TasRail DQ class
| Industry | Railway transport |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Queensland Railways 1460 class, Queensland Railways 1502 class |
| Founded | 1960s |
| Products | Diesel locomotives |
The DQ class diesel locomotives have been utilized in both New Zealand and Tasmania. Initially constructed by Clyde Engineering during the 1960s as part of Queensland Rail's Queensland Railways 1460 class and 1502 class series, these units were purchased by Tranz Rail in 1995. The acquisition aimed to rebuild them as an economical substitute for acquiring brand-new locomotives. Tranz Rail refurbished sixteen units into the DQ class and subsequently sold twelve to AN Tasrail. Presently, eight of these locomotives remain operational.
Introduction and service
Following the refurbishment of the DQ and QR class at Tranz Rail's Hutt Workshops, twelve DQ locomotives were sold to replace the aging English Electric fleet operated by Tasrail. The initial pair, DQs 2001 and 2002, received an ATN Red paint scheme; however, due to budget constraints and aesthetic preferences expressed by the Australian Transport Network, the remaining units were finished in Wisconsin Central Maroon livery. These twelve locomotives were renumbered from their original 60XX and 63XX designations—reflecting their origins as 1502 class and 1460 class rebuilds—to the 20XX series, aligning with New Zealand's numbering conventions.
DQs 2001 and 2002 reached Bell Bay on 2 September 1998, where they underwent modifications and testing at Tasrail's East Tamar Workshops before commencing operations later that month. Additional shipments arrived in December 1998, March 1999, and October 1999. Upon entering service, these locomotives frequently suffered main generator failures; nevertheless, a decrease in hauling demands has since enhanced their dependability. Reports of vibration problems emerged in both Tasmania and New Zealand following their rebuilds. Eventually, ownership transferred to AN Tasrail.
After Pacific National divested the Tasmanian rail network to TasRail, six DQ units were repainted with a new grey and yellow color scheme. DQ 2001 was the first to feature this livery in August 2010 after reassembly. Two locomotives sport special advertising panels instead of the standard TasRail logo: DQ 2006 displays messaging promoting level crossing safety, while DQ 2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the Rosebery Mine.
Withdrawals
With the arrival of the TR class, several DQ units—specifically 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2008—were taken out of service pending extensive overhauls. By late 2015, because TR class locomotives could not operate on the Melba Line, functioning DQs continued to handle Melba Line duties as well as yard shunting tasks in both Burnie and Devonport. The TR fleet’s lower-than-anticipated availability occasionally necessitated deploying DQs on routes east and south. To mitigate locomotive shortages, DQ 2008 was returned to service. In 2017, DQ 2007 was converted into a driving trailer for cement trains running between Railton and Devonport, replacing the former DV 1. This unit was renumbered DV2 by mid-2019.