NSWGR 48 Class

The 48 Class are a diesel electric locomotive ordered by the New South Wales Government Railways from 1959. Once the most ubiquitous locomotive in New South Wales (and Australia), the locomotives were built by A. E. Goodwin, based on Alco frames and prime movers, using General Electric (later AEI) electrical equipment. With 165 examples of the type built over 11 years, the 48 Class was a common sight on lines all over New South Wales. The South Australian Railways 830 class were of a very similar design.

Description
The 48 Class have an Alco 6-251B prime mover delivering 1,060 horsepower, and have a maximum speed of 120 km/h (now limited to 100km/h by TfNSW). They ride on standard gauge Co-Co bogies, are 14.76 metres long, and weigh 75t. They were delivered in four batches:


 * Mark I: 4801 – 4845
 * Mark II: 4846 – 4885
 * Mark III: 4886 – 48125
 * Mark IV: 48126 – 48165 (upgraded version with additional draw capacity)

Some have now been renumbered into the 482xx series (after refurbishment by GrainCorp), PL class (after refurbishment by FreightCorp) or 48s class (by Silverton Rail to match similar locomotives that they alreaydo owned).

Various members of the 48 Class have had a total of Seven liveries over their more than 40 years of service. On delivery they wore the standard NSWGR Tuscan livery (to which some preserved locomotives have been restored), but since then have worn the State Rail Authority’s 'Candy' scheme, along with FreightCorp's plain blue, in which most locomotives remain. Some have gained Pacific National markings. The two operated by Sydney Trains are now painted in orange with the Sydney Trains logo.

History
The 48 class were ordered to replace steam locomotives on branch line services, with the first locomotive, 4801, being delivered in October 1959. Most of the fleet was retired in the 1990s, however some were transferred to freight operators. To this day, a small number remain in service with Pacific National and Southern Shorthaul Railroad, as shunters or middle locomotives. A small number are reportedly owned by One Rail Australia, Junee Railway Workshop and Progress Rail, however it is unknown whether they are still in service. Two (4819/4827) remain in service with Sydney Trains, mostly used for shunting XPT carriages.

Currently there are seven preserved locomotives, five of them in operational status:
 * 4801: RailCorp Office of Rail Heritage, stored at Broadmeadow.
 * 4803: New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, Thirlmere, NSW. Operational.
 * 4805: RailCorp Office of Rail Heritage, stored at Broadmeadow.
 * 4807: Australian Railway Historical Society - Canberra Railway Museum. Operational.
 * 4821: Goulburn Rail Heritage Centre Operational.
 * 4822: Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum.
 * 4833: Privately owned by Goodwin ALCo Ltd, operated by 3801 Limited. Operational.