BHP Port Kembla D9 class

4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gaugeWheel diameter3 ft 8 in (1,118 mm)Minimum curve150 ft (45.72 m)Wheelbase28 ft 3 in (8.61 m) total, 7 ft 3 in (2.210 m) bogieLength38 ft 1 in (11.61 m) over couplersWidth9 ft 3 in (2,819 mm)Height13 ft 10+1⁄2 in (4,229 mm)Axle load15 long tons
(15.2 t; 16.8 short tons)Loco weight60 long tons
(61.0 t; 67.2 short tons)Fuel typeDieselFuel capacity500 imp gal
(2,300 L; 600 US gal)Prime moverEnglish Electric 6KTRPM range330 - 680rpmEngine typefour stroke, 6 Inline two valves per cylinderAspirationNaturalTraction motorsTwo EE506Cylinders6Cylinder size10 in × 12 in
(254 mm × 305 mm)Loco brakeAirTrain brakesAir

Performance figures
Maximum speed	17+1⁄2 mph (28.2 km/h)
Power output	400 hp (300 kW) gross
Tractive effort	17,800 lbf (79.2 kN) at 2.9 mph (0 km/h)

Career
Operators	Australian Iron & Steel
Number in class	13
Numbers	D9-D15, D20-D25
First run	August 1956
Preserved	D9, D11, D20, D21, D23, D25
Disposition	6 preserved, 7 scrapped

The D9 class were a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for Australian Iron & Steel's, Port Kembla steelworks between 1956 and 1960.

History

In the 1950s, Australian Iron & Steel commenced an extensive modernisation and expansion of its Port Kembla steelworks. To operate on the expanded 200 kilometre network, seven shunter locomotives were ordered from English Electric with the first entering service in September 1956. A further six were delivered in 1960. A distinct feature of the locomotives was a large cooling fan at the end of the hood.^[1][2]

A down turn in the early 1980s saw the class withdrawn, with D10 being hired to fellow BHP subsidiary Blue Circle Cement for use at Portland in 1982/83 and Berrima in 1986/87.^[3] In 1989 three locos,D21, D23 & D24 were overhauled & repainted in the Lysaghts yellow colour scheme to replace locomotives on the neighbouring John Lysaght plant.

Six have been preserved:^[4]

• D9 by the Lachlan Valley Railway, Cowra^[5][6]
• D11 by the Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum^[7]
• D20, D21 and D23 by the Lithgow State Mine Heritage Park & Railway^[8][9]
• D25 by the Canberra Railway Museum^[10]

References