GM Class

GM1 (John Cleverdon)



22 (John Cleverdon)

GM22 (Mark Grace)

Locomotive numbers: GM1-47
 
Model Number:  ML1 (GM1-11) 
A7 (GM12-47 - original) 
A16C (GM12-47 - later)

 
Type Diesel-Electric
Introduced 1951
Number in class 47
Manufacturer Clyde Engineering, Granville
Gauge Standard  
Axles A1A-A1A (GM1-11) 
Co-Co (GM12-47)
Length 18.54 m
Mass 109 t (GM1-11) 
116 t (GM12-47)
Engine EMD 16-567B (GM1-11) 
EMD 16-567C (GM12-47)
Generator EMD D12
Traction motors EMD D27 (GM1-11) 
EMD D37 (GM12-21) 
EMD D47 (GM22-26) 
EMD D57 (GM27-29) 
EMD D67 (GM30-39) 
EMD D77 (GM40-47)
Power 1120 kW / 1500 HP (GM1-11) 
1340 kW / 1800 HP (GM12-47)
Tractive effort 184 / 132 kN (GM1-11) 
283 / 255 kN (GM12-47)
Speed 143 / 24 or 15 km/h

Note: GM1-11 are also known as the F class (Four motors), and GM12-47 are also known as the S class (Six motors).
The GM class were the first Clyde-built locos to appear in service. There was a bit of a race between Clyde and SAR as to who would be the first to produce Australia's first mainland mainline diesel loco, with Clyde's GM1 beating the SAR's 900 by just one day! They brought about a revolution as they replaced steam on the Trans-Australian line. More were ordered to cope with increased traffic, when the Marree line was standardised, and for increased coal traffic from Leigh Creek. Some were also loaned to VR in the early 70's. Despite their age, and several of the class being scrapped, some still hang on in service.
Twelve have been sold to Great Northern, with half of these being for spares (due to their poor condition).

GM1 holds the record of being the oldest commercially operational diesel locomotive in the country, and last year celebrated it's 50th birthday. Although there was no major party, a birthday event was still held, and photos can be seen on the Photo Gallery.
It is in and out of storage, depending on demand for motive power, and currently it is out of service.

GM30 is likely to be re-engined with a more powerful engine.
 
Great Northern:
These were used for mainline work, along with some trip trains. GM19 went to the West Coast Railway, in a swap for B75. The remainder were sold to CFCLA.

CFCLA:
Only three of these locos are currently in use, while the other two have been sold for shells. The three in use are leased to Southern Shorthaul Railroad.


Named locomotives:  

GM1 Robert Gordon Menzies
GM3 Ray E Purves
GM22 Hubert Opperman
GM36 C J Stomann

Bob Menzies was Prime Minister at the time of the introduction of the class.
Ray Purves was the founder of Clyde Industries.
Hubert Opperman was the well-known cyclist and later politician.
C J Stomann was a past president of the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre.
 

Preserved locomotives:  

GM2 National Railway Museum
GM28 Port Pirie station (static display), renumbered GM22
GM36 Seymour Railway Heritage Centre
GM41
Privately owned (Bendigo area - cab only)

 
 

Loco Serial # In Service Comments
GM1 ML1-1 9/1951 Stored
GM2 ML1-2 11/1951 Preserved
GM3 ML1-3 12/1951 Sold to EDI-Clyde (Kelso), for use as shunter
GM4 ML1-4 1/1952 Scrapped
GM5 ML1-5 1/1952 Scrapped
GM6 ML1-6 2/1952 Scrapped
GM7 ML1-7 3/1952 Scrapped
GM8 ML1-8 3/1952 Scrapped
GM9 ML1-9 4/1952 Scrapped
GM10 ML1-10 6/1952 Sold to Great Northern, In service 5-2000
Sold to CFCLA, In service ?-2003
GM11 ML1-11 7/1952 Scrapped
GM12 55-70 10/1955 Sold to Great Northern (never entered service)
Sold to CFCLA (never entered service)
Sold to RTS as shell
GM13 55-72 11/1955 Scrapped
GM14 56-84 4/1956 Sold/Scrapped to Great Northern as spares
GM15 56-88 4/1956 Scrapped
GM16 56-97 7/1956 Scrapped
GM17 57-137 3/1957 Scrapped
GM18 57-139 4/1957 Sold/Scrapped to Great Northern as spares
GM19 57-148 5/1957 Sold to Great Northern (never entered service)
Sold to West Coast Railway (never entered service)
Sold to Rail Power, Goulburn
GM20 57-151 6/1957 Scrapped
GM21 57-158 7/1957 Scrapped
GM22 62-252 7/1962 Sold to Great Northern, In service 12-1998
Sold to CFCLA, In service 12-2002
GM23 62-253 8/1962 Scrapped
GM24 62-254 9/1962 Scrapped
GM25 62-255 10/1962 Sold to Great Northern (never entered service)
Sold to CFCLA (never entered service)
Sold to RTS as shell
GM26 62-256 11/1962 Sold/Scrapped to Great Northern as spares
GM27 62-267 1/1963 Sold to Great Northern, In service 5-1999
Sold to CFCLA, In service ?-2004
GM28 62-268 2/1963 Preserved
GM29 62-269 3/1963 Scrapped
GM30 64-366 12/1964
GM31 64-367 1/1965 Scrapped
GM32 64-368 1/1965
GM33 64-369 3/1965 Sold/Scrapped to Great Northern as spares
GM34 64-370 4/1965
GM35 66-444 4/1966 Sold/Scrapped to Great Northern as spares
GM36 66-445 5/1966 Preserved - operational
GM37 66-446 6/1966
GM38 66-447 6/1966
GM39 66-448 7/1966 Scrapped
GM40 66-526 1/1967
GM41 67-527 2/1967 Sold/Scrapped/Preserved to Great Northern as spares
GM42 67-528 2/1967
GM43 67-529 3/1967
GM44 67-530 4/1967
GM45 67-531 5/1967
GM46 67-532 6/1967
GM47 67-533 12/1967

 

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