Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Chris Nuthall, Peter Cousins, Brian Atkins, Simon Barber, Ian Green, Macauley Haywood and Alex Thorn
Page Last Updated: 14/5/20
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Locomotive Info:
Type: Diesel-Electric Number Built: 33 Operational: 29 Stored: 2 Scrapped: 2 Model: JT26C-2SS Loco Length: 19.82 Meters Weight: 128 tonnes Engine: EMD 16-645E3B (original), EMD 16-645F3B (rebuilt) Generator: EMD AR16A-D8, later replaced with CA5 Traction Motors: EMD D77/D87 Horsepower: 3300 Max Speed: 115 km/h |
Liveries worn by G classes |
The box cab design of locomotives goes back to 1969, with the introduction of the NSWGR 422 class locomotives. This type of locomotive impressed the operator, with the design being used in other states of Australia. The Commonwealth Railways is an example, with their high powered AL class, and NSW SRA again, with the 81 class. In Victoria however, an aging and underpowered fleet of locomotives were making times difficult for Vicrail, later V/line. The only new locomotives they had at the time were 3rd series X class and their only 3000hp units, the C class. Vicrail announced in 1983 that all-new types of locomotive would be purchased, for freight and for passenger. Clyde Engineering would win the contract, with the N class being predominantly passenger units and G class to be predominantly freight. The G class would be high powered box cab units based on the NSW 81 class.
During this time, Clyde had been busy with orders from other operators, meaning the units would be delayed until later years. With record grain levels being predicted, V/line was desperate and contacted Australian National who were having their BL class units built by the same manufacturer. A deal was struck with the last five units made for AN, being available for V/line. The model was known as the JT26C-2SS. Clyde’s Rosewater plant in South Australia completed the locos which were painted in V/line’s orange and grey livery. They wore numbers G511 to G515, with the first being complete in October 1984. After testing in SA, the units were forwarded to Victoria.
During this time, Clyde had been busy with orders from other operators, meaning the units would be delayed until later years. With record grain levels being predicted, V/line was desperate and contacted Australian National who were having their BL class units built by the same manufacturer. A deal was struck with the last five units made for AN, being available for V/line. The model was known as the JT26C-2SS. Clyde’s Rosewater plant in South Australia completed the locos which were painted in V/line’s orange and grey livery. They wore numbers G511 to G515, with the first being complete in October 1984. After testing in SA, the units were forwarded to Victoria.
G532-S302-T408-T409 with #9139 near Warrenheip. (28/8/95)
Photo By: Ian Green |
G513-G543 with an empty grain train at Bell Post Hill. (1/4/95)
Photo By: Ian Green |
Once in Victoria, each locomotive went to Bendigo with various modifications made to suit Victorian regulations. Before too long, the 5 G class were used on broad gauge grain operations, proving themselves highly successful. When V/line got the chance to contact Clyde about further units, they requested various modifications, such as a different engine, smaller fuel tank among other things. There was also a request for the first 4 units to have standard gauge bogies. By the end of 1985, these units were being completed, being delivered to Melbourne via Sydney.
Once in Melbourne, the standard gauge units would be often utilised on ‘Spirit of Progress’ and ‘Southern Aurora’ services as well as freight operation of course. Broad gauge units were used on Apex quarry, Long Island steel, grain and Adelaide goods services, though they didn’t often leave the state with AN power taking over at the border. The G class also allowed V/line to scrap many older units. The units were valued so much, that a further 18 units would be contracted for construction in 1987. However, the new units would be made in Somerton, as the Clyde Rosewater plant had closed. More alterations would be made to these later units. In 1989, the final unit, G543, was complete. This unit had a unique modification, with desk-top type controls similar to the AN DL class. The 33 G class had become the most important locomotive for V/line’s freight operation.
In 1995, the western standard gauge line had been complete, and G525 and G522 led the first of these interstate trains, however broad gauge operations remained the predominant work for these locomotives. When National Rail entered the rail scene however, they began the main operation of interstate freight between Adelaide and Melbourne. They approached V/line to hire a number of units for this service and by 1996, 19 G class would be on standard gauge. 10 of these would be controlled by National Rail. SCT which had recently started up also would hire G class units for their operations.
