L Class

3104 (John Cleverdon)



L270 (John Cleverdon)



L265 (Graham Elliott)

Locomotive numbers: L251-275

Model Number: GT26C  

Type Diesel-Electric
Introduced 1967
Number in class 26
Manufacturer Clyde Engineering, Granville (all except L274-275)
Comeng, Rocklea (L274-275)
Gauge Standard
Axles Co-Co 
Length 19.36 m
Mass 137 t
Engine EMD 16-645E3
Generator EMD AR10A4
Traction motors EMD D77
Power 2460 kW / 3300 HP
Tractive effort 337 / 298 kN
Speed 134 / 21 km/h

The L class was the first 3300HP loco on government rails in Australia, with it's primary use being to haul iron ore from Koolyanobbing to Perth or Esperance. As well, they have hauled the Indian Pacific. L274 and 275 were funded by Western Mining for one of their nickel projects, while L276 (not shown on this page) was bought as surplus from Comalco , following the transfer of a more modern loco from Goldsworthy to Comalco.
With the introduction of the Q class, withdrawls of the L class have begun, and now, just half remain in service. Seven of the class have been sold to Australian Transport Network for use on grain trains. The remainder have been scrapped or are in storage.
Four locos (3101-3104) have been overhauled and returned to service for construction work on the Alice-Darwin line. 3101-3102 were at Katherine, while 3103-3104 were at Tennant Creek. Two of the class are now in NSW on a Manildra Group contract.

Australian Transport Network:
These locos  are being used by ATN for grain traffic in Victoria and NSW. They haul grain from the grain terminal at Dimboola to Appleton Dock, as well as from the Riverina of NSW to the latter location.
251, 254 and 270 are already in ATN's livery.
One has gone to RTS, with three others going as spares.
251 also has the Q-Trac control system, to help boost tractive effort.
Two of these locos will be returning to ARG.

RTS:
L265 was being leased from RTS by QR National (Interail) for use in NSW; it eventually was bought by QRN. The same applies for L271.
L253 (and 276) are also being used as spares.

QR National:
Three (eventually) will be used by QR National for Melbourne-Briusbane and Hunter Valley traffic.

Named Locomotives:
3101 Kurra Kurraka
3102 Wagiman
3103 Aboriginal Stockman
3104 Purnu
L251
 Thunderbird 1
L254
 Enterprise NCC 1701
L265
 Simmo
L270
 Red Dwarf
L271
 John Douglas Kerr - Historian

The four renumbered L class have been given Aboriginal names during their work on the Alice-Darwin line.
Three of ATN's L class are named with sci-fi themes in mind.
I'm not sure of the origin of RTS' loco's name.
Jiohn Kerr was a Queensland railway historian and author.
 
Loco Serial # In Service Comments
L251 67-541 10/1967 Sold to ATN, In service 6-2000
L252 67-542 11/1967 Renumbered 3101
L253 67-543 12/1967 Sold to ATN, Never entered service
To Rail Technical Support Group as spares
L254 67-544 1/1968 Sold to ATN, In service 6-2000
L255 67-545 2/1968 Renumbered 3105
L256 67-546 3/1968 Renumbered 3106
L257 68-547 3/1968 Renumbered 3102
L258 68-548 3/1968 Renumbered 3107
L259 68-549 4/1968 Renumbered 3103
L260 68-550 5/1968
L261 68-551 8/1968
L262 68-552 8/1968
L263 68-553 10/1968 Renumbered 3111
L264 68-554 10/1968
L265 68-555 10/1968 Sold to ATN, In service 9-2000
To Rail Technical Support Group, In service 4-2003
Sold to QR National, In service 12-2004
L266 68-556 10/1968
L267 68-557 11/1968
L268 68-617 12/1968
L269 68-618 1/1969 Scrapped
L270 68-619 3/1969 Sold to ATN, In service 6-2000
L271 69-620 4/1969 Sold to ATN, Never entered service
Sold to Rail Technical Support Group, In service ?
Sold to QR National, In service 12-2004??
L272 69-621 5/1969
L273 69-622 6/1969 Renumbered 3104
L274 73-779 9/1973 Renumbered 3117
L275 73-780 10/1973

 
 
 

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