The WAGR Dm class was a class of 4-6-4T tank locomotive operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1945 and 1971.

Background

World War II was a major setback for Western Australia's railway system. The need to move large numbers of troops and material had taken its toll on the ability of the railways to continue the construction of much needed motive power. During the war years only 13 new locomotives were built, three S class and 10 Australian Standard Garratts. By 1944, approximately a quarter of the WAGR's locomotive fleet was out of action pending maintenance. Much of it was over forty years old.

History

The Dm class was based on the earlier D class but differed significantly in the addition of large boiler-length side tanks, and was built by converting older E class tender locomotives. They were built to haul suburban passenger services in Perth. They were also used as bank engines on the steeply graded Midland Junction to Chidlow section of the Eastern Railway.

The first entered service on 29 March 1945. The first was withdrawn in 1968, with the remainder in 1970/71 following the entry into service of the ADK/ADB class diesel multiple units.

Class list

The numbers and periods in service of each member of the Dm class were as follows:

Road numberEarlier numberIn serviceWithdrawnNotes
Road number Earlier number In service Withdrawn Notes 581 314 29 March 1945 15 March 1968 Rebuilt from Es 314, renumbered 20 September 1945 582 309 17 May 1945 10 September 1970 Rebuilt from Es 309, renumbered 19 September 1945 583 307 14 July 1945 10 September 1970 Rebuilt from Es 307, renumbered 7 September 1945 584 24 August 1945 22 July 1969 Rebuilt from E 306, number plate preserved at Castledare Miniature Railway 585 14 September 1945 10 September 1970 Rebuilt from Es 296 586 10 October 1945 17 June 1971 Rebuilt from Es 318 587 3 November 1945 17 June 1971 Rebuilt from Es 310 588 23 November 1945 17 June 1971 Rebuilt from Es 305
58131429 March 194515 March 1968Rebuilt from Es 314, renumbered 20 September 1945
58230917 May 194510 September 1970Rebuilt from Es 309, renumbered 19 September 1945
58330714 July 194510 September 1970Rebuilt from Es 307, renumbered 7 September 1945
58424 August 194522 July 1969Rebuilt from E 306, number plate preserved at Castledare Miniature Railway
58514 September 194510 September 1970Rebuilt from Es 296
58610 October 194517 June 1971Rebuilt from Es 318
5873 November 194517 June 1971Rebuilt from Es 310
58823 November 194517 June 1971Rebuilt from Es 305

See also

Notes

Cited works

  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1968). WAGR Locomotives 1940–1968. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). pp. 13–15, 47. OCLC .
  • Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN 0959969039.

External links

Media related to WAGR Dm class at Wikimedia Commons