History of the Pacific National MKA class locomotives.

The eight MKA locomotives began life as Queensland Railways 1320 class, before being sold to AN Tasrail and were shipped to Tasmania in 1988.  In 1994 the locomotives were purchased by  Morrison Knudsen and were shipped to their factory in Whyalla, South Australia for rebuilding and eventual leasing to operators. The locomotive rebuild program saw the construction of a cab, complete mechanical and electrical overhaul and installation of equipment so that the 110v control system could operate with the more common 75v system found in many other locomotives.

MKA 1 to 4 worked in Malaysia, MKA5 & MKA6 worked at BHP in Whyalla before going to southern Africa for industrial service. In 2004, MKA1 to 3 were purchased by Pacific National for use in Queensland. MKA4,  MKA7 and MKA8 were acquired by Pacific National Tasmania.

When MKA1, MKA2 and MKA3 became surplus to requirements in Queensland, they were purchased and arrived in Tasmania in 2007.

UNIT NO. / NAME

DATE / EVENT

MKA 1 / 2131

  • Mid 1994 - Rebuild to MKA1 completed at M.K.A. Co. Whyalla, South Australia (ref Q.R. No. 1332 (ZC33 *not carried))

  • 01/1995 - Leased to Keretapi Tanah Melayu [KTM] Workshops, Malaysia & converted to metre gauge (1000mm)

  • 02/1995 - Shipped from Port Pirie to Malaysia

  • Mid 1995 - late 1996 - Cover locos for K.T.M. during overhaul of KTM Hitachi 23 class & Toshiba 24 class

  • Late 1996 - late 1999 - Stored at Klang, Malaysia (due bankruptcy of owners MKACo.)

  • 03/2001 - Shipped back to Port Pirie, South Australia for further storage at Whyalla

  • 03/2003 - Transported to NREC workshops, Islington, Adelaide, South Australia (reconverted to 1067mm gauge)

  • 06/2004 - Sold by RTS to Pacific National, Queensland and transported to Maryborough, Queensland

  • 22/06/2004 - Light engine trial - Walkers Ltd, Maryborough to Maryborough West

  • 13/07/2004 - Mainline trial - (with MKA2) Train LJP1 Maryborough West to Isis & return (testing Torbanlea to Colton)

  • 07/2004 - 09/2005 - In PNQ intermodal service, whilst PN class being constructed

  • 23/09/2005 - Ran light (with MKA2 & MKA3) from P.N. Moolabin yard to Gympie for storage

  • 09/2005 - Nov. 2006 - Stored out of service at Gympie, Queensland

  • 28/11/2006 - Towed from Gympie to Maryborough as engine transfer LMP1

  • 29/11/2006 - Sold to P.N. (Tas.) & transported to RTS South Dynon, Melbourne for refurbishment

  • 24/04/2007 - Shipped from Melbourne to Burnie & transported to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 24/07/2007 - Entered service renumbered PNT No. 2131 & repainted in PNT blue / yellow livery

  • 11/12/2008 - Derailed at Colebrook. Rear hood damaged by jacknifing trailling 'DQ'

  • 12/2008 - 10/2009 - Undergoing collision damage repairs

  • 04/2009 - Received replacement rear hood from stored No. 2146 (ZC42)

  • 07/10/2009 - Returned to service

  • 06/2010 - Fitted with ZTR traction control

  • 01/2011 - Fitted with walkway handrails

  • 07/2011 - Painted with the new Tasrail logo (replacing deleted PN logo)

  • 21/03/2013 - 17/05/2013 - Out of service at East Tamar (replacement of engine)

  • 31/07/2014 - Withdrawn and stored out of service at East Tamar

MKA 2 / 2132

  • Mid 1994 - Rebuild to MKA2 completed at M.K.A. Co. Whyalla, South Australia (ref Q.R. No. 1329 (ZC30 *not carried)

  • 01/1995 - Leased to Keretapi Tanah Melayu [KTM] Workshops, Malaysia & converted to metre gauge (1000mm)

  • 02/1995 - Shipped from Port Pirie to Malaysia

  • Mid 1995 - late 1996 - Cover locos for K.T.M. during overhaul of KTM Hitachi 23 class & Toshiba 24 class

  • Late 1996 - late 1999 - Stored at Klang, Malaysia (due bankruptcy of owners MKACo.)

