Locomotive 1204

1204 arrived in Port Lincoln from Western Australia towards the end of July 2004. While slightly lower powered than the NJ class, the A class are significantly heavier and hence more suited to 'low speed lugging'. 1204 was joined in October 2004 by sister locomotive 1203. The two A class spend most of their time working grain trains, and are especially useful over the heavy grades between Cummins and Port Lincoln.

The dynamic brake grids ('elephant ears') are a prominent feature of the short hood of this unit and 1203, although the dynamic brake feature is not used at Port Lincoln.

Above and right: 1204 at Port Lincoln, Aug 2004.
Photos: Martin Thobaven

1204 leads 842 and 905 across Peelinna Creek, approaching Cummins on 4 April 2006.
Photo: Peter Knife

A little background

1204 was built for the Western Mining Corporation, and was delivered in December 1965. Although owned initially by WMC, it was painted in the WAGR livery and numbered A1514 in the WAGR number series. It was used on WMC's Koolanooka - Geraldton export iron ore traffic. It eventually passed into WAGR ownership, and became part of ARG's fleet when AWR took over Westrail.

A1514 keeps company with pioneer WAGR diesel X1005 at Avon Yard, 7 Sep 1976.
Photo: Peter Knife