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'{{Infobox locomotive |name = New South Wales 73 class |powertype = Diesel-hydraulic |image = Candy 7318.jpg |alt = 275px |caption = Candy coloured 7318 shunts [[Grafton, New South Wales|Grafton]] yard in January 1986 |builder = [[Walkers Limited]], [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]] |ordernumber = |serialnumber = |buildmodel = |builddate = 1970-1973 |totalproduction = 50 |rebuilder = |rebuilddate = |numberrebuilt = |aarwheels = B-B |uicclass = B'B' |gauge = {{Track gauge|impsg}} |trucks = |bogies = |wheeldiameter = {{convert|40|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |trailingdiameter = |minimumcurve = |wheelbase = {{convert|26|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} |length = ''Over [[Headstock (rolling stock)|headstocks]]:''<br> {{convert|36|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}},<br>''Over [[Buffer (rail transport)|buffers]]:'' <br>{{convert|39|ft|4|in|m|2|abbr=on}} |width = {{convert|9|ft|3|in|m|2|abbr=on}} |height = {{convert|13|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} |axleload = {{long ton|12|5|lk=on}} |weightondrivers = |locoweight = {{long ton|49|0}} |fueltype = [[Diesel fuel|Diesel]] |fuelcap = {{convert|500|impgal|abbr=on}} |lubecap = ''Engine:'' <br>{{convert|42|impgal|abbr=on}},<br>''Transmission:''<br> {{convert|58|impgal|abbr=on}},<br>''Final drive:''<br> {{convert|3.25|impgal|abbr=on}} |coolantcap = {{convert|80|impgal|abbr=on}} |watercap = |sandcap = {{convert|10|cuft|m3|abbr=on}} |powersupply = |consumption = |watercons = |primemover = [[Caterpillar Inc.|Caterpillar]] D379 series B |rpmrange = 550-1400 |enginetype = [[Four-stroke engine|Four-stroke]] [[V8 engine|V8]] [[Diesel engine|diesel]] |aspiration = [[Turbocharger|Turbocharged]] |displacement = |alternator = |generator = |tractionmotors = |headendpower = |cylindercount = 8 |cylindersize = {{convert|6.25|x|8|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |transmission = [[Voith]] L4r4U2, with [[Gmeinder]] Type GM170/EHA/469 and GM170/E/327B drives |multipleworking = |maxspeed = {{convert|40|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} |poweroutput = ''Gross:''<br> {{convert|700|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}},<br>''For traction:''<br> {{convert|650|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} |tractiveeffort = ''Continuous:''<br> {{convert|25000|lbf|kN|2|abbr=on}}<br> at {{convert|5.4|mph|km/h|2|abbr=on}} |factorofadhesion = |trainheating = |locobrakes = |locobrakeforce = |trainbrakes = |safety = |operator = [[New South Wales Government Railways]] |operatorclass = |powerclass = |numinclass = 50 |fleetnumbers = 7301-7350 |officialname = |nicknames = |axleloadclass = |locale = |deliverydate = |firstrundate = 5 October 1970 |lastrundate = |retiredate = |withdrawndate = |preservedunits = 7307, 7320, 7321, 7324, 7329, 7335, 7344, 7350 |restoredate = |scrapdate = |currentowner = Invicta Sucrogen<br>Mackay Sugar<br>Plane Creek Sucrogen<br>Proserpine Mill |disposition = 15 in service, 8 preserved, 16 stored, 11 scrapped}} The '''73 class''' are a diesel-hydraulic locomotive built by [[Walkers Limited]], [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]] for the [[New South Wales Government Railways]] between 1970 and 1973. ==History== [[File:Green 7344.jpg|thumb|250px|right|7344 shunts at [[Central railway station, Sydney|Sydney Central]] in October 1991 painted in experimental [[FreightCorp]] green livery]] The [[New South Wales Government Railways]] placed an order in October 1969 with [[Walkers Limited]], [[Maryborough, Queensland|Maryborough]] for 20 Bo-Bo shunting locomotives.