F Class Diesel Electric
F 43
Builder
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| Type A1A-A1A diesel electric |
| Engine English Electric 6SRKT |
| Horsepower 790 |
| Total weight 64.8 tons |
| Number built 7 Road Numbers 40-46 |
The F class diesel electric locomotives were ordered by the Midland Railway Company of WA and entered service in 1958 in maroon livery. At this time the Midland Railway required major rehabilitation. The steam locomotive fleet was in need of extensive overhaul. The purchase of the F class diesels enabled traffic to be hauled more efficiently. The cost however of repaying the loan taken to purchase the locomotives negated the savings made on running costs.
In 1963 the State Government accepted an offer by the Midland Railway to sell the railway. The liquidation of the Midland Railway was finalised on 1st august 1964 and the F class passed into WAGR ownership. Under the WAGR the class was mainly used on branch line workings such as Pemberton to Northcliffe in the southwest and on shunts in suburban Perth as depicted in the photo above, of F 43 at Swan Cement in Rivervale. The bulk of the class was withdrawn in 1987. F 43 however soldiered on until 1990 when it was delivered to the ARHS museum at Bassendean for preservation.