Queensland Railways DH class
| Industry | Locomotive manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Maryborough , Australia |
| Products | Diesel-hydraulic locomotives |
The DH class consists of diesel-hydraulic locomotives manufactured by Walkers Limited in Maryborough for Queensland Railways, with production spanning from 1966 to 1974.
History
Queensland Railways introduced a Walkers-built diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive on a trial basis in 1966. After the positive outcome of this trial, a total of 73 units were constructed by 1974 to serve shunting and short-haul freight duties within Queensland’s rail yards. The transition to longer train configurations and the subsequent closure of numerous freight yards initiated the phase-out of these locomotives starting in the 1980s. A considerable number of these units continued operating on Queensland’s sugar cane railway networks.
- 29 locomotives were modified for service at sugar mills in Queensland.
- 4 units were adapted for use on the Yallourn Railway in Victoria and later re-gauged for sugar mill operations.
- 13 units were exported to Vietnam and 2 to Malaysia, functioning as heavy-duty diesel shunters on narrow-gauge rail systems.
Preservation
The Queensland Rail Heritage division retains DH2, while DH71 is privately owned but kept on-site.
DH14 was previously operated at the Old Ghan Heritage Railway and Museum near Alice Springs in the Northern Territory and is now stored following the suspension of train services. This unit featured a variation of the Australian National green and gold livery.
In 1995, DH59 was acquired by the Puffing Billy Railway in Victoria. It was converted to a narrower gauge, reclassified as Dh31 (DH31), and currently functions as a substitute for steam locomotives during total fire ban periods. Initially running in its original Queensland Rail livery without branding, it was later repainted into Victorian Railways blue and gold before reverting to its original DH59 designation by 2017. Subsequently, DH5 joined the fleet.
The Walhalla Goldfields Railway in Victoria obtained DH37 in 2010; this unit remains stored on its original gauge track awaiting conversion to narrow gauge. DH72 was also purchased in June 2012 with plans for future re-gauging.
DH38 primarily operated around Mackay in northern Queensland before being withdrawn in July 1991 due to a significant engine failure. After acquisition by ARHS Queensland, it underwent thorough restoration including engine rebuilding and axle replacements necessitated by detected cracks.
Since 2015, privately owned DH45 has been leased to Southern Downs Steam Railway as a backup locomotive supporting their C17 steam engine.
DownerEDi Maryborough procured DH73 for shunting responsibilities, naming it Hugh Boge in honour of a former manager.
Status overview of preserved locomotives
| Number | Name | Entry into service | Retirement date | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DH2 | 1968-07-27 | 1991-04-03 | Currently stored within Queensland Rail Heritage Division; dismantled and pending restoration at Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich | |
| DH5 | 1968-08-27 | 1992-07-07 | In operation, converted to Template:Track gauge, Puffing Billy Railway, Victoria | |
| DH14 | Roger Vale | 1968-11-18 | 1993-03-23 | Preserved in good condition at Old Ghan Heritage Railway and Museum, near Alice Springs, Northern Territory |
| DH37 | 1969-06-27 | 1994-02-14 (Transferred to Departmental use as MMY037) | Stored and awaiting conversion to Template:Track gauge, Walhalla Goldfields Railway, Victoria | |
| DH38 | 1969-07-07 | 1991-07-05 | Operational at Kunkala, Rosewood Railway Museum | |
| DH41 | 1969-08-XX | Undergoing restoration by DownsSteam Tourist Railway & Museum, Drayton, Queensland; acquired from Bundaberg Sugar in September 2024 | ||
| DH45 | 1969-09-09 | 1994-02-14 (Transferred to Departmental use as MMY045) | Operational and privately owned; leased to Southern Downs Steam Railway since 2015; involved in a 2013 theft incident | |
| DH59 | 1970-05-19 | 1991-05-20 | Active service, re-gauged to Template:Track gauge, Puffing Billy Railway, Victoria | |
| DH71 | 1973-12-07 | 1992-01-23 | Privately owned and stored; awaiting restoration at Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich | |
| DH72 | 1974-01-15 | Date of withdrawal not recorded | Stored; pending re-gauging to Template:Track gauge, Walhalla Goldfields Railway, Victoria | |
| DH73 | Hugh Boge | 1974-02-07 | Withdrawal date unknown (Reassigned to Departmental service as MMY073) | Operational; owned and refurbished by DownerEDi Maryborough for shunting operations. |
See also
- New South Wales 73 class locomotive – comparable locomotive class in New South Wales.