  • 03/2001 - Shipped back to Port Pirie, South Australia for further storage at Whyalla

  • 03/2003 - Transported to NREC workshops, Islington, Adelaide, South Australia (reconverted to 1067mm gauge)

  • 06/2004 - Sold by RTS to Pacific National, Queensland and transported to Maryborough, Queensland

  • 22/06/2004 - Light engine trial - Walkers Ltd, Maryborough to Maryborough West

  • 13/07/2004 - Mainline trial - (with MKA1) Train LJP1 Maryborough West to Isis & return (testing Torbanlea to Colton)

  • 07/2004 - 09/2005 - In PNQ intermodal service, whilst PN class being constructed

  • 23/09/2005 - Ran light (with MKA1 & MKA3) from P.N. Moolabin yard to Gympie for storage

  • 09/2005 - 11/2006 - Stored out of service at Gympie, Queensland

  • 28/11/2006 - Towed from Gympie to Maryborough as engine transfer LMP1

  • 29/11/2006 - Sold to P.N. (Tas.) & transported to RTS South Dynon, Melbourne for refurbishment

  • 22/05/2007 - Shipped from Melbourne to Burnie & transported to East Tamar, Launceston 

  • 24/09/2007 - Entered service renumbered PNT No. 2132 & repainted in PNT blue / yellow livery

  • 03/2010 - Fitted with ZTR traction control

  • 07/2011 - Painted with the new Tasrail logo (replacing deleted PN logo)

  • 08/08/2012 - 23/10/2012 - Out of service at East Tamar (engine faults)

  • 25/02/2014 - Out of service at East Tamar (axle fault)

  • 01/05/2014 - Withdrawn and stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston

MKA 3 / 2133

  • Mid 1994 - Rebuild to MKA3 completed at M.K.A. Co. Whyalla, South Australia (ref ZC26 (ex Q.R. No. 1325)

  • 01/1995 - Leased to Keretapi Tanah Melayu [KTM] Workshops, Malaysia & converted to metre gauge (1000mm)

  • 02/1995 - Shipped from Port Pirie to Malaysia

  • Mid 1995 - late 1996 - Cover locos for K.T.M. during overhaul of KTM Hitachi 23 class & Toshiba 24 class

  • Late 1996 - late 1999 - Stored at Klang, Malaysia (due bankruptcy of owners MKACo.)

  • 03/2001 - Shipped back to Port Pirie, South Australia for further storage at Whyalla

  • 03/2003 - Transported to NREC workshops, Islington, Adelaide, S.A. (reconverted to 1067mm gauge)

  • 07/2004 - Sold by RTS to Pacific National, Queensland and transported to Maryborough, Queensland

  • 23/08/2004 - Trial run Maryborough to Maryborough West as LMP4

  • 08/2004 - 09/2005 - In PNQ intermodal service, whilst PN class being constructed

  • 23/09/2005 - Ran light (with MKA2 & MKA1) from P.N. Moolabin yard to Gympie for storage

  • 09/2005 - 11/2006 - Stored out of service at Gympie, Queensland

  • 28/11/2006 - Towed from Gympie to Maryborough as engine transfer LMP1

  • 29/11/2006 - Sold to P.N. (Tas.) & transported to RTS South Dynon, Melbourne for refurbishment

  • 24/04/2007 - Shipped from Melbourne to Burnie & transported to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 24/07/2007 - Entered service renumbered PNT No. 2133 & repainted in PNT blue / yellow livery

  • 07/2010 - Fitted with ZTR traction control

  • 03/2011 - Painted with the new Tasrail logo (replacing deleted PN logo)

  • 05/2012 - July 2012 - Out of service at ETJ (replacement of engine (replacement 12CSVT ex EWS Class 37 (U.K.)

  • 31/07/2014 - Withdrawn and stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston

MKA 4 / 2134

  • Late 1994 - Rebuild to MKA4 completed at M.K.A. Co. Whyalla, S.A. (ref ZC21 (ex Q.R. No. 1320)

  • 01/1995 - Leased to Keretapi Tanah Melayu [KTM] Workshops, Malaysia & converted to metre gauge (1000mm)

  • 02/1995 - Shipped from Port Pirie to Malaysia

  • Mid 1995 - late 1996 - Cover locos for K.T.M. during overhaul of KTM Hitachi 23 class & Toshiba 24 class

  • Late 1996 - late 1999 - Stored at Klang, Malaysia (due bankruptcy of owners MKACo.)

  • 03/2001 - Shipped back to Port Pirie, South Australia for further storage at Whyalla

  • 03/2003 - Transported to NREC workshops, Islington, Adelaide, South Australia (reconverted to 1067mm gauge)

  • 26/11/2004 - Transported from Adelaide (Islington) to Melbourne

  • 07/12/2004 - Shipped from Melbourne to Burnie aboard the ship "Tasmania Achiever"

  • 10/12/2004 - 22/12/2004 - Hauled to Deloraine for repainting in P.N. blue / yellow livery & renumbering to No. 2134

  • 17/03/2005 - Commenced testing at East Tamar

  • 10/2005 - 11/2005 - Various trial runs

  • 02/11/2005 - First run in multiple with 2137 & 2138

  • 01/2006 - Entered general service

  • 04/2010 - Fitted with ZTR traction control

  • 07/2011 - Painted with the new Tasrail logo (replacing deleted PN logo)

  • 12/12/2011 - 10/2/2012 - Out of service at ETJ (replacement of engine (replacement 12CSVT ex EWS Class 37 (U.K.)

