X1025 (Graham Ringer)
XA1401 (Graham Ringer)
XB1027 (Graham Ringer)
| Locomotive numbers: | X1001-1032 XA1401-1416 XB1004,6,8,17,18,20,22,24,27,32 |
Model Number:
| Type | Diesel-Electric |
| Introduced | 1954 (X) 1956 (XA) 1963 (XB) |
| Number in class | 32 (X) 16 (XA) 10 (XB) |
| Manufacturer | Metropolitan Vickers & Beyer, Peacock |
| Gauge | Narrow |
| Axles | 2-Do-2 |
| Length | 14.63 m |
| Mass | 80 t |
| Engine | Crossley HSTV8 |
| Generator | MV TG4203 |
| Traction motors | MV 136 |
| Power | 825 kW / 1105 HP |
| Tractive effort | 116 / 53 kN |
| Speed | 89 / 39 km/h |
The X class were the first mainline diesels on the WA network, and
they had the distinction of being one of the most unusual locos to
appear in Australia.
This included an engine that had evolved from a marine engine,
and
the unqiue 2-Do-2 wheel arrangement. They were not the most reliable of
locos,
with regular engine problems and vibration, and smoky exhausts.
Regardless
of this, some of the class remained in service untill the early 80's,
although
most have now been scrapped. They were used for both passenger and
freight
services, and were particularly useful on branchlines, where their low
axle
weight suited lightly-laid track.
The XA class were built with multi-unit controls, and 10 of the X class
were
rebuilt with the same to become the XB class.
Preserved locomotives:
| X1001 | ARHS-Bassendean Railway Museum |
| XA1401 | Hotham Valley Railway Society |
| XA1402 | ARHS-Bassendean Railway Museum |
| XA1403 | Static display - Gosnells, Perth (cab only) |
| XA1405 | ARHS-Bassendean Railway Museum |
| XA1411 | Hotham Valley Railway Society |
| XA1415 | Narrogin (static display) |
Named locomotives:
| X1001 | Yalagonga | X1002 | Bibbulmun |
| X1003 | Ditu-Wonga | X1004/XB1004 | Kadjerden |
| X1005 | Meananger | X1006/XB1006 | Nangamada |
| X1007 | Natingaro | X1008/XB1008 | Warrangoo |
| X1009 | Arnga | X1010 | Arawodi |
| X1011 | Balgua | X1012 | Ballardong |
| X1013 | Boonara | X1014 | Churoro |
| X1015 | Cheangwa | X1016 | Djukin |
| X1017/XB1017 | Ewenyoon | X1018/XB1018 | Inpirra |
| X1019 | Ingarra | X1020/XB1020 | Jargurdi |
| X1021 | Jarroo | X1022/XB1022 | Kardagur |
| X1023 | Kariera | X1024/XB1024 | Kogara |
| X1025 | Loonga | X1026 | Mangala |
| X1027/XB1027 | Marangal | X1028 | Meeraman |
| X1029 | Muliarra | X1030 | Mooroon |
| X1031 | Yauera | X1032/XB1032 | Yeithi |
| XA1401 | Pedong | XA1402 | Targari |
| XA1403 | Wanbiri | XA1404 | Pardoo |
| XA1405 | Warienga | XA1406 | Ungarinyin |
| XA1407 | Wirngir | XA1408 | Wolmeri |
| XA1409 | Unambal | XA1410 | Tenma |
| XA1411 | Weedookarri | XA1412 | Noala |
| XA1413 | Yabaroo | XA1414 | Yindi |
| XA1415 | Wurara | XA1416 | Niligara |
All of the X/XA/XB classes are named after Aboriginal tribes in WA.
As it turns out, some of these names were spelt incorrectly by
Westrail, while
other tribes were named twice.
| Loco | Serial # | In Service | Comments |
| X1001 | 830 | 3/1954 | Preserved |
| X1002 | 831 | 4/1954 | Scrapped |
| X1003 | 832 | 4/1954 | Scrapped |
| X1004 | 833 | 5/1954 | Rebuilt as XB1004 |
| X1005 | 834 | 6/1954 | Scrapped |
| X1006 | 835 | 8/1954 | Rebuilt as XB1006 |
| X1007 | 836 | 9/1954 | Scrapped |
| X1008 | 837 | 10/1954 | Rebuilt as XB1008 |
| X1009 | 838 | 12/1954 | Scrapped |
| X1010 | 839 | 11/1954 | Scrapped |
| X1011 | 840 | 12/1954 | Scrapped |
| X1012 | 841 | 12/1954 | Scrapped |
| X1013 | 842 | 12/1954 | Scrapped |
| X1014 | 843 | 2/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1015 | 844 | 2/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1016 | 845 | 2/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1017 | 846 | 2/1955 | Rebuilt as XB1017 |
| X1018 | 847 | 3/1955 | Rebuilt as XB1018 |
| X1019 | 848 | 4/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1020 | 849 | 4/1955 | Rebuilt as XB1020 |
| X1021 | 850 | 5/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1022 | 851 | 6/1955 | Rebuilt as XB1022 |
| X1023 | 852 | 5/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1024 | 853 | 5/1955 | Rebuilt as XB1024 |
| X1025 | 854 | 6/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1026 | 855 | 6/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1027 | 856 | 6/1955 | Rebuilt as XB1027 |
| X1028 | 857 | 8/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1029 | 858 | 7/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1030 | 859 | 8/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1031 | 876 | 8/1955 | Scrapped |
| X1032 | 877 | 9/1955 | Rebuilt as XB1032 |
| XA1401 | 860 | 9/1955 | Preserved - operational |
| XA1402 | 861 | 10/1955 | Preserved |
| XA1403 | 862 | 11/1955 | Preserved |
| XA1404 | 863 | 11/1955 | Scrapped |
| XA1405 | 864 | 12/1955 | Preserved |
| XA1406 | 865 | 11/1955 | Scrapped |
| XA1407 | 866 | 12/1955 | Scrapped |
| XA1408 | 867 | 1/1956 | Scrapped |
| XA1409 | 868 | 2/1956 | Scrapped |
| XA1410 | 869 | 3/1956 | Scrapped |
| XA1411 | 870 | 3/1956 | Preserved |
| XA1412 | 871 | 5/1956 | Scrapped |
| XA1413 | 872 | 6/1956 | Scrapped |
| XA1414 | 873 | 6/1956 | Scrapped |
| XA1415 | 874 | 7/1956 | Preserved |
| XA1416 | 875 | 7/1956 | Scrapped |
| XB1004 | 833 | 7/1965 | Scrapped |
| XB1006 | 835 | 2/1968 | Scrapped |
| XB1008 | 837 | 12/1967 | Scrapped |
| XB1017 | 846 | 5/1968 | Scrapped |
| XB1018 | 847 | 2/1964 | Scrapped |
| XB1020 | 849 | 12/1964 | Scrapped |
| XB1022 | 851 | 11/1967 | Scrapped |
| XB1024 | 853 | 9/1966 | Scrapped |
| XB1027 | 856 | 3/1968 | Scrapped |
| XB1032 | 877 | 12/1963 | Scrapped |
Introduction
© Copyright John Cleverdon