Queensland Railways DH class
DH8 at Innisfail in May 1986
Type and origin Power type Diesel-hydraulic Builder Walkers Limited, Maryborough Model GH500 Build date 1966-1974 Total produced 73
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC B′B′  • Commonwealth B-B Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Length 12.65 m (41 ft 6 in) Loco weight 37 t (36 long tons; 41 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover Caterpillar D355E Transmission Voith L42U2
Performance figures Maximum speed 50 km/h (31 mph) Power output 347 kW (470 hp) Tractive effort 114 kN (26,000 lbf)
Career Operators Queensland Railways Number in class 73 Numbers DH1-DH73 First run 1966 Preserved DH2, DH5, DH14, DH37, DH38, DH45, DH59, DH71, DH72, DH73 Current owner Vietnam Railways, Puffing Billy Railway, Walhalla Goldfields Railway

QR DH class locomotive converted to 2ft gauge for use on Queensland's sugar cane networks.

The DH class is a class of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for Queensland Railways between 1966 and 1974.

History

In 1966, Queensland Railways tested a Walkers Limited built diesel-hydraulic shunting locomotive. This was later purchased and by 1974, the 73 DH class locomotives had taken over shunting duties in most Queensland yards.^[1] They were also used on short-distance freight services. With the closure of many freight yards and the move to longer trains, withdrawals started in the 1980s. Many were sold for further use on Queensland sugar cane railways.^[2][3]

• 29 were rebuilt to 610 mm (2 ft) gauge for use at sugar mills around Queensland.
• 4 were rebuilt to 900 mm (2 ft 11+7⁄16 in) gauge for use on the Yallourn 900mm Railway in Victoria, and subsequently converted to 610 mm (2 ft) gauge for use at sugar mills in Queensland.
• 13 were exported to Vietnam and 2 to Malaysia as large diesel shunters for use on 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) gauge.

Preservation

DH2 is retained by the Queensland Rail Heritage division. Privately owned DH71 is also on site.

DH14 was used at Old Ghan Heritage Railway and Museum, near Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Is stored due to trains not running.

In 1995, DH59 was purchased by the Puffing Billy Railway, which operates in Victoria. It was re-gauged to 762 mm (2 ft 6 in), reclassified as DH31, and is used as a replacement for steam locomotives on days of total fire ban.^[4] It has since been joined by DH5.

As of 2017, DH31 is currently re-numbered back to its original DH59.

In 2010, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway in Victoria purchased DH37. The locomotive is stored on a section of 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) track in the Walhalla yard, awaiting re-gauging to the Walhalla Railway's 762 mm (2 ft 6 in) gauge. In June 2012, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway also bought DH72, which will also be stored until funds are available to re-gauge it to 762 mm.^[5]

DH38 spent the majority of its working life in the Northern part of the state, especially around the Mackay area. Following a major failure – notably a large hole blown in the engine block following a crankcase explosion – the locomotive was withdrawn on 5 July 1991. After purchase by the ARHS Qld, DH38 underwent a major restoration involving rebuilding the engine and electrical system as well as having all axles and wheels replaced due to cracks.

Privately owned DH45 is currently leased, since 2015, to Southern Downs Steam Railway as a backup for SDSR's C17 steam locomotive.^[6]

DH73 has been acquired by DownerEDi Marybrough to be used as a shunting locomotive. It is named Hugh Boge.^[7] dead link

Status table of preserved locomotives

References