Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Dean Jones, Chris Nuthall, Lewis Rosenbauer, Ian Green, Thomas Bulic and Joshua Watson
Page Last Updated: 23/2/21
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Locomotive Info:
Type: Diesel-Electric Number Built: 10 Model: GT26C Loco Length: 20.73 Meters Weight: 135 tonnes Engine: EMD168-645E3 Generator: EMD AR10-A4-D14 Traction Motors: EMD D77 Horsepower: 3300 Max Speed: 130 km/h |
C508-C502-4403-6029 at Picton with #9L10 to Canberra. (24/10/16)
Photo By: Dean Jones |
When Westrail and other railway operators in Australia began upgrading their systems in the 1960s with new infrastructure, rollingstock and locomotives, the Victorian Railways decided to follow suit. Clyde Engineering was one of the major locomotive builders at the time and constructed Westrail’s L class locomotives which were EMD SD40 models with powerful EMD 16-645E3 engines from 1967. As the first unit, L251 was delivered from Granville NSW via Melbourne, VR took the opportunity to trial the locomotive, later hiring L classes to help with loco shortages.
C510-4532-8049-C505-C506-C504 with #5444N at Wingen. (16/11/19)
Photo By: Dean Jones |
C501-G543-T371-T379 with an ATN grain at McIntyre. (2/5/06)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
Despite how impressed VR was with these 3000hp units, further X class units of a lower power were ordered, but soon orders for high powered locomotives were underway. With an ageing fleet of low powered units and growing freight traffic, it was an ideal time for new units to be ordered. Clyde was contacted in the early 1970s and in 1975, 10 high powered locomotives based off of the L class units were ordered.
The Rosewater facility in SA was the chosen location to construct the GT26C units. The fleet had various design changes compared to the L class, mainly to do with the cab and nose. A full-width nose was selected with larger windscreens for better crew comfort and visibility. All units would also receive a coat of VR blue and gold livery.
In 1977, the first unit was completed and numbered C501. After undergoing testing in SA, it was delivered to VR in May. Once in Melbourne, C501 was converted to standard gauge and named ‘George Brown’ (a former VR commissioner). Further units were delivered and converted to SG for the north-east interstate route, while some remained on broad gauge for the western line. Issues were raised when it was found that the C class fleet and SAR’s 930 class Alcos could not operate together, but this issue was soon fixed before the Cs were regular performers into SA in the early 1980s.
The Rosewater facility in SA was the chosen location to construct the GT26C units. The fleet had various design changes compared to the L class, mainly to do with the cab and nose. A full-width nose was selected with larger windscreens for better crew comfort and visibility. All units would also receive a coat of VR blue and gold livery.
In 1977, the first unit was completed and numbered C501. After undergoing testing in SA, it was delivered to VR in May. Once in Melbourne, C501 was converted to standard gauge and named ‘George Brown’ (a former VR commissioner). Further units were delivered and converted to SG for the north-east interstate route, while some remained on broad gauge for the western line. Issues were raised when it was found that the C class fleet and SAR’s 930 class Alcos could not operate together, but this issue was soon fixed before the Cs were regular performers into SA in the early 1980s.
C505 hauling B19 through Tighes Hill as #4478 to Cardiff. (18/2/19)
Photo By: Lewis Rosenbauer |
C510-C505-C506-C504 with #5444 at Ardglen. (16/11/19)
Photo By: Lewis Rosenbauer |
During this period, some SG C class were removed from SG for BG use, meaning WAGR L class would once again be used as hired power in Victoria to fill in on SG. The class were also becoming more versatile on BG as more lines were being upgraded to handle their larger axle load without speed restrictions. The fleet were predominantly used on interstate goods trains, but occasionally would work passenger trains.
When V/line took over operations from VicRail in 1983, new G class locomotive would later be introduced but didn’t have an impact on the C class. G class would mainly only replace C class on grain services within Victoria and some were placed back on SG. C class units were all gradually repainted into V/line’s orange and grey scheme. Work on freight services was constant throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s seeing work on both BG operations like the Long Island steel and SG interstate operations into SA and NSW.
