V/Line G class
| Company type | Diesel-electric locomotive |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Clyde Engineering |
| Headquarters | Rosewater and Somerton , Australia |
| Products | Diesel-electric locomotives |
Number of employees | 33 units built |
The G Class represents a fleet of diesel-electric locomotives constructed by Clyde Engineering at their Rosewater and Somerton facilities for V/Line between 1984 and 1989. In total, 33 units were manufactured, originally equipped with EMD 16-645E3C engines generating 3,300 horsepower. Subsequent upgrades involved fitting EMD 16-645F3B engines, which enhanced output to 3,600 horsepower. These locomotives employ a Co-Co wheel configuration paired with Trimount high adhesion bogies and utilize electric transmission systems.
Engineered to operate on both standard gauge (1435mm) and broad gauge (1600mm) tracks, the G Class weighs approximately 127 tonnes and carries up to 9,600 litres of fuel. Power is supplied through EMD AR16A series generators and D77/D87 traction motors, enabling a starting tractive effort of 337 kN and maintaining continuous effort of 311 kN at speeds around 18 km/h. Their braking setup incorporates both air and dynamic brakes, complemented by driver vigilance safety mechanisms.
Currently, these locomotives serve multiple Australian freight operators, including Aurizon, Pacific National, Qube Holdings, Southern Shorthaul Railroad, Swift Transport, Rail First Asset Management, and Watco Australia. Out of the original fleet, 29 remain operational, while two have been dismantled and another two placed in storage.
Due to their robust power output, adaptability across different gauges, and extensive use among prominent logistics providers, the G Class continues to play a vital role in Australia's rail freight industry.
History
By the early 1980s, the diesel locomotives initially acquired by Victorian Railways were approaching three decades in service, with an average age around 20 years. Moreover, about 70% of these units delivered less than or equal to 1,000 horsepower, reflecting the demands of Victoria’s extensive branch line network.
Since 1976, rail freight restructuring had concentrated smaller consignments into centralized 'freight centres,' shifting focus towards block trains that transported single commodity types. Grain emerged as the predominant rail freight in Victoria. Consequently, in 1983 VicRail engaged Canadian National’s consultancy division to enhance operational efficiency. Their proposals included expanding train lengths to accommodate up to 50 bogie wagons and rationalizing branch lines through closures.
Delivery
During this period, the Australian National placed an order for ten BL class locomotives from Clyde Engineering at Rosewater, with an option for five additional units. VicRail chairman Alan Reiher succeeded in negotiating that these five units be completed for the newly established V/Line. The new diesels featured higher axle loads compared to the lighter T and Y class locomotives traditionally used on branch lines. This increased axle load necessitated upgrades or closures of lighter track sections. All units were delivered by late 1984.
A subsequent order for ten locomotives was customized to meet V/Line’s requirements; the first five came fitted with standard gauge bogies and were delivered through Sydney. Over time, these locomotives frequently exchanged gauges depending on operational needs. Starting in July 1986, G class units began running through to Sydney without requiring locomotive changes at Albury. Two further contracts added eleven and seven broad gauge locomotives respectively, bringing total production to 33 by November 1989. The initial fifteen were constructed at Clyde Engineering’s Rosewater plant; the remaining units were assembled at Somerton.
Although primarily intended for freight duties, these locomotives occasionally hauled passenger services such as the Intercapital Daylight and Sydney/Melbourne Express, but rarely operated broad gauge passenger trains.
National Rail
During the mid-1990s, when National Rail initiated interstate operations, V/Line leased seven locomotives (517–520, 522, 523 & 525) as an interim measure until the arrival of the NR class. This class was also instrumental in powering Australia's inaugural privately operated train on government-owned tracks, operated by SCT Logistics with V/Line crews between Melbourne and Adelaide starting in July 1995, with the route later extended to Perth from October 2000.
Freight Australia
The entire fleet of 33 units was transferred in March 1999 when V/Line Freight was sold to Freight Victoria. On 26 November 1999, G517 and G518 were involved in a fatal head-on collision at Ararat, resulting in their destruction.
Freight Australia undertook upgrades on several G class locomotives by installing new EMD 16-645F3B engines that increased their output to 3,800 hp (2,795 kW). The older engines were recycled to re-engine X class locomotives from Victorian Railways, which were subsequently reclassified as the XR class. Locomotives receiving these upgrades included G523, G526, G529, G530, G531, G536, G541, and G543.
In the early 2000s, Freight Australia entered a contract with CRT Group for freight transportation between Melbourne and Sydney. This agreement stipulated that if Freight Australia was acquired by a rival company, CRT Group would receive locomotive power totaling 10,000 hp. Following the acquisition of Freight Australia by Pacific National in 2004, locomotives G516 and G534 were transferred to Linx Cargo, alongside two X class units which were later also handed over to Linx.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission mandated that Toll Holdings divest nine locomotives during its acquisition of Pacific National; these units were sold to SCT Logistics in February 2007. By mid-2008, SCT Logistics had sold their G class locomotives to entities including the Australian Wheat Board, CFCLA, and Southern Shorthaul Railroad.
