New South Wales 42 class locomotive
| Company type | Diesel-electric locomotive class |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway transport |
| Founded | 1955–56 |
| Headquarters | Granville , Australia |
| Products | Diesel-electric locomotives |
The New South Wales 42 class comprises six diesel-electric locomotives constructed by Clyde Engineering in Granville for the New South Wales Department of Railways during 1955–56. These units, modeled on EMD A7 (later designated A16C) designs, were powered by EMD 16-567C V16 two-stroke diesel engines delivering a gross output of 1,750 hp, with 1,600 hp available for traction.
Notable technical details include a Co-Co wheel configuration running on standard gauge rails, a top speed capability of 71 mph, and a total weight of 120 long tons per locomotive. Each locomotive carried 1,500 imperial gallons of fuel and housed six EMD D37 traction motors energized by an EMD D12 generator.
The 42 class operated mainly within New South Wales until their retirement in 1983. Presently, four of these locomotives are preserved by various custodians such as Transport Heritage NSW and the Lachlan Valley Railway.
History
The design draws inspiration from the Electro-Motive Diesel EMD F9 locomotive and bears a strong resemblance to the GM 12 class, also produced by Clyde Engineering for the Commonwealth Railways.
Initially assigned to premier passenger routes including the Brisbane Limited, Intercapital Daylight, and Melbourne Limited, their duties later extended to services like the Southern Aurora and Spirit of Progress. With the introduction of newer locomotives, the 42 class transitioned predominantly to freight operations along the Main South line.
In April 1978, the Goulburn branch of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen prohibited the use of the 42 class as lead engines due to concerns over cab environment. During an overhaul in 1980, unit 4201 received cab enhancements; however, no further upgrades were undertaken as replacements were anticipated. The entire class was withdrawn from service by 1983.
Preservation
Out of the original six units, three have been preserved while a fourth was partially saved but largely dismantled:
- 4201 is held by the NSW Rail Museum. It has been extensively operated on charter services across New South Wales and interstate to Melbourne, maintaining its green and yellow paint scheme applied for NSW Railways' 125th anniversary in 1980. As of December 2024, this locomotive remains in active service.
- 4203 was once exhibited at Caravan City in Cowra before being sold. Its body was segmented into three parts; the middle section was scrapped, while the cab and rear portion were adapted into playground equipment at O'Donohughe's Pub in Emu Plains. The bogies and fuel tank were sold to collectors for spare components.
- 4204 belongs to the Lachlan Valley Railway. Apprentices at Clyde Engineering, Kelso restored it in 1986. Since then, it has been extensively used on both charter and freight assignments under Lachlan Valley Rail Freight. Following an overhaul completed in early 2010, it returned sporting its original Special Maroon livery. Up until December 2018, it regularly ran mainline excursions and was contracted by Southern Shorthaul Railroad for infrastructure trains across NSW and Victoria. After another overhaul and repainting, it resumed charter operations in October 2019.
- 4206 was acquired by the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum. After hauling trains on the Dorrigo railway line throughout the 1980s, it is now stored. Exposure to open storage conditions has negatively impacted its state despite previous operational status.
| Locomotive | Serial No | Entered Service | Current Owner | Livery | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4201 | 55-74 | Nov 1955 | NSW Rail Museum | 125 Years of NSW Railways Green & Yellow | Preserved, Operational |
| 4202 | 55-75 | Dec 1955 | - | - | Scrapped |
| 4203 | 55-79 | Jan 1956 | O'Donohugue's Pub, Emu Plains | Red & Black | Converted (Cut-Down Shell) |
| 4204 | 56-87 | Mar 1956 | Lachlan Valley Railway | Indian Red | Preserved, Operational |
| 4205 | 56-92 | May 1956 | - | - | Scrapped |
| 4206 | 56-100 | Aug 1956 | Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum | Indian Red | Stored |
Additional resources
- "The 42 Class of NSW" Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, January/February 1985, pages 1–24 and 26–43
- New South Wales Rail System Locomotives, 1984, Archives Section, State Rail Authority of New South Wales
- Locomotives of Australia (Oberg), 2011 edition, Rosenberg Publishers, pages 283–287