In 1994, the route between Melbourne and Adelaide would begin to be converted to SG, meaning the entire fleet would be on SG by 1995. By this time, all 10 locos were under National Rail ownership. Use on the north-east route would be the only line seen by the Cs until the new western SG line was finished when all units were rostered on services to and from Adelaide. The class were used with former Australian National BL class and Silverton 442 class on hire to National Rail. Some lost their V/line signage with the logo being either covered with a grey patch or a NR logo, among other patchy livery variations.
In 1996, orders for the huge fleet of 120 NR class units was placed to replace all of National Rail’s active fleet of locos. As NRs were delivered and accredited to lead trains in Victoria, the C class units were to be dedicated as trailing units before storage began just before 1997. The fleet were stored at Port Augusta before C505 and C508 were reactivated and repainted to be shunting units for the Dynon yards in Melbourne in 1999. In the previous year, the remaining fleet were transferred to Islington, pending their uncertain futures. The two NR units had various modifications made such as driver-only operation and nose horn removal.
When V/line took over operations from VicRail in 1983, new G class locomotive would later be introduced but didn’t have an impact on the C class. G class would mainly only replace C class on grain services within Victoria and some were placed back on SG. C class units were all gradually repainted into V/line’s orange and grey scheme. Work on freight services was constant throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s seeing work on both BG operations like the Long Island steel and SG interstate operations into SA and NSW.
In 1994, the route between Melbourne and Adelaide would begin to be converted to SG, meaning the entire fleet would be on SG by 1995. By this time, all 10 locos were under National Rail ownership. Use on the north-east route would be the only line seen by the Cs until the new western SG line was finished when all units were rostered on services to and from Adelaide. The class were used with former Australian National BL class and Silverton 442 class on hire to National Rail. Some lost their V/line signage with the logo being either covered with a grey patch or a NR logo, among other patchy livery variations.
In 1996, orders for the huge fleet of 120 NR class units was placed to replace all of National Rail’s active fleet of locos. As NRs were delivered and accredited to lead trains in Victoria, the C class units were to be dedicated as trailing units before storage began just before 1997. The fleet were stored at Port Augusta before C505 and C508 were reactivated and repainted to be shunting units for the Dynon yards in Melbourne in 1999. In the previous year, the remaining fleet were transferred to Islington, pending their uncertain futures. The two NR units had various modifications made such as driver-only operation and nose horn removal.
C502-C501 with an Adelaide freight train at Bank Box Loop. (4/3/95)
Photo By: Ian Green |
C502-C508 with the up Long Island at South Yarra. (26/1/85)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
In 2003, class leader C501 was sold to SRHC for preservation from Pacific National, after the company had taken over National Rail operation. In the same year, PN disposed of the remaining fleet by selling them to Silverton Rail, with the two shunting units remaining as on hire to PN. Eventually, most of these locomotives would be reactivated and repainted into Silverton livery for NSW freight and infrastructure use. They also adorned new classification as ‘Cs’ class units. For example, C510 was renumbered Cs4.
By 2005, SRHC’s C501 was completed in original VR livery on SG. It would see hire with various freight operators, predominantly in Victoria with PN, ATN and later, El Zorro.
The Silverton business was sold in 2006 to Allco Finance Group and South Spur Rail as well as RTS. The subsidiary of these companies was Southern and Silverton. The fleet continued on their normal trains with stored C502 and C503 also heading into Islington to be returned to service. The PN locos that had used as shunters in Melbourne were returned to the new company too. Some Cs were hired to SCT and would even reach Perth.
Southern and Silverton would eventually upgrade some of the fleet they owned with the installation of new EMD 16-645E3C engines, an upgrade traction package, fitting of a toilet to the No. 2 end and repaint into ‘South Spur’ blue and yellow livery. In 2007 however, C502, C503 and C508 were sold to CFCLA, and the rest of the fleet were sold to Coote Industrial in 2008. All units in commercial freight use were now predominantly used in NSW under Coote or hired to other operators like ARG or PN. Units owned by Coote received the green and yellow livery. They had all also received their original numbers, reverting from Silverton’s classification.
