"To promote the appreciation of Queensland's railway heritage and to maintain authenticity in the recording and preservation of this heritage"
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QR DEL 1203 waits for the train examiner to complete his duties as it sits in Normanby Yard, Brisbane during 1979. The return empty stock working to Rockhampton was a typical working for the 1200 Class in their last years. 1203 was withdrawn on 17 January 1980. © Bruce Russell 1999 |
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1206 on an ARHS "mystery" tour (hence the destination board) to farewell the 1200 class. Photo : B. Webber   |
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View from the cab of 1206 on the mystery tour while at Roma St. 17/10/1981. Photo : G. Cash |
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1206's control station. 17/10/1981. Photo G. Cash |
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Engine room of 1206, clearly visible is one of the Napier turbo's. 17/10/1981. Photo : G. Cash |
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1206 at Indooroopilly during the mystery tour, 1981. Note the EMU on far platform - only 2 tracks are wired at this time. Photo : G. Cash |
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Advertising campaign featuring QR DEL 1208. |
| 1225 class (one off) | |
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This locomotive is a compilation of QR DEL 1206, 1208,1252,1253 and some Clyde panels. It's original number before rebuilding was 1208 and all removable panels bear the number 1208. Until the 1550 to 2300 maxi overhauls this locomotive was the only locomotive altered from original appearance. It was later converted into a full width nose/ half hood design and re-entered service as 1225 in 1985. This locomotive finally retired in 1987 and was switched off officially on 2 February 1988. It survives in preservation.
DEL 1225 is shown here contemplating its fate on Redbank workshops condemned line in 1988 before preservation by the ARHSQ. © G.Lythall |
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The 1200 class locomotives were built at VULCAN Foundry for English Electric. They are powered by an English Electric 12SVT four stroke engine. The first in service was 1201 on 3 July 1953 and the last was 1207 on 2 September 1954. This was a full 5 months after 1209 which entered service on 5 April 1954. Once again a class leader failed to be the first of its class on QR rails as locomotive 1200 entered service on 21 July 1953.
The 1200 class were the only fully enclosed streamlined type on QR and as such encountered problems requiring turning at the end of each trip. This class was the only early Diesel Electric Locomotive class not renumbered enmass during their service life.
Locomotive 1202 was the first of the class taken one out of service - 21 March 1977 - and was the last cut up by QR in January 1991. This locomotive never received the livery that all the other class members received.
The last two 1200 class locomotives in traffic were 1206 and 1208. 1206 was withdrawn with front headstock damage and 1208 then received 1206's prime mover and generator.
The 1200 class was finally withdrawn with 1208 on 13 February 1984. Locomotive 1200 is the only class member to survive as a "covered wagon". Locomotive 1208, was a star in its prime, and it featured in advertising campaigns promoting the efficiency of the English Electric product. It was rebuilt into 1225.
Specifications :
Running numbers : 1200-1209
Number in class : 10
Year in service : 1953
Number in service/preserved : 0/1
Model : N/A
Wheel Arrangement : Co-Co
Engine : English-Electric 12SVT (MkII)
Generator: EE828A
Power
- Engine rated : 954kW (1280hp)
- Continuous Tractive Effort : 136kN@20.4kph (30500lbs@12.7mph)