49 Class

The 49 class were branchline diesel-electric locomotives ordered and operated by the New South Wales Government Railways, similar to the 48 and 47 classes. When they were ordered from Clyde Engineering at Granville, New South Wales they were ordered in 3 batches, each of six locomotives: 4901 to 4906, 4907 to 4912 and finally 4913 to 4918. This was to keep Clyde interested in staying in New South Wales.

On delivery they were initially placed into service in the Central West of NSW and worked on all branchlines as well as mainlines. The need for these locomotives was to replace the last steam locomotives that were in government service in country locations, and were quite trouble free riders.

The locomotives had an EMD 8-567CR engine, EMD D25E generator, EMD D29 traction motors. They also were rated at 710 kW/950 HP, weighing in at 80t. They have a length of 15.35m, rode on standard gauge Co-Co bogies and had a top speed of 124 km/h.

These locomotives were retired in the 1990s along with fellow classes in their generation. The classes were bought out by various rail companies, including Ritz Rail, Interail, Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia, The Manildra Group and Patricks Portlink. Five have been scrapped, with one totally destroyed in a scrapyard incinerator. All remaining operational units are now limited to 100km/h:


 * 4907: in service as shunter with Manildra Group (now renumbered MM01)
 * 4908: in service with Greentrains, now Southern Shorthaul Railroad
 * 4913: in service as shunter with Manildra Group (now renumbered MM02)
 * 4918: preserved by 3801 Limited, then Dorrigo Steam Railway & Museum
 * 49XX: preserved by Lachlan Valley Railway
 * 49XX: preserved by Transport Heritage NSW