4401 – Leader of the Revolution

The return of 4401 to the Junee Roundhouse has had a few people asking why this locomotive is significant. Many people remember seeing locomotives just like it in this area and, after all, there were a hundred of them made and they ran on just about all major lines going north, south and west across NSW. They were quite a common sight on the southern line. Four class members are still based at Junee.

Well, perhaps it is the fact that the 44 Class locomotives were produced in such large numbers that gives them a place in our history. No other class of main-line Diesel Electric for NSW has ever had so many. Or maybe it is because this class of locomotives revolutionised the NSW Government Railways operations.

The first 60 of these Goodwin ALCO 1800 H.P. Diesel Electric Locomotives with their streamlined body were ordered in January 1957 and 4401 came into service in July of that year. A further 40 followed a few years later. This locomotive could travel at a top speed of 70 M.P.H. and haul 520 tons at a speed of 13.7 M.P.H up a grade of 1 in 40. (Source: NSW Government Railways Publication 1354/1).

Unlike steam locomotives which took hours from cold, the 44 class engines could be started immediately. But probably their most useful feature was their cab at each end which enabled the locomotives to be driven from either end when hauling a load. A train could be taken from Sydney to Albury and the locomotive uncoupled, driven around the train on a loop and coupled to the other end of the train without need of a turntable or needing to pull a train while in reverse.  It was also fitted with a multiple unit control system which enabled four locomotives to be operated from the one cabin. And the automatic staff exchangers at each end could be operated from the cab allowing the exchange to be made at 70 M.P.H. which was a great time saver on the single tracks travelled south of Junee.

The 44s were a favourite with crews to operate. Their smooth riding capability and robust reliability set them apart. In Junee double headed and even triple headed 44s, coupled like caterpillars, were a common sight on the heaviest of grain trains. Their mournful horn blast which heralded the arrival of another hard working 44 could be heard some distance away.

Many liveries adorned this class of engine while in Departmental service. It was the last of the class, 44100 which was the first engine to be painted in the new State Rail Authority’s corporate colours in August 1982. This livery has become known as the “candy colour scheme” and is a favourite of rail enthusiasts today. In March 1988, 4469 was the first to be given the “Red Terror” livery.

So what is the significance of this locomotive to Junee? 4401 represents the class of main line locomotive that, more than any other, replaced steam traction in NSW.  Engines in this class hauled the crack expresses through Junee, such as The Southern Aurora, Australia’s most prestigious train in its day. They greatly increased efficiency in all rail operations, both passenger and goods workings. 4401 is preserved in fully operational condition in the livery of Tuscan and Chrome as delivered in 1957.

The NSW Coat of Arms proudly displayed on the nose of 4401 is a reminder of the importance of rail in providing much needed passenger and freight services to country people (as well as employment) at a time when state owned and operated trains were the only rail option. And many women of Junee certainly appreciated the new cleaner engines which didn’t leave soot spots all over their freshly hung-out washing!

N. K. Milliken and I.W. Gray

Technical advice R. Ison