Queensland Railways 1170 class

1170 class
Type and origin Power type Diesel Builder Walkers Limited Model U-67T Build date 1956–1958
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte A1A-A1A Gauge 1067 Length 12.65 m (41.5 ft) Loco weight 60 t (130,000 lb) Prime mover Cooper Bessemer FWL6T Generator GE GT586 Traction motors GE 756
Performance figures Power output 477 kW (640 hp) Tractive effort 122 kN (27,000 lbf)
Career Number in class 12 Retired 1989 Preserved 5

The 1170 class was a diesel-electric locomotive introduced by the Queensland Railways in 1956. They were intended as a replacement for the PB15 class steam locomotives on branch lines. They were built by Walkers Limited in Maryborough, Queensland under licence from International General Electric.

They were originally known as the 1500 class and renumbered as the 1270 class (not to be confused with the later 1270 class) before finally being renumbered as the 1170 class.

The class were popularly known as ‘Paw Paws’ after a racehorse, which in turn was named after a character in a contemporary cartoon strip.

They spent most of their working lives based at Townsville but in later years were used around Brisbane and the southern region of the state as shunters. The first unit was withdrawn in 1984 with the final two withdrawn in 1989.

Five units have been preserved, including class leader 1170 retained by the Queensland Rail Heritage Division at North Ipswich.

Fleet summary

1500 class number	1270 class number	1170 class number	Serial number	In service	Withdrawn	Scrapped	Notes
1500	1270	1170	558	18 January 1956	18 July 1988		Preserved, Queensland Rail Heritage Fleet, North Ipswich.
1501	1271	1171	559	1 June 1956	4 July 1988	December 1990
1502	1272	1172	560	4 August 1956	31 March 1989		Preserved, privately owned.
1503	1273	1173	561	27 September 1956	13 March 1986	December 1989
1504	1274	1174	562	15 March 1957	3 March 1988	January 1991
1505	1275	1175	563	12 April 1957	20 February 1984	January 1991
1506	1276	1176	564	31 May 1957	11 September 1987	December 1989
1507	1277	1177	565	28 June 1957	25 February 1989		Preserved, Rosewood Railway Museum. Source of spare parts for 1179.
1508	1278	1178	566	26 October 1957	11 July 1988	January 1991
1509	1279	1179	567	4 December 1957	25 July 1988		Preserved operational, Rosewood Railway Museum.
1510	1280	1180	568	14 March 1958	30 September 1987	January 1991
1511	1281	1181	569	25 May 1958	22 March 1989		Preserved, Ravenshoe Steam Railway. Carries number 1180.

See also

• Rail transport in Queensland
• List of Australian diesel locomotives