GML10 is a diesel-electric locomotive built by Clyde Engineering, Kelso for the Goldsworthy Mining Company in 1990. It is currently operated by Qube.
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 GML10 in Fremantle, October 2022. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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History
editGML10's design is a hybrid of two earlier classes of Clyde-built locomotives, its frame and bodywork are essentially copied from the N class built for V/Line between 1985 and 1987, while its traction equipment and mechanical configuration is much closer to that employed on Australian National's DL class.[1]
Construction commenced almost immediately after the final DL class unit had been delivered, and in April 1990, the new locomotive undertook a trial run of approximately 82 kilometres to Lithgow.[2] It was subsequently worked to Perth in May 1990 at the head of a normal freight service, before being moved by road to the Goldsworthy railway.[3][4]
Goldsworthy were acquired by BHP in late 1990, and during the amalgamation with BHP's other railway operations GML10 was renumbered to GML20 to avoid having two locomotives both using number 10.[5][6]
In 1994 BHP listed the locomotive for sale, having elected to standardise on an all General Electric fleet.[6] It was purchased by Comalco in August of that year and renumber R1004, for use on its 20 km (12 mi) bauxite railway at Weipa, Queensland.[6][4][7]
In 2009, R1004 was sold to Australian Locolease who resold it to Qube. In late 2010, it was shipped to Newcastle before being taken to Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia's Goulburn Railway Workshops for overhaul in March 2011.[4][8] It returned to service in August 2011 as GML10 operating Qube services in South Australia and Victoria.
Though Clyde never built another GML class locomotive, the design did become the basis of FreightCorp's 82 class and Westrail's S class, both of which were also designated as JT42Cs.[6] GML10 itself would be replaced by two JT42Cs in 2009.
In 2021, GML10 was transferred to Western Australia to work Watco Australia's Forrestfield to Fremantle Harbour intermodal container service.
Liveries
editGML10 was outshopped in a version of the V/Line orange and grey colour scheme, albeit without logos. After Goldsworthy's acquisition by BHP, it was repainted into BHP blue and white. After being sold to Comalco, it was repainted in their yellow and red colour scheme. Since 2011, it has worn Qube's silver and yellow.
References
edit- ^ "Goldsworthy Mining's New Locomotive", The Westland, no. 57, p. 7, September 1989
- ^ Railway Digest July 1990 page 251
- ^ "New Goldsworthy Locomotive Delivered", The Westland, no. 66, p. 8, June 1990
- ^ a b c Around Australia with R1004 and friends Railway Digest April 2011 page 26
- ^ GML10 Renumbered The Westland issue 96 January 1993 page 11
- ^ a b c d Oberg, Leon (2007). Locomotives of Australia: 1850s-2007. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 411. ISBN 978-1-877058-54-7.
- ^ "Forgotten Railway of Queensland: Comalco Rail Operations Weipa", 'Motive Power, no. 62, p. 74, February 2009
- ^ Australian Locolease News Motive Power issue 74 March 2011 page 6