G Class

G535 (Len Weigh)

G534 (Len Weigh)

G532 (Michael Donahoo)

Locomotive numbers: G511-543

Model Number: JT26C-2SS (original); JT36C-2SS (rebuilds)

 
 

Type Diesel-Electric
Introduced 1984
Number in class 33
Manufacturer Clyde Engineering, Rosewater (G511-525)
Clyde Enginerring, Somerton (G526-543)
Gauge Broad, Standard 
Axles Co-Co 
Length 19.82 m
Mass 128 t
Engine EMD 16-645E3B (except rebuilds; see below) 
EMD 16-645F3B (rebuilds)
Alternator EMD AR16A-D18 (G511-515)
EMD AR11 (G516-543)
Traction motors EMD D77 (G511-525)
EMD D87 (G526-543)
Power 2460 kW / 3300 HP (except rebuilds; see below) 
2830 kW / 3800 HP (rebuilds)
Tractive effort 337 / 311 kN
Speed 114  / 18 km/h

The G class are the second-most recent locomotives in Victoria, and can be found on most freight services, including intercapital freights, and are regularly used for grain haulage. As well, they have been used for some Melbourne-Sydney passenger work. Some have spent time at DELEC or Dry Creek, and ventured as far away as Brisbane. Some have been leased to NR for a while.
The class can be divided into 4 subgroups, each with minor differences.
These are: Mk1 - G511-515; Mk2 - G516-525; Mk3 - G526-536; Mk4 - G537-543.

The G's currently on standard gauge are: G519-520, 522-523, 526, 528-531, 536-543. Most of these are now in use in NSW, on coal trains.
Those locos in NSW are used for hauling log and grain traffic. Two were withdrawn and scrapped following a collision in western Victoria.
Partly as a result of this, G523, 526, 529, 530, 531, 536, 541, and 543 have been rebuilt with more powerful engines.

QR National
Two locos were sold to QR National in 2004 for Melbourne-Brisbane freight use.

SCT
Nine G class were leased and later bought by SCT in 2007, becoming the first mainline locos in SCT ownership. They have been used on SCT's Melbourne - Perth trains. Once all the new locos (SCT001-0015) were in service, some of the G class were leased to other operators.

Named locomotives:  

G535
 Kevin Sheedy Express
G540 Wycheproof
G541 Birchip
G542 Warracknabeal

G535 (after purchase by SCT) was named after former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy (good to see the Bombers getting more recognition in this way!)

The other three locos are named after towns in the Wimmera-Mallee grain-growing area, where the Gs are regularly used to haul "wheaties".
 
 

Loco Serial # In Service Comments
G511 84-1239 11/1984 Sold to SCT; in service 12-2007
G512 84-1240 12/1984 Sold to SCT; in service 10-2007
G513 85-1241 12/1984 Sold to SCT; in service 12-2007
G514 85-1242 1/1985 Sold to SCT; in service 12-2007
G515 85-1243 1/1985 Sold to SCT; in service 11-2007
G516 85-1229 12/1985 Sold to QR National; in service 11-2004
G517 85-1230 3/1986 Withdrawn 1999
Scrapped 2001
G518 85-1231 2/1986 Withdrawn 1999
Scrapped 2001
G519 85-1232 12/1985
G520 85-1233 3/1986
G521 85-1234 2/1986 Sold to SCT; in service ?
G522 86-1235 3/1986
G523 86-1236 3/1986
G524 86-1237 4/1986
G525 86-1238 4/1986
G526 88-1256 3/1988
G527 88-1257 4/1988
G528 88-1258 5/1988
G529 88-1259 6/1988
G530 88-1260 7/1988
G531 88-1261 8/1988
G532 88-1262 9/1988 Sold to SCT; in service 8-2007
G533 88-1263 11/1988 Sold to SCT; in service 8-2007
G534 88-1264 11/1988 Sold to QR National; in service 11-2004
G535 88-1265 12/1988 Sold to SCT; in service 6-2007
G536 88-1266 2/1989
G537 89-1270 5/1989
G538 89-1271 5/1989
G539 89-1272 6/1989
G540 89-1273 8/1989
G541 89-1274 9/1989
G542 89-1275 10/1989
G543 89-1276 11/1989

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