Queensland Railways 1720 class

Queensland Railways 1720 class

Bicentennial liveried 1723 at Moolabin goods yard in February 1988

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm Model Electro-Motive Diesel GL8 Build date 1966 Total produced 56

Specifications UIC class Co-Co Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Length 13.4 metres (44 ft) Loco weight 62 tonnes (61 long tons; 68 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover Electro-Motive Diesel 645E Generator Electro-Motive Diesel D25 Traction motors Electro-Motive Diesel CD36 Cylinders 8

Performance figures Maximum speed 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) Power output 745 kilowatts (999 hp)

Career Operators Queensland Railways Number in class 56 Numbers 1720-1775 First run October 1966 Current owner Aurizon, Queensland Rail Disposition 40 in service, 5 stored, 10 exported, 1 preserved

The 1720 class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm for Queensland Railways between 1966 and 1970.

History

The 1720 class were an evolution of the 1700 class. They operated throughout Queensland on branchline freight, suburban and mainline passenger services and on shunting duties.^[1][2][3] Later they were modified for driver only operation receiving a larger windscreen.

Some have been exported, although the majority as at January 2014 remain in service.^[4] Unit 1741 was acquired for preservation by the Queensland Diesel Restoration Group in October 2016.^[5]

Gallery

Clyde Engineering builder's plate on 1740  1732 near Bogantungan in September 1989  1738 in Rockhampton  1723 in Bicentennial livery at Yeerongpilly in 1987  1740 crossing the Styx River in 1991  Kuranda Scenic Railway 1774 in December 2007  Kuranda Scenic Railway 1734 in January 2009  Kuranda Scenic Railway 1774 in April 2012

References

1. Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 258. ISBN 0 730100 05 7.
2. 1720 Class Queensland's Great Trains
3. Clyde/GM 1720 Class Queensland's Railway Interest Group
4. 1720 Class Railpage
5. "1741D". Queensland Diesel Restoration Group.