Australian Railway Historical Society (ACT Division)

Diesel-electric Locomotive 4807 Diesel-electric locomotive 4807 is the major operational diesel locomotive used by the ACT Division of the Australian Railway Historical Society. It hauls many of the Society's long-distance tour trains, often being coupled with locomotives from other organisations when more motive power is required. Built in 1959, 4807 is owned by the State Rail Authority and is on loan to the Society. Before coming to Canberra Railway Museum, this State Rail-owned heritage unit was on loan to the Regional Heritage Transport Association (RHTA) at Junee for static display. When the locomotive was delivered to Canberra on 26 May 2002, it had been out of service for some 7 years. It required attention to its batteries and a few minor items for its return to service in 2003. The bodywork was in fair condition and the Society restored the locomotive livery back to its "as built" colours of Indian red and chrome yellow. Currently (July 2008) the locomotive is housed at Junee awaiting a major overhaul. Background details 4807 was one of 165 units which made up the NSW's 48 class which began service late in 1959 to replace steam locomotives working on light branch lines. Their light axle load and ability to work in tandem meant they were useful far beyond the branch lines. Rated at 780kW (1,050hp), gradually these locomotives became well-known "work horses" right around the State's rail system, hauling both passenger and freight trains. 4807 was built by A. E. Goodwin Ltd and has a General Electric turbo supercharged 4 stroke engine with six cylinders. Her axle load is 12 tonnes (12.3 tons), and total weight is 75 tonnes (74 tons). The wheels are in two sets of three axles (Co-Co arrangement), with each wheel having a diameter of 1,016mm (40in). 4807 is 14.76 metres (48ft 5in) long over coupling faces, 4.27m (14ft) high, and 2.97 metres (9ft 9in) wide. Her tanks carry 2,270 litres (500 gallons) of fuel oil, 530 litres (116 gallons) of lubricating oil, 410 litres (90 gallons) of cooling water and .28 cubic metres (10 cubic feet) of sand. She was built to have a maximum speed of 120km/h (75mph).

Click on picture for larger image; use your 'Back' button to return to this page    In FreightCorp livery in 2002    Departing Bungendore    Restored to original livery, 2003    Charter train, Goulburn 2004

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