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jul 1961 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
954 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Aug 1961 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
955 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Aug 1961 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
956 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Sep 1961 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
957 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Mar 1962 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
AN Green and Yellow |
Steamranger |
5 May 1965 - Present |
Preserved - Operational |
|
959 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jun 1965 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
960 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Jul 1956 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
961 |
Explorer Blue and Yellow |
AHRS Canberra |
Aug 1965 - Unknown |
Stored |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Oct 1965 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
|
963 |
Green |
Steamranger |
Feb 1967 - 1990s |
Preserved - Static |
964 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
Mar 1967 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
965 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
May 1967 - 1990s |
Scrapped |
966 |
AN Green and Yellow |
Australian National |
27 Jun 1967 - 12 Feb 1994 |
Scrapped |
Information sourced from https://www.steamranger.org.au/enthusiast/history/pdfs/r7612a.pdf, Wikipedia, Vicsig, comrails.com