7921 (Frank Archer)
DE91 (Stephen Cleverdon)
Locomotive numbers: 7920-7923
Model Number: 44T
| Type | Diesel-Electric |
| Introduced | 1943 |
| Number in class | 4 |
| Manufacturer | GE, USA |
| Gauge | Standard |
| Axles | Bo-Bo |
| Length | 10.72 m |
| Mass | 40 t |
| Engine | Caterpillar 8-D17000 |
| Generator | GE 5GT555A |
| Traction motors | GE 733 |
| Power | 285 kW / 380 HP |
| Tractive effort | 120 / 60 kN |
| Speed | 56 / 12 km/h |
The 79 class was the first diesel-electric loco in Australia. They
were bought second-hand from the US Army during the Second World War,
and were trialled as shunters in the Sydney area. One was also trialled
by AI&S at Port Kembla. Two of the class were later transferred to
the Dept. of
Defence for shunting at Woomera, before going to become ANR's DE class.
The other two were transferred to
Christmas
Island for use on the railway serving the phosphate mine.
Preserved locomotives:
| 7921 | Rail Transport Museum, Thirlmere |
| DE91 |
National Railway Museum |
| Loco | Serial # | In Service | Comments |
| 7920 | 17938 | 7/1944 | Sold to Christmas Island as 9401 |
| 7921 | 17939 | 7/1944 | To Woomera, then ANR as DE90, In service 7-1950 Later returned as 7921 Preserved - operational |
| 7922 | 17933 | 7/1944 | Sold to Woomera, then ANR as DE91, In service 7-1950 Preserved |
| 7923 | 17934 | 12/1945 | Sold to Christmas Island as 9402 |
Introduction
© Copyright John Cleverdon