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Queensland Railways 2170 class

From Alfawiki
Queensland Railways 2170 class
Company typeDiesel-electric locomotive
IndustryRail transport
Founded1982
FounderClyde Engineering
Headquarters
Rocklea
,
Australia
ProductsLocomotives

The Queensland Railways 2170 class represents a series of Australian diesel-electric locomotives constructed by Clyde Engineering at Comeng's Rocklea facility between 1982 and 1984 specifically for Queensland Rail. Out of the total 45 units manufactured, the majority have been sold overseas, with seventeen exported to South Africa and twelve delivered to Ferronor in Chile.

The 2100 class family

Introduced in 1970, the Queensland Railways 2100 class encompassed the 2100, 2130, 2150, and 2170 classes. This locomotive family played a pivotal role in hauling coal for Queensland Rail from the commencement of operations on the Goonyella line until the network's electrification during the late 1980s.

New locomotive orders coincided with the opening of each mine; accordingly, the 2170 class was introduced alongside the development of the German Creek, Oaky Creek, and Blair Athol mines. Eleven units were equipped with Locotrol technology to enable remote control functionality.

Manufacturer

Derived from the earlier 2150 class, the 2170 class featured enhancements such as improved traction motors, modular electrical cabinets based on the Dash 2 design, and air-conditioned operator cabs.

Constructed by Clyde Engineering at Comeng’s Rocklea plant between 1982 and 1984, these locomotives marked a notable technological progression for Queensland Rail.

Modifications

From the late 1980s onward, various upgrades were implemented on the 2170 class, identified by letter suffixes appended to their unit numbers:

  • A suffix: Weight reduction achieved by decreasing fuel tank capacity by 1,300 litres (applied exclusively to unit 2195).
  • D suffix: Enhancements for driver-only operation (DOO) cabs, including a lowered nose profile and enlarged windscreen.
  • F suffix: Installation of auxiliary fuel tanks.

Between 1992 and 1993, all units except numbers 2202 through 2210 were outfitted with Automatic train protection (ATP) systems. Subsequently, from 1995 to 1999, eleven locomotives received extended cabs to house ATP equipment.

Beginning in 2000, a refurbishment initiative equipped all remaining 43 units with maxi-cabs akin to those found on the 2300 class. After these upgrades, thirty locomotives retained the "D" designation while thirteen were classified as "F." Additionally, select units were fitted with advanced ZTR Nexsys II traction control technology.

Service

Initially deployed for coal transportation along the Goonyella line, most of the 2170 class locomotives—excluding units numbered from 2202 to 2210—were reassigned following electrification to general freight duties between Brisbane and the South West, as well as on the North Coast line spanning from Rockhampton to Townsville. Units numbered between 2202 and 2210 were relocated to Townsville in 1988 for mineral train operations servicing Greenvale, and from 1993 onwards operated on the Mount Isa line. By the late 1990s, these units transferred to Gladstone for coal services on the Moura line.

With the arrival of the newer 4100 class, withdrawal of the 2170 class began gradually. Except for unit 2195, all were transferred to QR National (currently known as Aurizon) in July 2010.

Disposal

Aurizon divested numerous units of the 2170 class as follows:

  • August 2013: Three units were consigned to Apex Industrial and subsequently exported through Brisbane's port to South Africa; two were acquired by African Rail & Traction Services and one by RRL Grindrod Locomotives.
  • July 2014: Queensland Rail repurchased three units for use in passenger train operations.
  • 2014: Fourteen locomotives were bought by Transnet Freight Rail and reclassified for export.
  • June 2016: Twelve units were sold to the Chilean rail operator Ferronor.

Transnet Freight Rail

Upon acquisition, Transnet assigned new numbers to these locomotives, preserving Aurizon's original sequence and continuing the driver-only operation (DOO) "D" prefix.

At least eight of the Class units are stationed at Bellville Locomotive Depot in the Western Cape. Six of these have been partially repainted with a red Transnet Freight Rail livery, yet their original Aurizon numbers remain visible underneath. The repainting was limited to the upper sections of the bodywork, leaving the lower areas—including buffer beams adorned with Australian chevron designs—untouched. An additional four units are believed to be operating within the Eastern Cape region.

The integration of Class 35-800 locomotives broadens South Africa's Class 35 series to five distinct subclasses: GE Classes 35-000 and 35-400, alongside GM-EMD Classes 35-200, 35-600, and .

Watco Australia

Following a successful grain transport contract in Queensland in 2019, Watco Australia procured five 2170 class locomotives (numbers 2180, 2181, 2183, 2184, and 2188) previously owned by Transnet. These units were shipped via NGL Projects, arriving at Brisbane Port on 2 July 2019. The first locomotive, numbered 2188D, was relocated to Watco’s Warwick facility on 31 July 2019. These locomotives now serve on Watco’s grain and livestock routes alongside newly manufactured WRA class locomotives produced by NRE in the United States.

Status table

Below is a summary of current ownership, builder’s works numbers, service entry dates, and final status for each locomotive.


External links

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