Class 32-029/042/047 Diesels

[Barend Botha]

Here are some pictures of all 3 of the class 32-000 series diesels taken on 09-12-2008. 029 and 042 are only used in the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe and both are in running condition and looks good on the outside. The guys at the steam depot in George says one is always stationed at George and the other at Mossel Bay. On the 9th of December 2008 I found 029 parked inside a service shed in Mossel Bay just like they said. 047 stands outside the same shed in bad condition. 042 was hauling the Choo-Tjoe that day due to problems with with the steam loco that should have been used.

[Chris Janisch]

It is actually nice to see these locos running- 33s too. I am sad that steam is never guaranteed on the Choo-Tjoe, makes planning a trip hard.

[Dylan Knott]

On 31 Oct both 32-029 and 32-042 double headed the choo tjoe. Nice trip. However, pax do not like diesel traction especially as they came there to see steam.

[Barend Botha]

To be honest I'm glad the Diesels did some duty when I was there, FOTR provides us with lots of opportunities to see class 19 and 24 steam locos during the year in Pretoria. Seeing a 32's double header must be something to see.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

I think a 32 doubler header is! Lucky fellow!

[Rob Stanier]

What species are the 32 Class? Are they EMD, GE or something else altogether? They actually look like they have some ALCO pedigree in them!

Rob

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

The Class 32's were built by GE in the United States (where they are known as the U18C1).

The U18C1, with 1-Co-Co-1 (1-C-C-1) wheel arrangement and consequent low axle loading, was built 1959-61 only for South African Railways. This seems to have been viewed as a non-standard model by GE, and was not included in its mid-1962 model listing. The U18C1 was nevertheless the outcome of some careful design effort, with bogie's were designed for high adhesion.

THe 18C series applied in the State - classified as a large road switcher.

The last of the South African U18C1s, supplied late in 1961, were also the last of the original U18 models built.

SAR had 118, where they replaced Class 7 and 24 locos.

The SAR 32 has a 1Co-Co1 wheel arrangement (Class 31 are Bo-Bo) The engine is a 4 stroke Cooper-Bessemer V12 with a rating of 1,475 kw.

The engine was designed toi haul fairly heavy trains singly, but could also work in consists of up to 3 in MU mode - so if the photo had another one in that would have been the maximum consist!

Vacuum brakes, but no dynamic braking.

The photos are of a straight 32 Class. SAR also had a 10 U181M engines as well, and these were called 32.200's. They easily distinguished from the 32's, as the 32.200 are low hood versions.

The 32's incidentally are are easily confused with the Class 33's (GE's U20C) - the body is basically identical! The difference can however be noted in the wheel arrangements - the 33 is a Co-Co.

[Rob Stanier]

Thanks Kevin for the reply! Have all the 32's since been withdrawn, or are there still some getting around in service. Also wonder what the ride quality would be like, with the extra axles.

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

Some 5 or 6 years ago there were only 10 units left at Ladysmith. I assume these are out of service now, but could be wrong......

Does anyone one qualified to answer know?

I think GE designed in the extra axles to reduce the loading on the narrower and lighter rail. Cannot comment on the ride - local drivers please advise!!!!!!!

[Barend Botha]

32-001 (renumbered from 32-002 ) can be found at the railway museum in Windhoek, Namibia. Some were taken to the DRC although I cannot find any info anywhere on how many, were they sold, leased etc...

[Kevin Wilson-Smith]

The units at Ladysmith were 32-021, 033, 038, 055, 063, 070, 079, 084, 094, 099 and 101.

Does anyone know if the Outeniqua units have been renumbered?

[Dylan Knott]

Two of the Danskraal ones were supposed to be retained for preservation. All were on a tender for scrap last month.

[Rob Stanier]

Thanks for the replies! 1Co-Co1 is an odd wheel arrangement from my neck of the woods. Our wheel arrangements are either Co-Co for DEL's; Bo-Bo for DH's; or Tri-Bo for EL's.

We once had 13 DEL's, which have long since been written off, that had A1A-A1A wheel arrangement. That was about the extent of our flirtation with exotic wheel arrangements.

Rob

[John Ashworth]

I have distant memories of 1-Co-Co-1 and AIA-AIA wheel arrangements in the early days of British dieselisation, but they didn't find their way into later generations.

[John Ashworth]

I have split the discussion on preserving classic diesels from this thread and created a new thread entitled Classic Diesels for Preservation? at http://www.friendsoftherail.com/phpBB2/ ... 802#p10802, as it seemed to be developing in an interesting direction of its own.