By 2005, SRHC’s C501 was completed in original VR livery on SG. It would see hire with various freight operators, predominantly in Victoria with PN, ATN and later, El Zorro.
The Silverton business was sold in 2006 to Allco Finance Group and South Spur Rail as well as RTS. The subsidiary of these companies was Southern and Silverton. The fleet continued on their normal trains with stored C502 and C503 also heading into Islington to be returned to service. The PN locos that had used as shunters in Melbourne were returned to the new company too. Some Cs were hired to SCT and would even reach Perth.
Southern and Silverton would eventually upgrade some of the fleet they owned with the installation of new EMD 16-645E3C engines, an upgrade traction package, fitting of a toilet to the No. 2 end and repaint into ‘South Spur’ blue and yellow livery. In 2007 however, C502, C503 and C508 were sold to CFCLA, and the rest of the fleet were sold to Coote Industrial in 2008. All units in commercial freight use were now predominantly used in NSW under Coote or hired to other operators like ARG or PN. Units owned by Coote received the green and yellow livery. They had all also received their original numbers, reverting from Silverton’s classification.
C508-VL353 with #8146 at Wallerawang. (21/3/20)
Photo By: Thomas Bulic |
C510-4904-GM10-BRM001 with #3SK4 at Broadford. (21/1/20)
Photo By: Joshua Watson |
CFCLA C502 and C508 were repainted into basic CFCLA liveries to be hired to companies such as SSR. C503 was repainted into a full SSR livery as the two companies were partnered. The Coote, later Greentrains units as well as the CFCLA locos were used on container, infrastructure and coal services in NSW. The CFCLA locos would also see MC/CM services to and from Melbourne. The Greentrains units would eventually be stored in South Dynon, before being sold to SSR in 2016 and returned to active service.
Today, C501 has been again repainted into VR livery for SRHC after a period of storage after El Zorro had ceased freight operations in 2013. On the 21st of October it was swapped with GL104 to help assist QUBE/ARTC's North East ballast train. The CFCLA units were stored in Goulburn, with C503 being placed in long term storage after mechanical problems. C508 has since returned to service with SSR for NSW operations, while C502 is still in storage. The rest of the SSR owned fleet are used on coal, grain and container services in NSW. They have become regular performers into Victoria once again on interstate grain services. These units still wear Coote and South Spur liveries with SSR signage.
Today, C501 has been again repainted into VR livery for SRHC after a period of storage after El Zorro had ceased freight operations in 2013. On the 21st of October it was swapped with GL104 to help assist QUBE/ARTC's North East ballast train. The CFCLA units were stored in Goulburn, with C503 being placed in long term storage after mechanical problems. C508 has since returned to service with SSR for NSW operations, while C502 is still in storage. The rest of the SSR owned fleet are used on coal, grain and container services in NSW. They have become regular performers into Victoria once again on interstate grain services. These units still wear Coote and South Spur liveries with SSR signage.
C503-S317-GM27-BRM001-G511 with #CB03 at Marrangaroo. (7/7/14)
Photo By: Dean Jones |
C505-C508-C507-C509 with #TM02 at Tahmoor. (25/9/17)
Photo By: Dean Jones |
Locomotive Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service History |
Current State |
VR Blue and Gold |
SRHC |
14 May 1977 - Present |
Preserved |
|
RailFirst Blue and Yellow |
CFCLA |
22 Jun 1977 - Present |
Operational |
|
SSR Yellow & Black |
SSR |
19 Jul 1977 - Present |
Stored |
|
SSR Blue |
SSR |
18 Aug 1977 - Present |
Operational |
|
SSR Blue |
SSR |
13 Sep 1977 - Present |
Operational |
|
SSR Green |
SSR |
6 Oct 1977 - Present |
Operational |
|
SSR Blue |
SSR |
4 Nov 1977 - Present |
Operational |
|
RailFirst Blue and Yellow |
CFCLA |
16 Dec 1977 - Present |
Operational |
|
SSR Green |
SSR |
10 Mar 1978 - Present |
Operational |
|
SSR Green |
SSR |
11 Jul 1978 - Present |
Operational |
Information sourced from 'Power to the Rails' by John Scott and Wikipedia.