B Class Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive
B1601
Five B class diesel hydraulic shunting engines were built by Comeng in 1962 for the WAGR, & the first of these was B.1601, which entered service on 21 March, 1962. Another five locomotives, with sloping cab sides for working the Fremantle Wharves where there were limited clearances, were built in 1965. The class was powered by V12 Cummins diesel engines, developing 473 h.p. (353 k/w) for traction purposes. The locos spent all their working lives in the Perth metropolitan area. B.1601 was retired to the Midland Workshops on 18 June, 1984 & was written off with the other members of the class on 28 September, 1984. About April, 1987 it was transferred to the Rail Transport Museum, where it was preserved in working order. During mid 1991 the loco was given a new lease on life when it was loaned to Goninans for use as a yard shunter, after which it was overhauled & returned to the Museum during 1992. The locomotive is currently operational and used for shunting around the museum site.