Commonwealth Railways CL class

Clyde Engineering

Company type	Manufacturer
Industry	Locomotive manufacturing
Headquarters	Granville , Australia
Area served	Australia
Products	Diesel locomotives

The CL class represents a series of diesel locomotives manufactured by Clyde Engineering at their Granville facility for Commonwealth Railways between 1970 and 1972. Comprising 17 units, these locomotives were the final models globally to incorporate the iconic Electro-Motive Diesel bulldog nose, notable for its distinctive mansard roof styling.

Equipped with turbocharged V16 engines—initially the EMD 16-645E3 and later upgraded to the 16-645E3C—the CL class produces power outputs ranging from 2,237 kW to 2,460 kW. Their top speeds vary between 130 km/h and 140 km/h depending on the specific variant. These locomotives run on standard gauge tracks with a Co-Co wheel configuration supported by Clyde Engineering Hi-Ad bogies. Fuel tanks hold between 10,230 and 11,360 litres depending on the model.

Initially under the operation of Commonwealth Railways, ownership has since transitioned to several entities including Aurizon, Southern Shorthaul Railroad, RailPower, and Streamliners Australia. Out of the original fleet, 11 units remain active in service, while others have been preserved, are undergoing repairs, stored, or have been dismantled.

Construction

In 1968, Commonwealth Railways commissioned five locomotives rated at 2237 kW from Clyde Engineering to serve the Trans-Australian Railway route between Port Pirie and Kalgoorlie. The design shared mechanical similarities with the 1967 Western Australian L class, but transitioned from a USA-style EMD FP45 cab and a Do-Do wheel setup to a streamlined carbody featuring a conventional Co-Co arrangement.

History

The inaugural unit was completed in January 1970, with additional orders bringing the total production to 17 locomotives by October 1972. Their operational range expanded over time to include services reaching Perth on the Indian Pacific line and briefly extending to Lithgow, New South Wales. In July 1975, management of all units transferred to the Australian National. Following standard gauge upgrades in 1980 and 1983, their routes further expanded to cover destinations such as Alice Springs and Adelaide. By 2004, they were also deployed on the newly inaugurated line to Darwin.

Remanufacturing

In August 1992, Australian National engaged Morrison Knudsen Australia to undertake a remanufacturing program for the CL fleet at its facility in Whyalla. Morrison Knudsen acquired ownership of the locomotives before leasing them back for a period of twelve years. During this process, seven units were converted into CLF models optimized for freight operations, while ten were rebuilt as CLP variants equipped with head end power systems tailored for passenger services such as the Indian Pacific, Ghan, and Overland.

The refurbishment involved dismantling each locomotive down to its frame, preserving only the nose section and monocoque structure. Upgrades included replacing original EMD 645E3 engines with overhauled EMD 645E3C units sourced from Morrison Knudsen US. Main alternators were rebuilt, D78 traction motors refurbished with updated gear ratios installed, and MK-LOC microprocessor control systems fitted. Cab interiors were modernized, braking systems converted from dual shoe per wheel to single shoe configurations, along with other improvements designed to facilitate maintenance.

Post-rebuild renumbering was implemented; for instance, CL2 was redesignated as CLF1. All remanufactured locomotives returned to service by late 1993. The CLF freight versions bore Australian National’s traditional green livery accented by yellow panels, whereas CLP passenger models featured a lighter green nose paired with a silver body and yellow striping.

In 1994, Australian National's interstate services were transferred to National Rail. Due to leasing constraints imposed by Morrison Knudsen, these locomotives were restricted to Australian National trains unless higher fees were paid, limiting their deployment across the broader national network until Australian National secured hook and pull contracts for private operator SCT Logistics.

Beginning in January 1994, CLPs assumed responsibility for hauling the Indian Pacific between Sydney and Perth—tasks previously handled by state-based motive power. After standard gauge conversion in 1995, The Overland services also transitioned to CLP operation. Passenger duties concluded in November 1997 when Australian National’s passenger division was sold to Great Southern Rail, which contracted National Rail for haulage services.

Notably, CLP15 was involved in a head-on collision near Mount Christie in February 1997 and was subsequently scrapped within that year.

Private ownership

In November 1997, the CL class locomotives were transferred to Australian Southern Railroad, alongside the remaining freight operations of Australian National. After the 2006 division of the Australian Railroad Group, ten units were allocated to Aurizon (previously QR National), while six (CLF5, CLF6, CLP8, CLP14, CLP16, and CLP17) remained with Genesee and Wyoming Australia. These locomotives are primarily based in Adelaide, serving Intermodal, Grain, and Bulk freight routes. Starting in 2020, a refurbishment initiative commenced, focusing on CLP8, CLP14, and CLP16 for corrosion repairs, repainting, and component overhauls.

A fundraising effort in mid-2017 successfully gathered $150,000 to acquire and restore CLP10 (renamed CL17) from Apex International back to its original specification.

By mid-2019, Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) purchased four locomotives from the Apex fleet: CLF1, CLF3, CLP9, and CLP12, as well as unit 2204 (formerly NSWGR 422 class 42216). These units were moved from Goulburn to Cootamundra for reactivation and returned to operational status between 2020 and 2023.

The remaining Apex units—CLF2, CLF4, CLP11, and CLP13—were acquired by RailPower. Reactivation of CLF2 and CLF4 took place in 2020; however, as of 2024, CLP11 and CLP13 continue undergoing restoration.

On 8 March 2023, a level crossing collision at Rockview, NSW involved locomotives CLF1 and CLF4. Following the incident, CLF1 was transported to SSR's Bendigo workshops but was declared beyond economic repair and is awaiting dismantling. Meanwhile, repairs on CLF4 are ongoing at MainTrain in Auburn as of 2024.

Class list

Legend:	Active	Stored	Preserved	Restoration in Progress	Undergoing Repairs	Decommissioned

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Original Number	Service Entry	Renumbered As	Rebuild Serial	Name	Current or Last Owner	Livery	Status
CL1	February 1970	CLP15	93-AN-15	John Gorton (previously) Kokatha	Australian National	AN Green with Yellow and Silver accents	Decommissioned
CL2	March 1970	CLF1	93-AN-1	City of Whyalla (previously) Milton Bromwich	Southern Shorthaul Railroad	Southern Shorthaul Railroad scheme	Damaged in March 2023 accident; stored at Bendigo with uncertain future.
CL3	April 1970	CLP13	93-AN-13	Nukunu (previously) White Knight	RailPower	Primer White featuring RailPower branding	Reactivated November 2024
CL4	May 1970	CLP14	93-AN-14	Barngarla	Aurizon	Orange & Black ORA livery with Aurizon logos	Operational
CL5	July 1970	CLF4	93-AN-4		Southern Shorthaul Railroad	Undercoat stage	Damaged March 2023 accident; currently under repair
CL6	November 1970	CLF6	93-AN-6		Aurizon	GWA Orange & Black scheme	Active service
CL7	November 1970	CLF3	93-AN-3	Space Ghost (previously) Jason Ferguson	Southern Shorthaul Railroad	Black and Silver SSR livery	In operation
CL8	January 1971	CLP17	93-AN-17	Arabana	Aurizon	GWA Orange & Black with Aurizon markings	Currently active
CL9	March 1971	CLP8	93-AN-8	Gough Whitlam (previously) City of Port Augusta	Aurizon	ORA Orange & Black with Aurizon branding	Operational
CL10	April 1971	CLP16	93-AN-16	Murunitja	Aurizon	ORA Orange & Black with Aurizon logos	In service