Apart from the Z and ZA and the two Y class locomotives, all the engines currently being used by Tasrail have come to the state after serving time (and being worn out) in other parts of Australia. Except for 2 D class that originated in Western Australia, all the members of the DQ, QR (slugs) ZR/ZP, ZB and ZC classes originated in Queensland. The DQs and QRs were the first General Motors powered locos to run in Tasmania, and after 6 years have proven to be no great improvement over the English Electrics they were supposed to replace. But much of this could be put down to the fact they were well used by the time they arrived, in spite of extensive rebuilds and modernization. Now thanks to Bob Overson, we can see how well used they looked in the years before they made their way to Tasmania.
The first General Motors design locomotive to arrive was originally 1521,
but after rebuilding in New Zealand it emerged as a completely different machineDQ 2001, as shown below. Shown here at Burnie on August 11, 2004, 1521 now 2001 has been hard at work in Tasmania
since September 1998. With 2001 is another ex Queensland loco, formerly 2355. This was rebuilt in the Tasrail workshops in Launceston 1522 which became 2002 arrived in the same shipment as 1521/2001 Also pictured at Burnie on August 11, like 2001, 2002 is showing plenty of grime. 1508 became 2003 A clean 2003 in Hobart, November 1999, pic courtesy Luke Negri. The next batch of DQs, as the class is known, were painted in the livery
of part owner at the time, Wisconsin Central (USA) 1502 became 2004 At Mawbanna, March 27 2003, last train from Wiltshire. 2004 has since had a major engine failure, currently out of service 1468 became 2005 2005 at Burnie 1465 became 2006 2006 about to cross the Black River bridge, last train to Wiltshire, March 27 2003 1485 became 2007 2007 among the flowers at Penguin, 22 July 2004, 9.59am. 1472 became 2008 In the snow at the "old" Goodwood, Melba line 19 Sep 2002 1491 became 2009 1466 became 2010
2010 spends much of its time on the cement train between Railton and Devonport. (Photo to be added) 1495 became 2011 2011 near Dunorlan 1497 became 2012 2012 at Burnie 1477 became 2062 Some of the locomotives were transferred to Tasmania without rebuilding, to be used as "slugs" coupled between
DQs. At Burnie August 11 2004, the original number is quite evident under all the grime. Shortly after entering service, 2062 at Burnie in a much cleaner state English Electric 2351 became ZB class 2121. These engines were the first Queensland locos to arrive in the state, during 1987 2121 at Burnie, about to head to Black River, 2003 2354 became 2123 2123 at Georgetown, 15 June 2001 2361 became ZB12 then 2126 Shown here just west of Somerset, ZB12 and companion were sent west to rescue the log train, which
had problems with its Alcos. Note that the peculiar sun shade is still fitted to this unit. In the snow at Tena Road 21 August 2001. The sunshade came off in the early 90s, when the loco was painted in the yellow reverse livery. 2370 became 2127 2127 at East Wynyard,28 Dec 2000. Now out of service.
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