<ref name=LOberg>{{cite book|author=Oberg, Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1854-2007|year=2007|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|isbn=1-877058-54-8|page=328}}</ref> These were the only New South Wales locomotives to be built in [[Queensland]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Clark|first=Peter J|title=An Australian Diesel Locomotive Pocketbook|publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society NSW Division|year=1973|isbn=0-909650-02-0}}</ref> ==Delivery== The first unit was delivered in October 1970. When the whole of the first order had arrived, all steam shunting on the [[North Coast railway line, New South Wales|North Coast line]] and the [[Sydney]] [[Metropolitan area#Australia|Metropolitan area]], as well as at [[Goulburn, New South Wales|Goulburn]] had been replaced. In July 1971 a further 30 units were ordered. The last of these arrived in March 1973 and this brought to an end all remaining steam shunting operations in New South Wales.<ref name=LOberg/> ==In traffic== The New South Wales Government Railways purchased the class mainly for shunting and their prohibition from mainline use was 'officially' due to the lack of [[vigilance control]]s. However, despite its absence, the class was still seen on many suburban trip workings and when mainline operation was a necessity, there seemed to be no hesitation to use them. One advantage a diesel-hydraulic locomotive has over a diesel-electric variety is its ability to negotiate up to 300mm of water over the tracks. Big floods in March 1976 gave 7323 an opportunity to show off its swimming ability when water covered the line near [[Bourke, New South Wales|Bourke]] and this locomotive was used on a couple of freight trains and a ballast train from [[Nyngan]] to Bourke and return. At least two other occasions when their water resistance was put to use was [[Menindee railway station|Menindee]] in 1976 and [[Hexham railway station, New South Wales|Hexham]] in 1977. Multiple unit operation was common, although the flood event at Hexham is the only known occurrence of triple-heading. A number of units were fitted with [[scrubber|exhaust gas scrubber]]s for use on [[Eastern Suburbs railway line|Eastern Suburbs Railway]] construction in the 1970s.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Australian Model Railway Magazine|date=November–December 1978|pages=18–25}}</ref> ==Depot allocation== As an example of the spread of the members of the class throughout the system, the fleet was allocated as follows as at 30 August 1977: {| class=wikitable ! Depot!!Allocation |- |[[Eveleigh Railway Workshops|Eveleigh]]||7301–7314, 7317, 7321, 7339–7345 |- |[[Goulburn Railway Workshops|Goulburn]]||7315, 7316 |- |Cootamundra||7319 |- |[[Junee Roundhouse Railway Museum|Junee]]||7320 (actually working at Albury) |- |Lithgow||7326 |- |Orange||7322 |- |Dubbo||7323, 7324 |- |Parkes||7325 |- |[[Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot|Broadmeadow]]||7327–7338 |- |South Grafton||7318 |- |Werris Creek||7346 (actually working at West Tamworth), 7347 |- |Yeerongpilly||7348–7350 |} ==Withdrawal== [[File:CRT Group loco 7334.jpg|thumb|[[CRT Group]] shunter 7334 at the [[Altona, Victoria|Altona]] terminal in 2007]] With a reduction in locomotive hauled passenger trains and the closure of a number of yards, withdrawals began in February 1987.<ref>"Locomotives" ''[[Railway Digest]]'' March 1987 page 80</ref> By October 1991 only three remained in service with [[FreightCorp]].<ref>"73 Class" ''Railway Digest'' January 1992 page 22</ref> One was repainted into [[CountryLink]] livery for use as a depot shunter at the [[XPT Service Centre]]. Disposals commenced in 1990 with three sold to the [[Canberra Railway Museum]].<ref>"Saving Diesels" ''Railway Digest'' September 1990 page 330</ref> Four were sold to the [[Manildra Group]] in 1991.<ref>"73 Class" ''Railway Digest'' November 1991 page 415</ref> Many were sold to Queensland sugar cane companies for conversion to {{RailGauge|610mm}} gauge.<ref>[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/class/263 73 Class (Rebuilds, 610mm)] Railpage</ref> A number have also been preserved.