Once in Melbourne, the standard gauge units would be often utilised on ‘Spirit of Progress’ and ‘Southern Aurora’ services as well as freight operation of course. Broad gauge units were used on Apex quarry, Long Island steel, grain and Adelaide goods services, though they didn’t often leave the state with AN power taking over at the border. The G class also allowed V/line to scrap many older units. The units were valued so much, that a further 18 units would be contracted for construction in 1987. However, the new units would be made in Somerton, as the Clyde Rosewater plant had closed. More alterations would be made to these later units. In 1989, the final unit, G543, was complete. This unit had a unique modification, with desk-top type controls similar to the AN DL class. The 33 G class had become the most important locomotive for V/line’s freight operation.
In 1995, the western standard gauge line had been complete, and G525 and G522 led the first of these interstate trains, however broad gauge operations remained the predominant work for these locomotives. When National Rail entered the rail scene however, they began the main operation of interstate freight between Adelaide and Melbourne. They approached V/line to hire a number of units for this service and by 1996, 19 G class would be on standard gauge. 10 of these would be controlled by National Rail. SCT which had recently started up also would hire G class units for their operations.
G520-XR559-G523 with 7902V near Gheringhap. (13/5/20)
Photo By: Macauley Haywood |
G543-G524 lead 9305 Tocumwal freight into Sunshine. (20/2/20)
Photo By: Alex Thorn |
In 1999, Freight Victoria took over V/line’s freight business with repaints of the G class beginning, G543 being the first. Operation by FV, later Freight Australia, would mean that the class operated more often into NSW with a log train contract starting up. Grain movement was also begun by FA in NSW allowing more of the class to venture north. In the same year FV took over, G517 and G518 were involved in a head on collision at Ararat, both crew survived however the locomotives were less fortunate. Both locomotives were soon scrapped.
Upgrades for the G class commenced in 2000, giving the Gs an extra power advantage. At this time, broad gauge operation was keeping the class busy on Apex, grain, Merbien, Swan Hill and many other freight services. As grain services picked up in Victoria, the class were constantly being pulled out of NSW operation to cater for the local services.
In 2004, Pacific National bought Freight Australia. Units again began to receive repaints, however G516 and G534, as part of the handover process, went to QR National. These two standard gauge units were used on Melbourne to Brisbane freights, wearing the signage of their operator. They would later be repainted into a full livery. G527 was the first unit to wear PN livery. Operations for the PN locomotives did not change significantly, however with various services being lost over the years, Maryvale and Tocumwal freights would begin to see the class used. In 2006/7, Pacific National was ordered to provide 9 G Class locomotives to SCT as part of a deal to secure a new service. A number of G class were handed over to SCT as part of this deal. All were painted into SCT colours and transferred to SG for operations to Perth. G511, G512 and G515 were sold to CFCLA, with G511 being painted into SSR livery for hire. G521/G532/G533/G535 were sold to Cargill (AWB parent).
Today, the locomotives have spread their wings even more, with SSR G511 being purchased by Watco for Western Australian operations. G513 and G514 continue with SSR. G512 and G515 continue to be operated by Qube alongside G521 and G532, the latter of which was repainted into Qube livery in 2021. Linx Cargo Care own G516 and G534, formerly owned by QR National, then Aurizon after they ceased intermodal operations. Both wear Linx livery and operate trip trains in NSW. Freightliner entered Australia and acquired G533 and G535, both are now with GWA/One Rail Australia. The Pacific National units continue to operate grain, intermodal and container services both interstate and within the Victorian broad gauge system.
Upgrades for the G class commenced in 2000, giving the Gs an extra power advantage. At this time, broad gauge operation was keeping the class busy on Apex, grain, Merbien, Swan Hill and many other freight services. As grain services picked up in Victoria, the class were constantly being pulled out of NSW operation to cater for the local services.
