Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Chris Nuthall and Jack Martin
Last Updated: 19/10/20
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Locomotive Info:
Type: Diesel-Electric Number Built: 15 Operational: 2 Scrapped: 3 Stored: 10 Loco Length: 19.67 Meters Weight: 118 tonnes Engine: EMD 12-710G3 Generator: EMD AR-11 Traction Motors: EMD D87 Horsepower: 3340 Max Speed: 153km/h |
Liveries worn by DL Classes |
Australian National had begun operation in South Australia in 1975, inheriting aging fleets of first generation diesel locomotives from Commonwealth Railways. In the 1980s, AN decided that new locomotives would be required to retire these older fleets such as the GM1 class. These new locomotives became the DL class and were the first new-build units for AN, constructed by Clyde Engineering in Kelso, NSW.
In March 1988, the first of an eventual 15 units, DL36, was completed and underwent trials between Kelso and Lithgow before delivery to South Australia. An EMD 12-710G3 engine was fitted to each unit, a first for Australia. The fleet also incorporated a unique squared-off full-width nose with a full-width body. All units were painted in the standard Australian National green and yellow scheme upon entering service.
The DLs were intended for both freight and passenger operation and would see use on the Indian Pacific and Ghan services throughout their careers. With the introduction of head-end power equipped CLP class in 1993, the work for DL class was mostly shifted towards freight. In 1995 with the cessation of AN operation, all DL class units were handed over to National Rail. DL41 was the first of the fleet to be repainted into NR ‘arrow’ livery during the same year. Further units would follow with repaints, with DL41 and DL50 adorning the later ‘charcoal’ livery. Under NR, the DL class were also being utilised further abroad for regularly, seeing use in WA and NSW.
In March 1988, the first of an eventual 15 units, DL36, was completed and underwent trials between Kelso and Lithgow before delivery to South Australia. An EMD 12-710G3 engine was fitted to each unit, a first for Australia. The fleet also incorporated a unique squared-off full-width nose with a full-width body. All units were painted in the standard Australian National green and yellow scheme upon entering service.
The DLs were intended for both freight and passenger operation and would see use on the Indian Pacific and Ghan services throughout their careers. With the introduction of head-end power equipped CLP class in 1993, the work for DL class was mostly shifted towards freight. In 1995 with the cessation of AN operation, all DL class units were handed over to National Rail. DL41 was the first of the fleet to be repainted into NR ‘arrow’ livery during the same year. Further units would follow with repaints, with DL41 and DL50 adorning the later ‘charcoal’ livery. Under NR, the DL class were also being utilised further abroad for regularly, seeing use in WA and NSW.
DL50-DL41-8257 with #5AG3 Pacific National grain train at Snowtown.
Date Taken: 4th April 2019 Photo By: Jack Martin |
DL41-DL50 near Dunmore with a loaded stone train.
Date Taken: 29th October 2001 Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
In January 1996, DL37 was involved in a head on collision and fire at Hines Hill, WA. The unit was written off and scrapped in 1997. In 2002, operation of National Rail, Freight Australia and Freight Corp to new operator Pacific National would further change the DL class’ workings. Most of the class were used in intermodal service between SA, Victoria and NSW, with some being overhauled and repainted into Pacific National livery. They would also be used on Portlink services, Leigh Creek coal trains and trailing units on some Indian Pacific services. Lash ups of two or three DLs could be a common sight on Melbourne to Griffith freight services, however other members of the class were increasingly seeing periods of storage. DL class would continue in intermodal service until around late 2016, when most were stored.
In 2016, long-time stored unit DL36 was scrapped in Port Augusta after being stripped of salvageable parts. At this time, most units were being stored at Werris Creek, NSW. By 2019, a handful of units had re-entered service for bulk workings, mostly grain services within NSW. However, this resurgence proved short-lived when they were once again stored at Werris Creek, NSW. In February 2020, DL48 was scrapped at UGL Spotswood in Victoria.
In 2016, long-time stored unit DL36 was scrapped in Port Augusta after being stripped of salvageable parts. At this time, most units were being stored at Werris Creek, NSW. By 2019, a handful of units had re-entered service for bulk workings, mostly grain services within NSW. However, this resurgence proved short-lived when they were once again stored at Werris Creek, NSW. In February 2020, DL48 was scrapped at UGL Spotswood in Victoria.
Locomotive Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current Status |
DL36 |
AN Green & Yellow |
Pacific National |
31 May 1988 - Nov 1997 |
Scrapped |
AN Green & Yellow |
Australian National |
26 May 1988 - 14 Jan 1996 |
Scrapped |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
13 Jul 1988 - Current |
Stored |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
15 Sep 1988 - 27 Jan 2017 |
Stored |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
14 Sep 1988 - Present |
Stored |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
17 Oct 1988 - Present |
Stored |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
17 Nov 1988 - Present |
Stored |
|
AN Green & Yellow |
Pacific National |
15 Nov 1988 - Present |
Operational |
|
NR Orange & Grey |
Pacific National |
24 Jan 1989 - Present |
Stored |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
30 Mar 1989 - Present |
Stored |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
25 May 1989 - Present |
Stored |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
28 Aug 1989 - Present |
Operational |
|
DL48 |
AN Green & Yellow |
Pacific National |
28 Aug 1989 - Feb 2020 |
Scrapped |
DL49 |
NR Orange & Grey |
Pacific National |
20 Nov 1989 - 1 May 2014 |
Stored |
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
8 Feb 1990 - Current |
Stored |
Information sourced from 'Australian Locomotive Guide' by Peter Clark, Vicsig, Railway Digest March 1988 & January 2000 issues, & Railpage