Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Brad White, Ian Green, Thomas McIntosh and Alex Thorn
Page Last Updated: 28/8/20
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Locomotive Info:
Type: Diesel-Electric Manufactured: Clyde Engineering, Kelso Number Built: 1 Model: JT42C Loco Length: 18.87 Meters Weight: 132 tonnes Engine: EMD 12-710G3 Alternator: EMD AR11-WBA-CA5 Traction Motors: EMD D87ETR Horsepower: 3300 Max Speed: 120 km/h |
GML10-8044-8037 on QUBE grain #7762V at Maryborough. (12/7/20)
Photo By: Brad White |
The Goldsworthy Mining Company were looking to buy a new locomotive towards the end of the 1980’s, settling on a design that similarly resembled V/line’s N class locomotives. Mechanically however, GMC opted to include an EMD 710G3A engine which had been used for the DL class locomotives of Australian National. This gave the locomotive a higher power of 2259kW which was better suited to the operations it would be used for. Larger radiators would be fitted as well as a larger dynamic brake unit where the head end power generator would have been in the N class design. This design would also become the basis for the Freight Corp 82 class.
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GML10 idles in Appleton Dock. (8/6/19)
Photo By: Thomas McIntosh |
GML10 and N453 show their design similarities in South Dynon. (27/8/11)
Photo By: Ian Green |
The singular locomotive was complete by Clyde in Kelso by 1990. It wore the standard V/line orange and grey livery with Goldsworthy badges on the cab sides and the number GML10. The locomotive undertook a trial run to Lithgow in April 1990 before travelling to Perth in May. It was trucked from there to the Goldsworthy railway to begin operations for ore traffic between Finucane Island and Mount Goldsworthy, Shay Gap and Nimingarra.
BHP Iron Ore acquired the Goldsworthy Mining Company in late 1990. The GML was repainted into a blue and white BHP livery. GML10 was renumbered to GML20 to avoid having two locomotives both using number 10. In 1994, BHP put the locomotive up for sale as they wished to have an all General Electric fleet of locomotives. The buyer was Comalco who wished to use the locomotive of their short bauxite line at Weipa, Queensland.
BHP Iron Ore acquired the Goldsworthy Mining Company in late 1990. The GML was repainted into a blue and white BHP livery. GML10 was renumbered to GML20 to avoid having two locomotives both using number 10. In 1994, BHP put the locomotive up for sale as they wished to have an all General Electric fleet of locomotives. The buyer was Comalco who wished to use the locomotive of their short bauxite line at Weipa, Queensland.
GML10-8044-8030 with #7761V at Galvin. (20/8/19)
Photo By: Alex Thorn |
GML10-8037-RL310 stabled with a QUBE grain at Somerton Loop. (10/7/15)
Photo By: Ian Green |
Once delivered, it was renumbered R1004 and repainted into their all over yellow livery with a red stripe along the body. It largely replaced R1002 which was a GT26C model based off the WAGR L class design. This would later be old to Westrail. R1001 (also based off of the L class) and R1004 worked alongside each other until they were both sold off the railway, being replaced with newer power in 2009.
They were purchased by Australian Locolease, R1004 being sold to Qube Logistics. Both were shipped to Newcastle in 2010 before R1004 undertook testing still wearing its former Comalco livery. In March 2011, R1004 was taken to CFCLA’s Goulburn workshops where it was overhauled, repainted into Qube livery and renumbered back to GML10.
They were purchased by Australian Locolease, R1004 being sold to Qube Logistics. Both were shipped to Newcastle in 2010 before R1004 undertook testing still wearing its former Comalco livery. In March 2011, R1004 was taken to CFCLA’s Goulburn workshops where it was overhauled, repainted into Qube livery and renumbered back to GML10.
GML10-RL309 with an empty QUBE Grain to Somerton at Albion. (9/6/15)
Photo By: Ian Green |
GML10-RL303-G511 #7CM4 at Tottenham. (12/11/16)
Photo By: Ian Green |
Today, GML10 is still owned by Qube however its work has become scarce. It has been banned from running into NSW due to EPA noise regulations, and is currently based in Melbourne. It can be seen on the occasional grain train or shunting around the Melbourne freight terminals.
Locomotive Status
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Begun Service |
Current State |
GML10 |
QUBE Yellow |
QUBE Logistics |
Apr 1990 - Present |
Operational |
All information sourced from Australian Locomotive Guide (Peter Clark), Power To The Rails (John Scott) and Wikipedia