NSWGR Class 46
  
Type Electric (1500V DC) 
Introduced 1956 (46 class) 
1952 (71 class) 
Number in class 41; 0 in service 
Manufacturer Metropolitan Vickers (46 class) 
NSWGR (71 class) 
Gauge Standard  
Axles Co+Co  
Length 16.44 m (46 class) 
16.87 m (71 class) 
Mass 110 t 
Electrical equipment Beyer-Peacock (46 class) 
AEI (71 class) 
Traction motors MV272 (46 class) 
MV179 (71 class) 
Power 2535 kW / 3400 HP 
Tractive effort 335 / 181 kN  
Speed 115 km/h 


The 46 class were mostly used on the Blue Mountiains, Gosford, and Illawarra lines, typically for coal and freight haulage. They have also seen work on passenger services "under the wires". In the last few years, all of the class were withdrawn, at least partly due to replacement by more modern electric locos. Following recent scrappings, only 5 of the class are still around. 
4638 had its "15 minutes of fame", being portrayed as 4620 in The Day of The Roses, a mini-series about the Granville disaster. 

7100 was a training unit for the 46 class, and was originally numbered 4501. 
© Copyright John Cleverdon 