Electric Locomotive No 4601

1. Exhibit History

Locomotive 4601 was the second electric locomotive to operate on the NSWGR (7100 alias 4501 being the first) and was the first of a class of forty to be constructed by Metropolitan Vickers Electrical Co. Ltd - Beyer, Peacock & Co. Ltd at Stockton on Tees Great Britain.

4601 arrived from Great Britain aboard the M.V. "Chilka" on the 15th May 1956, and was place in service on 25th June 1956.

The class was purchased in order to meet the need servicing the growing rail traffic over the Blue Mountains including prediction that the Western Coalfields would experience an upsurge in coal production in the near future. The predictions of large coal traffic movements did not eventuate, and numbers of the class spent time in storage.

Electrifying the Short North as far as Gosford provided an adequate use for the 46 class which took over in numbers displacing other classes of locomotive (both steam and diesel) to Gosford where a change of motive power was required in order to reach destinations further north.

4601's first duty was to replace 4501 (7100) on the Penrith commuter trains that the latter hauled. As the electrification progressed further to the ultimate western destination of Lithgow, the 46 class took over "The Fish" and other commuter trains on the mountains as well as replacing steam locomotives assisting western goods trains from Penrith to Katoomba.

The benefits of electrification were said to provide operating costs at 40% less than the previous steam operations. The introduction of the 46 Class enabled the removal of steam operations completely from the arduous mountain crossing. The class was used on all freight and passenger services over the mountains.

The 46 class gained notoriety by being involved in the Granville train disaster where 4620 struck a stanchion supporting an overhead bridge bringing it down on the following carriages that were crowded with commuters from the Mountains and stations in between.

The class were originally primitive in their cab fittings and comforts. Heaters were added at a later date; despite the fact the class were primarily purchased to work traffic over the Blue Mountains. Also the seating for the crew was extremely primitive and after many back injuries were sustained by crews, these were also upgraded. The problem was due to the type of suspension used in the bogies.

Interestingly enough, when further electric locomotives were required to cater for the upsurge in traffic, Metropolitan Vickers tendered to supply the 50 locomotives in the format of the 46 class but in its Type 2 variant which included washing facilities (toilet included) and a much longer body with upgraded suspension. The design was of a similar pattern to the Class 86's used by British Rail. It seems ironic that the design that was settled on by the SRA bore the class number of "86".

During their lifespan the class received six different paint schemes (all the class received a change of livery - but not all of the six paint schemes applied to the class). With the electrification of the Blue Mountains the class were allotted to Valley Heights with servicing being carried out at DELEC on a required basis. With the closure of Valley Heights as a depot the class were allotted to Port Kembla and finally DELEC just prior to their demise. Locomotive 4601 was withdrawn from service on 17th May 1994. Technical Details:

Tare weight: 112 tons Traction Motor Type: Metropolitan Vickers MV 272

No. of traction motors: 6

Body: Pressed metal.

Couplings: Knuckle type with buffers.

Height (over pantograph - stowed): 14' 6"

2. Collection History

Locomotive 4601 was purchased outright by the NSW Rail Transport Museum and was returned to Valley Heights where it now resides awaiting restoration.

Locomotive 4601 is listed as an NSWRTM exhibit because it demonstrates the first mass-produced class of electric locomotive. They were used from 1956 to 1995 by the NSWGR/SRA to provide motive power for all types of trains, be it lightweight expresses or freight trains and taking over the banking duties at Hawkesbury River and Valley Heights, displacing steam locomotives allotted to this duty.

Its inclusion in the display at the Valley Heights museum bears testimony to that former depots' long association with the 46 class of locomotive.

3. Statement of Significance

Locomotive 4601 is one of a number of surviving examples of the "Metropolitan-Vickers Beyer Peacock" style of electric locomotive of the twentieth century which brought about a further modernisation of the NSWGR system.

It displays some ongoing features (regenerative brake, ease of changing ends without having to exit the locomotive) of that era in the adoption of standardised body construction, common components and steel fabrication.

Locomotive 4601 also retains the flag holders fitted to the Number One End for the inaugural run of the Indian Pacific from Sydney in 1970

Equally important is that this electric locomotive displays the result of a complete change in body design.

This electric locomotive performed as part of the mid-twentieth century railway motive power and has strong period qualities.

The alterations to this electric locomotive demonstrates how the railways modified locomotives in line with technological and commercial developments.

The locomotive is also a reminder of the very strong social impact that electrification played in the community of the Blue Mountains. It represents the operational changes that eventually led to the demise of Valley Heights as an operational locomotive depot.

The RTM Exhibits Management Group will recommend that 4601 be placed on the State Heritage Register as an item of State Significance.