Foreign Affairs - Werris Creek, NSW.
Queensland Railways had the 2800 class built in Townsville between 1995/8 for use on its extensive 3’6” gauge system in the state of Queensland, Australia. They were QR’s first and indeed only double ended diesel locomotives design and can be identified otherwise aurally by their very deep throated GE engine gurgle (as I would call it).
The 2800 class were ordered to haul passenger and freight services on the North Coast line between Rockhampton and Cairns and on the Great Northern line between Townsville and Mount Isa. The initial order for 40 was later increased to 50. However a miscommunication resulted in the builder's plates incorrectly being stamped as 202 to 211 which had been used by other A Goninan & Co locomotives, rather than the correct 323 to 332.
They now operate trains as far south as Brisbane. They are the only double ended diesel electric locomotives to have been built for Queensland Rail.
In February 2006, one locomotive was fitted with standard gauge bogies for use by QR National in New South Wales and Victoria, but the NSW Environment Protection Authority refused permission for it to be used in that state due to excessive noise emissions. In August 2009 it was converted back to narrow gauge for use in Western Australia. In 2013 three were reclassified as the 3200 class for use in NSW, following the installation of standard gauge bogies and a modified exhaust system that reduced low frequency noise emissions.
In 2015, 2814 derailed on the Mount Isa Line at Julia Creek, spilling sulphuric acid. 2814 flipped on its side and was deemed to damaged to repair, and as such was scrapped in 2017. The locos in NSW are currently being used on secondary duties.
A number of years back, Aurizon gauge converted (and renumbered) several units to standard gauge for coal and other duties in New South Wales, the first being 2819 I believe. Three are currently on the books as 3200 class 3209, 3215 and 3221, the last two digits of each number being also the last two digits of their previous 2800 class number. With 2814 written off, the three 3200’s mentioned above, where is 2819 which is missing from the Queensland register. Well, it’s in Western Australia where Aurizon now has a large presence over the former Western Australia Government Railways system as PA class 2819. This is very typical of QR’s locomotives, spread far and wide across Australia or the world.
Former QR locos have been sold to operators in nearly every state, New Zealand, Malaysia, The Phillipines, Vietnam, Africa including particularly South Africa, The Congo, Namibia and other African countries, couple went to the USA, lots to Chile and I am sure I have forgotten a few. Lots have been rebuilt to different forms, even to two foot gauge for sugar cane traffic in Queensland while some have even recently come home from Africa to start a new life with Watco in Queensland hauling grain and perhaps other traffic.
Foreign Affairs - Werris Creek, NSW.
Queensland Railways had the 2800 class built in Townsville between 1995/8 for use on its extensive 3’6” gauge system in the state of Queensland, Australia. They were QR’s first and indeed only double ended diesel locomotives design and can be identified otherwise aurally by their very deep throated GE engine gurgle (as I would call it).
The 2800 class were ordered to haul passenger and freight services on the North Coast line between Rockhampton and Cairns and on the Great Northern line between Townsville and Mount Isa. The initial order for 40 was later increased to 50. However a miscommunication resulted in the builder's plates incorrectly being stamped as 202 to 211 which had been used by other A Goninan & Co locomotives, rather than the correct 323 to 332.
They now operate trains as far south as Brisbane. They are the only double ended diesel electric locomotives to have been built for Queensland Rail.
In February 2006, one locomotive was fitted with standard gauge bogies for use by QR National in New South Wales and Victoria, but the NSW Environment Protection Authority refused permission for it to be used in that state due to excessive noise emissions. In August 2009 it was converted back to narrow gauge for use in Western Australia. In 2013 three were reclassified as the 3200 class for use in NSW, following the installation of standard gauge bogies and a modified exhaust system that reduced low frequency noise emissions.
In 2015, 2814 derailed on the Mount Isa Line at Julia Creek, spilling sulphuric acid. 2814 flipped on its side and was deemed to damaged to repair, and as such was scrapped in 2017. The locos in NSW are currently being used on secondary duties.
A number of years back, Aurizon gauge converted (and renumbered) several units to standard gauge for coal and other duties in New South Wales, the first being 2819 I believe. Three are currently on the books as 3200 class 3209, 3215 and 3221, the last two digits of each number being also the last two digits of their previous 2800 class number. With 2814 written off, the three 3200’s mentioned above, where is 2819 which is missing from the Queensland register. Well, it’s in Western Australia where Aurizon now has a large presence over the former Western Australia Government Railways system as PA class 2819. This is very typical of QR’s locomotives, spread far and wide across Australia or the world.
Former QR locos have been sold to operators in nearly every state, New Zealand, Malaysia, The Phillipines, Vietnam, Africa including particularly South Africa, The Congo, Namibia and other African countries, couple went to the USA, lots to Chile and I am sure I have forgotten a few. Lots have been rebuilt to different forms, even to two foot gauge for sugar cane traffic in Queensland while some have even recently come home from Africa to start a new life with Watco in Queensland hauling grain and perhaps other traffic.