South Australian Railways 700 class (diesel)

The six locomotives of the class were built in 1971–1972. The first three were delivered on 1600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad-gauge bogies and the latter three on 1435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard-gauge bogies. In March 1978, they were included in the transfer of the South Australian Railways to Australian National. The locomotives frequently switched gauges before all were put on the broad gauge in 1987. Following the Adelaide-Melbourne railway line being converted to standard gauge in 1995, all of the 700 class were converted to standard gauge.[1] The 700 class operated on all main lines in South Australia and interstate to Broken Hill and Melbourne.

The first three were delivered in SAR's maroon and silver colour scheme, with the second batch bearing a mustard and maroon scheme.

In 1986, a new computer system required the class leaders of the former South Australian Railways to be renumbered as the last member of the class, with 700 becoming 706.[2]

On 26 September 1994, 702 caught fire near Blackwood and was put into storage. Australian National purchased 44221, a mechanically and physically identical locomotive from the FreightCorp 442 class, at that company's December 1994 auction, with a view to repairing 702 using parts from the New South Welsh locomotive, however the plans fell through and both locomotives were scrapped in October 1997.

In 1997, the remaining five units were included in the sale of Australian National to Australian Southern Railroad.

As of 2016 all remaining locomotives were stored: 701, 703 and 704 serviceable; 705 and 706 unserviceable.[3][4][5][6]

In mid-2021, One Rail Australia donated 704 to SteamRanger heritage railway.[7]