Pacific National currently operates its G class fleet on both broad and standard gauge tracks, with standard gauge predominantly utilized in New South Wales.
In 2015, Freightliner acquired units G533 and G535 from AWB Limited. These locomotives became part of Genesee & Wyoming Australia following Genesee & Wyoming’s takeover of Freightliner’s Australian division. They now operate under Aurizon after its acquisition of ORA (formerly GWA) in 2022.
Qube Logistics’ locomotives G521 and G532 underwent refurbishment by Gemco and received new paint schemes in 2021.
Features
The G class combined imported General Motors-Electro-Motive Division components—including prime mover, alternator, and traction motors—with a frame and body engineered domestically. Notable features comprised cab air conditioning, an onboard toilet, Trimount high-adhesion bogies, and the Super Series wheel creep control system designed for enhanced heavy haul performance. The design emphasized minimizing overall weight to maximize fuel tank capacity. Structurally, the body includes two side trusses with load-bearing elements, roof bows, integrated cabs, and lightweight fibreglass side panels equipped with removable roof hatches for access to internal equipment.
The initial five units were equipped with carbody pressurization tailored for dusty outback environments. Subsequent models introduced enhancements such as double blade windscreen wipers, repositioned multiple-unit jumper receptacles at a lower height, and horizontal marker lights. Many units have since been retrofitted with online refueling capabilities and are deployed on Melbourne-Perth SCT Logistics routes.
Fleet list
| Legend: | Active Service | In Storage | Heritage Preserved | Modified | Under Maintenance | Decommissioned |
|---|
| Locomotive | Designation | Serial Number | Commissioned | Retired | Owner | Operator | Paint Scheme | Track Gauge | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G511 (BL36) | 84-1239 | October 1984 | Watco Australia | Watco Australia | Watco Black & Yellow | Standard Gauge | In service | ||
| G512 (BL37) | Peter Pan | 84-1240 | November 1984 | Rail First Asset Management | Qube | Railfirst Silver & Blue | Broad Gauge | In service | |
| G513 (BL38) | 'Mike Moy' | 84-1241 | November 1984 | Southern Shorthaul Railroad | Southern Shorthaul Railroad | SSR Yellow & Black | Standard Gauge | In service | |
| G514 (BL39) | 'Graham Cotterall' | 84-1242 | November 1984 | Southern Shorthaul Railroad | Southern Shorthaul Railroad | SSR Yellow & Black | Standard Gauge | In service | |
| G515 (BL40) | 'Rising Fast' | 84-1243 | November 1984 | Rail First Asset Management | Qube | Railfirst Silver & Blue | Broad Gauge | In service | |
| G516 | 85-1229 | December 1984 | Swift Transport | Southern Shorthaul Railroad | Linx Cargo Care Blue with Swift branding | Standard Gauge | In service | ||
| G517 | 84-1231 | February 1985 | November 1999 | Freight Australia | Freight Australia | V/Line Orange & Grey | Broad Gauge | Decommissioned following accident | |
| G518 | 85-1232 | May 1985 | November 1999 | Freight Australia | Freight Australia | V/Line Orange & Grey | Broad Gauge | Decommissioned following accident | |
| G519 | 85-1232 | December 1985 | Pacific National | Pacific National | Pacific National Blue & Yellow | Standard Gauge | Active, re-entered service March 2022 | ||
| G520 | 85-1233 | March 1986 | Pacific National | Pacific National | Freight Australia Green & Yellow | Standard Gauge | Operational | ||
| G521 | 85-1234 | February 1986 | Qube | Qube | Qube Yellow and Grey | Standard Gauge | In use | ||
| G522 | 85-1235 | March 1986 | Pacific National | Pacific National | Pacific National Blue & Yellow | Broad Gauge | Operating | ||
| G523 | 86-1236 | March 1986 | Pacific National | Pacific National | Freight Australia Green & Yellow | Standard Gauge | Functional | ||
| G524 |
86-1237 April 1986 |
Pacific National Pacific National Freight Australia Green & Yellow Broad Gauge Operational |
- Originally, units G511 through G515 were manufactured as BL36 to BL40.
- The G543 locomotive was designed with a desktop-style cab as an experimental platform for DL and AN class models.
External links
- Australian Road & Track Magazine, June 1992 Going Loco: V/Line Locomotive G517 Track Test
- Articles with short description
- Clyde Engineering locomotives
- Co-Co locomotives
- Pacific National diesel locomotives
- Railway locomotives introduced in 1984
- Standard-gauge locomotives of Australia
- Aurizon diesel locomotives
- Victorian Railways diesel locomotives
- Broad gauge locomotives in Australia
- Diesel–electric locomotives of Australia
- Freight locomotives