<ref>"73 class get a new lease of life" ''Railway Digest'' May 2000 page 36</ref><ref>[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/class/262/ 73 class] Railpage</ref><ref>[http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=locomotives&class=73&orgstate=N&type=Diesel-Hydraulic 73 Class] Vicsig</ref> 7301 & 7344 were placed on [[RailCorp]]'s Heritage & Conservation Register.<ref>[http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807251 Locomotive, Diesel Shunting 7301] Department of Environment & Heritage.</ref><ref>[http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=4807250 Locomotive, Diesel Shunting 7344] Department of Environment & Heritage</ref> 7301 was subsequently scrapped in January 2014.<ref>[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/73-class/7301] Railpage</ref><ref>[http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=locomotives&number=7301&class=73&type=Diesel-Hydraulic&orgstate=N] Vicsig</ref> ===Preserved=== The following are held by recognised preservation organisations: *7307 & 7321: Owned by the [[Oberon Tarana Heritage Railway]], both in [[Patrick Corporation|Patrick Portlink]] red and yellow livery<ref name=DigestJun10>"Touring the Classics" ''Railway Digest'' June 2010 page 24</ref><ref>[http://othr.com.au/rolling-stock/locomotives/ Locomotives] Orana Tarana Heritage Railway</ref> *7320 & 7324: Privately owned, currently stored in [[Canberra]] *7329 & 7335: Owned by the [[Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum]] *7344: Owned by [[Transport Heritage NSW]], in the custody of [[3801 Limited]] at [[Eveleigh Railway Workshops]] until 2017 Stored *7350: Owned by [[Transport Heritage NSW]], stored at the [[Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot]] and restored for use as Depot shunter ===Sold=== The following units were sold for further commercial operation, some being converted to {{RailGauge|610mm}}: *7304, 7306, 7308 & 7341: all stored in original condition at the former North Eton Mill shed and owned by the [[Mackay, Queensland|Mackay]] Sugar Limited *7305, 7328, 7330 & 7331: all rebuilt and operational at Farleigh Mill *7309, 7336 & 7347: all stored in original condition at Kalamia Mill, [[Ayr, Queensland|Ayr]] *7310, 7318, 7325, 7346 & 7348: all rebuilt and operational at Invicta Mill *7313: rebuilt and operational at Pleystowe Mill *7314 & 7339: both rebuilt and operational at [[Proserpine, Queensland|Proserpine]] Mill *7315 & 7319: restored and operational at Shoalhaven Starches, [[Bomaderry, New South Wales|Bomaderry]], owned by the [[Manildra Group]] both ex [[Canberra Railway Museum]]<ref name=DigestJun10/> *7317: rebuilt and operational at Plane Creek Mill *7327 & 7332: both stored in derelict condition at Mackay Sugar Co-op *7337 & 7343: both rebuilt and operational at Marian Mill *7340: restored and operational at [[Narrandera, New South Wales|Narranderra]] Mill, owned by the Manildra Group<ref name=DigestJun10/> *7349: stored in original form at Pioneer Mill, [[Brandon, Queensland|Brandon]] *7322 & 7333: both stored and are now owned by the Manildra Group both ex [[CRT Group]] *7319 & 7322 & 7333: have been purchased by a local company in Goulburn and are currently stored in the Goulburn Locomotive Depot with 7333 being restored to operating condition inside the roundhouse ==See also== [[Queensland Railways DH class]]<br /> [[Victorian_Railways_Y_class_(diesel)]] ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==Further reading== *{{cite book|title=New South Wales Rail System Locomotives|publisher=Archives Section, State Rail Authority of New South Wales|location=Sydney|year=1984}} {{NSWLocos|state=collapsed}} [[Category:Bo-Bo locomotives]] [[Category:Diesel-hydraulic locomotives of Australia]] [[Category:Diesel locomotives of New South Wales]] [[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1970]] [[Category:Walkers Limited locomotives]] [[Category:Standard gauge locomotives of Australia]]'