Phil Wormald photo
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One of the preserved units is seen here resting at the Broadmeadow
depot, Newcastle. Feb. 27th, 1993. Phil Wormald photo |
Being the classic DL500 "World locomotive design, these is - or better was - the most handsome Class on the NSW State Railway roster. The 44100 entered service on 22 January 1968, the last of the series and the very last new DL500 cab unit ever. The last ones were retired by the mid-90's outliving their successors of the 442 Class by age. 4401 is retained by the State Rail at the Enfield Maintenance Centre and was restored to original condition.The original livery was red and chrome. The red/white/orange "Candy" scheme was introduced in the early 80s.
Trevor Edmonds reports: 4462 was withdrawn after a collision in 1972, 4476 and 4478 suffered a similar fate in 1974. Withdrawals of older members of the class commenced in the late seventies. The first 44 to be preserved was # 4420 in 1992. Final withdrawal of the class came in July 1994. A huge auction of 128 locomotives was held on 6 December 1994. The auction saw the end of the 44 and 45 class as well as the mk 1 48 class. 41 members of the 44 class were sold.
Ron Beckett reports (25.02.2004): Some 44s run every day hauling freight in Sydney for Patrick's freight operations. They run under the run numbers PAT-1, PAT-2, PAT-3 and PAT-4. They are looking very run down - rust, paint worn off etc.
| 4475 works a freight with a class mate near Telarah, December 1993. Nick Chase photo |
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4401 is one of the preserved units (with the heritage train
operator 3801 Limited), seen here at the Open Day at Junee, October 4th,
1997. Brad Peadon photo |
| First unit in service | 8th July 1957 | 1961 | |
| Class nos. | 4401 - 4460 (GE motors) | 4401 - 4460 (AEI motors) | 4461 - 44100 (AEI motors) |
| Builder | A. E. Goodwin | A. E. Goodwin | A. E. Goodwin |
| Builder's typecode | DL500C | DL500C | DL500C |
| Engine | 12-251B | 12-251B | 12-251C |
| HP (Generator) | 1800 | 1800 | 1800 |
| Fuel capacity | 1200 gallons (5455 liters) | 1200 gallons (5455 liters) | 1200 gallons (5455 liters) |
| Wheel arrangement | Co-Co | Co-Co | Co-Co |
| Axle load | 18.7 tons (19 tonnes) | 17.7 tons (18 tonnes) | 18.4 tons (18.7 tonnes) |
| Total weight | 112 tons (114 tonnes) | 106 tons (108 tonnes) | 110 tons (112 tonnes) |
| Wheel diameter | 40" (1016 mm) | 40" (1016 mm) | 40" (1016 mm) |
| Bogie wheelbase | 13' 9" (4190 mm) | 13' 9" (4190 mm) | 13' 9" (4190 mm) |
| Length overall | 58' 5" (17805 mm) | 58' 5" (17805 mm) | 58' 5" (17805 mm) |
| Height | 12' 9 1/2" (3900 mm) | 12' 9 1/2" (3900 mm) | 12' 9 1/2" (3900 mm) |
| Width | 9' 4" (2845 mm) | 9' 4" (2845 mm) | 9' 4" (2845 mm) |
| Worn and battered DL500 # 4446 at Broadmeadow depot, Feb. 27th,
1993. The unit carried the old livery until its retirement. Phil Wormald photo |
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Last update 25.02.04