Australian Metrovicks

[Mayner]

For an idea of what the CIE A Class originally sounded like a series of videos of Western Australian Metrovicks on suburban passenger duties a late as 1986.

[video=youtube;c3L-XaV66Ds]

 

Perhaps maintenance was better, but the most striking thing is the lack of the smoke screen seen in photos and videos of the Irish Metrovicks.

 

The State Government would have been reluctant to invest in re-building or replacing the Metrovicks as lines were closed or converted to standard gauge

Edited October 22, 2015 by Mayner

[DiveController]

Crossley engines, John?

[aclass007]

Nice find!

 

Yes, the Crossley engine, DC.....

[enniscorthyman]

Crossley engines were originally in the

A and C class,but proved very unreliable

in service,hence they were replaced by GM engines.

[jhb171achill]

That brings back memories!

[burnthebox]

Hi guys, first, thanks fr sharing that, now anyone mind telling me ( hope I'm not seeing things ) what the wheel arrangement is on that loco, thanks in advance,

[enniscorthyman]

The wheel arrangement does look strange.

[Broithe]

http://nicwhe8.freehostia.com/d5705/australia/australia.html

[Garfield]

That's a 2-Do-2 wheel arrangement.

[Broithe]

[Broithe]

[BosKonay]

In simple terms, you have a front and rear bogie to 'lead' the loco into turns, and 8 driving wheels, fixed, in the centre

[burnthebox]

Thanks guys, now is that: 2-DO-2 " double " like 2-DOUBLE-2 ??

[Mayner]

The Crossley engine in the WAGR locos were supposed to have been an earlier version to that fitted to the A Class and Co Bos . Interestingly the Australians de-rated the engines which seem to have solved most of the problems and the relatively long life of the locos.

 

http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/x-class-diesel-wa

 

Apart from the Metrovicks Western Australia seem to buy locos in small batches from different manufacturers including Alco, English Electric & GM.

 

Not sure why they went for the 2-Do-2 wheel arrangement, possibly difficulty fitting the traction motors between the wheels on the narrow gauge, as far away as possible from dust on Outback lines or possibly track better on very light rails on branch lines.

 

All later classes were conventional Australian double bogie designs

Edited October 23, 2015 by Mayner