The 43 class are a class of Australian diesel locomotives built by A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow for the New South Wales Department of Railways in 1956–1957.
Construction The class of six locomotives was built by A Goninan & Co, Broadmeadow, as sub-contractor to Australian Electrical Industries.A Century Plus of Locomotives Australian Railway Historical Society, NSW Division 196543 Class Vicsig.net
These locomotives were unique in Australia in having Alco power units in GE Transportation Systems designed bodies, a legacy of the former Alco-GE partnership which was dissolved in 1953. Although their design originated in the United States, only two similar UM20 cab and two booster units were ever built in that country, for the Union Pacific and Erie Railroads.
Operation The 43 class were initially used on the Main Western line from Sydney to Orange, prior to electrification of the line to Lithgow in June 1957, appearing regularly on the Central West Express. Subsequently, they were transferred to Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot operating from Gosford to the Queensland border via both the North Coast and Main North lines. They also saw service on the Main South line.
The 43 class were not popular with the train crews, but they did pave the way for a long line of Alco-powered locomotives. They did receive some improvements in the late 1950s with water cooling of the turbo-superchargers replacing the air-cooled units.
Demise In August 1974, 4301 was taken into Chullora Workshops for a regular overhaul, however a decision was made to use it as spares for the remaining units.43 Class Railpage
The last was withdrawn in October 1979 with 4306 placed by the Public Transport Commission in the custody of the NSW Rail Museum. It is now a designated NSW heritage item.RailCorp S170 Heritage & Conservation Register RailCorpLocomotive, Diesel 4306 NSW Government Environment & Heritage It was transferred to Thirlmere in March 1980.Railway Digest December 1984 page 418
In 1986, the Illawarra branch of the Rail Transport Museum commenced overhauling 4306 at Yallah."The Museum Scene" Roundhouse April 1990 page 25 The locomotive returned to traffic in June 1996 and has since been used extensively on charters in New South Wales as well as interstate to Brisbane and Melbourne."Train Delays Take Shine Off Open Day" Railway Digest August 1996 page 8
Fleet Status +NumberImageStatusNotes4301Scrapped4302Scrapped4303Scrapped4304Scrapped4305Scrapped4306OperationalPreserved, owned by Transport Heritage NSW, located at NSW Rail Museum, Thirlmere
References
Further reading
External links