Railways and Tramways of Australia
48 Class
48160 shunting at Gunnedah, New South Wales, 5 January 2017.
Road numbers:
4814, 4816, 4819–20, 4827–28, 4836, 4843, 4894, 48101, 48103, 48119–20, 48123, 48127, 48130, 48138, 48143–4, 48153, 48156, 48159–62, 48164–5, 48201–9, 48211–18, 48s33–48s34, 48s36
Operator:
GrainCorp (48201–9, 48211–18); Junee Railway Workshop (4814, 4816, 4820, 4836); Pacific National (4894, 48101, 48103, 48119–20, 48123, 48127, 48130, 48138, 48143–4, 48153, 48156, 48159–62, 48164–5); Sydney Trains (4819, 4827); Southern Shorthaul Railroad (4828, 48s33–4, 48s36, 4843)
Gauge:
1435 mm
Year of entry into service:
1959
Number built:
165
Model:
DL531
Manufacturer:
AE Goodwin
Manufacturing location:
St Marys, NSW (4801); Auburn, NSW (4802–165)
Engine:
Alco 251B
Traction power:
708 kW
Wheel arrangement:
Co-Co
Weight:
75.2 t (4801–85); 77.8 (4886–165)
Length:
13.5 m
First entering service with the Department of Railways in New South Wales in 1959, the 48 Class eventually comprised 165 units, which made them for many decades the most numerous of any class of diesel locomotive in Australia. Units 4886–165 had larger fuel tanks than earlier deliveries. Designated branch line units, they provided reliable service in a range of duties, including freight and passenger work. Seven were rebuilt as the PL Class and others have been renumbered. Various members of the 48 Class remain in service with different operators.