Diesel-Electric 2100
Diesel-Electric 2100 was built for Queensland Rail in 1972, though as we'll see shortly the front has been modified since. It mainly served in the Gladstone area pulling coal. This entire class of locomotive was sold to TasRail in 1987. But there is an interesting story to be told about the history of 2100 during its time in Tasmania.
"2100 enter(ed) service in Tasmania as ZB9. Stored in 1994 following a major engine fire, the decision was made by AN Tasrail to send the burnt out remains to the Australian National Railways workshops at Port Augusta for a heavy rebuild. This included a radical (for the time) cab design and a cutting edge (for the time!) computerised control system, with plans for this to be the prototype for converting at least another 8 locomotives. On returning to Tasmania the loco (now numbered ZR1) entered a period of testing and evaluation but was operationally an orphan due to the new control system.
In 1997 ZB6 suffered a similar engine fire and was likewise converted to the new specifications but here in the East Tamar (Launceston) workshops. Due to some slight differences (most notably the cab design) it was decided to number the new locomotive ZR2 but reclassify ZR1 as ZP1 (Z Prototype), these two operating as a fixed pair for many years on the demanding "Paper Train" service between Boyer and Burnie. Placed out of service in 2014 due to being run without water in the engine, it likewise suffered from the copper thieves. Sadly, due to the way she was rewired in the 90s, the main heavy electrical cables were very easily accessible for those with bad intentions. Again, I don't want to say it'll never run again but given the time investment required, it's unlikely. Having said that, we do have a volunteer who seems interested in taking on the challenge!"
www.reddit.com/r/trains/comments/14q4m7e/three_more_big_e...
Diesel-Electric 2100
Diesel-Electric 2100 was built for Queensland Rail in 1972, though as we'll see shortly the front has been modified since. It mainly served in the Gladstone area pulling coal. This entire class of locomotive was sold to TasRail in 1987. But there is an interesting story to be told about the history of 2100 during its time in Tasmania.
"2100 enter(ed) service in Tasmania as ZB9. Stored in 1994 following a major engine fire, the decision was made by AN Tasrail to send the burnt out remains to the Australian National Railways workshops at Port Augusta for a heavy rebuild. This included a radical (for the time) cab design and a cutting edge (for the time!) computerised control system, with plans for this to be the prototype for converting at least another 8 locomotives. On returning to Tasmania the loco (now numbered ZR1) entered a period of testing and evaluation but was operationally an orphan due to the new control system.
In 1997 ZB6 suffered a similar engine fire and was likewise converted to the new specifications but here in the East Tamar (Launceston) workshops. Due to some slight differences (most notably the cab design) it was decided to number the new locomotive ZR2 but reclassify ZR1 as ZP1 (Z Prototype), these two operating as a fixed pair for many years on the demanding "Paper Train" service between Boyer and Burnie. Placed out of service in 2014 due to being run without water in the engine, it likewise suffered from the copper thieves. Sadly, due to the way she was rewired in the 90s, the main heavy electrical cables were very easily accessible for those with bad intentions. Again, I don't want to say it'll never run again but given the time investment required, it's unlikely. Having said that, we do have a volunteer who seems interested in taking on the challenge!"
www.reddit.com/r/trains/comments/14q4m7e/three_more_big_e...