Australia's DL500 "World" Locomotives

  • DL500B = FPD-6
  • DL500C = FPD-7

    		•  Somebody's Large Digital Image Here
    Compiled by: R. Craig Photograph by: Brad Peadon
    New: 2 August 2026 -
    Railroad Road No. 500 Model Builder No. Builder Date Notes / Gauge
    South Australian Railroad 930 FPD-6 82093 12/55 To Australian National as 967; then to Port Dock Museum Railway
    931 - 935 FPD-6 82094 - 82098 55/56 To Australian National as 931-935
    936 - 944 FPD-7 82798 - 82806 55/56 To Australian National as 936 - 944
    945 - 949 FPD-7 82913 - 82917 57/58 To Australian National as 945 - 949
    950 - 956 FPD-7 83829 - 83835 1961 To Australian National as 950 - 956
    957 FPD-7 84120 1962 To Australian National as 957
    958 - 962 FPD-7 G3388-1 to 5 xx/65 Notes:
    • To Australian National as 958 - 962
    • #958 to Steam Ranger
    • #961 to long-term storage at Islington Shops
    963 - 966 FPD-7 G3471-1 to 4 AE Goodwin - 1967 Notes:
    • To Australian National as 963 - 966
    • #963 to Steam Ranger
    Assume all units scrapped unless otherwise noted
    New South Wales 4401 - 4403 FPD-7 82807 - 82809 7, 9, 11/57 Notes:
    • #4401 to Heritage Center (Junee) as static display
    • #4403 to Heritage Center (Thirlmere), operational
    4404 - 4410 FPD-6 82810 - 82816 1-4/58 --
    4411 - 4434 FPD-7 82883 - 82906 5-12/58 #4420 to Dorrigo Steam Railway Museum and stored
    4435 - 4440 FPD-7 82907 - 82912 1-4, 10/59 --
    4441 - 4455 FPD-7 83731 - 83745 4-12/60 -
    4456 - 4460 FPD-7 83746 - 83750 1-4/61 #4460 to Qube Logistics; store at Junee
    4461 - 4463 FPD-7 G3421-1 to 3 10-12/65 Notes:
    • #4461 to Qube Logistics, stored (Junee)
    • #4463 to Qube Logistics, stored
    4464 - 4477 FPD-7 G3421-4 to 17 1-11/66 Notes:
    • #4472 to Chicago Freight Car Line, stored
    • #4473 to Heritage Rail Center; operational
    • #4477 to Chicago Freight Car Line, stored
    4478 - 44100 FPD-7 G3421-18 to 40 1-12/66 Notes:
    • #4486 to Heritage Rail Center (Junee); operational
    • #4488 to Qube Logistics, stored
    • #4490 to Heritage Rail Center; (Thirlmire) operational
    • #4497 to Qube Logistics; operational
    • #4498 to Chicago Freight Car Line, stored
    General Notes:
    • FPD-6s were built with a single control station
    • FPD-7s were built with two controla station, but only a single cab
    Reference sources:
    • Alco Historic Photos
    • A Centennial Remembrance by Richard Steinbrenner,
    • The Alco FA: Running in the Shadows by R. Craig Rutherford
    • Wikipedia
     


    * * * Technical Data * * *

    Alco / MLW/ AE Goodwin

    DL500

    Technical Data
    Drawings and Data by: Jean-Denis Bachand
    Engine 251B V-12 (4-cycle) Alco 1800 hp Bore & Stroke: 9.0" x 10.5" RPM (Max. / Min.): 1000 / 400 Loco Wgt: 211,500 lbs.
    Powertrain Main Gen.: GT581C Traction Motors:

    GE-726 (four)    		 Tractive Force (starting): 58,025 lbs @ 25% Tractive Force (continuous): 30,000 lbs @ 20mph T/M Blowers: GY27 (two)
    Trucks C-C Wheel Dia: 38/40/42" Speed: 65mph / Gear Ratio: 62:21 Turning Radius (min): 30degrees Wheelbase: 13'-09"
    Operation M/U Capability Dyn. Braking Auxillary Generator: GY27 Air Comp.: Westinghouse 3CDC Air Brake: West. 24RL
    Capacities

    Fuel: 1600 gal.

    Lub Oil: 200 gal.

    Cooling Water: 23o gal.

    Sand: 22 cubic feet

    Steam Generator 2250 psi
    Dimensions FA Length: 58'-11.5" Bolster: 30'-5" Pilot-to-Pilot (distance): ? Engine Hood Heighth *: 13'-01.5" Cab Heighth*: 13'-01.5"
    Dimensions Cab Width: 10'-3" -- Length over handrails: -- Distance between Truck Centers: 44'-2"

    Quantity Built: 342 units

    * Distance is from top of railhead.

    Reference Sources:

    • Alco-GE Operation & Service Manual
    • Alco's FA: Running in the Shadow

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