In 2004, Pacific National bought Freight Australia. Units again began to receive repaints, however G516 and G534, as part of the handover process, went to QR National. These two standard gauge units were used on Melbourne to Brisbane freights, wearing the signage of their operator. They would later be repainted into a full livery. G527 was the first unit to wear PN livery. Operations for the PN locomotives did not change significantly, however with various services being lost over the years, Maryvale and Tocumwal freights would begin to see the class used. In 2006/7, Pacific National was ordered to provide 9 G Class locomotives to SCT as part of a deal to secure a new service. A number of G class were handed over to SCT as part of this deal. All were painted into SCT colours and transferred to SG for operations to Perth. G511, G512 and G515 were sold to CFCLA, with G511 being painted into SSR livery for hire. G521/G532/G533/G535 were sold to Cargill (AWB parent).
Today, the locomotives have spread their wings even more, with SSR G511 being purchased by Watco for Western Australian operations. G513 and G514 continue with SSR. G512 and G515 continue to be operated by Qube alongside G521 and G532, the latter of which was repainted into Qube livery in 2021. Linx Cargo Care own G516 and G534, formerly owned by QR National, then Aurizon after they ceased intermodal operations. Both wear Linx livery and operate trip trains in NSW. Freightliner entered Australia and acquired G533 and G535, both are now with GWA/One Rail Australia. The Pacific National units continue to operate grain, intermodal and container services both interstate and within the Victorian broad gauge system.
G512-B76 with #9178 at Gheringhap. (22/11/19)
Photo By: Macauley Haywood |
G521-G512 with #9157 at Bell Post Hill. (23/8/19)
Photo By: Macauley Haywood |
Inside a G Class
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Inside the cab of SCT's G535 at Laverton. (20/7/07)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall
Photo By: Chris Nuthall
Locomotive Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current State |
Watco |
Watco |
16 Oct 1984 - Present |
Operational |
|
G512 |
CFCLA |
CFCLA |
16 Nov 1984 - Present |
Operational |
SSR Yellow & Black |
SSR |
16 Nov 1984 - Present |
Operational |
|
SSR Yellow and Black |
SSR |
8 Dec 1984 - Present |
Operational |
|
CFCLA |
CFCLA |
21 Dec 1984 - Present |
Operational |
|
Linx Cargo Care |
Linx Cargo Care |
18 Dec 1985 - Present |
Operational |
|
V/line Orange & Grey |
V/line |
22 Mar 1986 - 27 Nov 1999 |
Scrapped |
|
G518 |
V/line Orange & Grey |
V/line |
19 Feb 1986 - 27 Nov 1999 |
Scrapped |
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
21 Dec 1985 - Present |
Stored |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
22 Mar 1986 - Present |
Operational |
|
SCT Red & White |
QUBE |
19 Feb 1986 - Present |
Operational |
|
G522 |
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
7 Mar 1986 - Present |
Operational |
G523 |
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
30 Mar 1986 - Present |
Operational |
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
18 Apr 1986 - Present |
Stored |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
30 Apr 1986 - Present |
Operational |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
29 Mar 1988 - Present |
Operational |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
29 Apr 1988 - Present |
Operational |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
27 May 1988 - Present |
Operational |
|
G529 |
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
17 June 1988 - Present |
Operational |
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
13 Jul 1988 - Present |
Operational |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
15 Aug 1988 - Present |
Operational |
|
G532 |
QUBE |
QUBE |
7 Sep 1988 - Present |
Operational |
Freightliner |
One Rail Australia |
4 Nov 1988 - Present |
Operational |
|
Linx Cargo Care |
Linx Cargo Care |
30 Nov 1988 - Present |
Operational |
|
G535 |
Freightliner |
One Rail Australia |
21 Dec 1988 - Present |
Operational |
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
27 Feb 1989 - Present |
Operational |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
5 May 1989 - Present |
Operational |
|
G538 |
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
31 May 1989 - Present |
Operational |
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
29 Jun 1989 - Present |
Operational |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
2 Aug 1989 - Present |
Operational |
|
PN Blue & Yellow |
Pacific National |
11 Sep 1989 - Present |
Operational |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
14 Oct 1989 - Present |
Operational |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
30 Nov 1989 - Present |
Operational |
All information sourced from Power to the Rails by John Scott and Wikipedia