  • 08/07/2014 - Withdrawn and stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston

MKA 5

  • Early 1995 - Rebuild to MKA5 completed at M.K.A. Co. Whyalla, S.A.  (ref ZC41 (ex Q.R. No. 1340) 

  • 12/1996 - 12/1999 - On lease to BHP Whyalla. Intermittent runs on the Iron Duke Line

  • Early 2002 - Sold to SEFICS Senegal. Regauged to 3' 3⅜" (1000mm) by RTS

  • 11/04/2002 - Shipped from Port Pirie to Dakar, Senegal aboard the ship "BBC St. John"

  • 06/2002 - Arrived Dakar, Senegal. Reumbered SEFICS No. CC2025

  • 2002 - Regular service with Société d'Exploitation Ferroviaire des ICS (Industries Chimiques Du Senegal)

  • 12/2009 - Repainted to SEFICS yellow / green livery

  • 01/05/2015 - onwards - Working between ICS mine sites and Port of Dakar via Societe Transrail

  • 22/01/2017 - Stored as parts source at Darou

MKA 6

  • Early 1995 - Rebuild to MKA6 completed at M.K.A. Co. Whyalla, South Australia  (ref ZC22 (ex Q.R. No. 1321)

  • 12/1996 - 12/1999 - On lease to BHP Whyalla. Intermittent runs on the Iron Duke LineNew List Item

  • Early 2002 - Sold to SEFICS Senegal. Regauged to 3' 3⅜" (1000mm) by RTS

  • 11/04/2002 - Shipped from Port Pirie to Dakar, Senegal aboard the ship "BBC St. John"

  • 06/2002 - Arrived Dakar, Senegal. Reumbered SEFICS No. CC2026

  • 2002 - onwards - Regular service with Société d'Exploitation Ferroviaire des ICS (Industries Chimiques Du Senegal)

  • 12/2009 - Repainted to SEFICS yellow / green livery

  • 01/05/2015 - Working between ICS mine sites and Port of Dakar via Societe Transrail

  • 22/01/2017 - Stored as parts source at Darou

MKA 7 / 2137

  • Early 1995 - Early 2003 - Rebuild completed but stored uncommissioned at M.K.Co. Whyalla

  • 03/2003 - Transported (by road) to Islington, Adelaide

  • Mid 2004 - Commissioning as MKA7 completed by Rail Technical Services Inc. (ref ZC27 (ex Q.R. No. 1326)

  • 26/11/2004 - Transported from Adelaide (Islington) to Melbourne

  • 07/12/2004 - Shipped from Melbourne to Burnie aboard the ship "Tasmanian Achiever"

  • 10/12/2004 - Transported to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 02/2005 - renumbered PNT No. 2137 & repainted in PNT blue / yellow livery

  • 17/03/2005 - Testing at East Tamar

  • 20/05/2005 - Trial runs to Bell Bay

  • 10/2005 - 11/2005 - Continued testing at East Tamar and trial running

  • 02/11/2005 - First run in multiple with 2134 & 2138

  • 01/2006 - Entered general service

  • 04/2010 - Fitted with ZTR traction control

  • 07/2011 - Painted with the new Tasrail logo (replacing deleted PN logo)

  • 13/02/2012 > 13/4/2012 - Out of service at ETJ (replacement of engine (replacement 12CSVT ex EWS Class 37 (U.K.)

  • 23/06/2014 - Withdrawn and stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston

MKA 8 / 2138

  • Early 1995 - Early 2003 - Rebuild suspended and stored incomplete at M.K.Co. Whyalla, South Australia

  • 03/2003 - Transported (by road) to Islington, Adelaide

  • Mid 2004 - Rebuild to MKA8 completed by Rail Technical Services Inc. (ref ZC31 (ex Q.R. No. 1330)

  • 26/11/2004 - Transported from Adelaide (Islington) to Melbourne

  • 07/12/2004 - Shipped from Melbourne to Burnie aboard the ship "Tasmanian Achiever"

  • 10/12/2004 - Transported to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 02/2005 - renumbered PNT No. 2138 & repainted in PNT blue / yellow livery

  • 20/05/2005 - Trial runs to Bell Bay

  • 10/2005 - 11/2005 - Continued testing at East Tamar and trial running

  • 02/11/2005 - First run in multiple with 2134 & 2137

  • 01/2006 - Entered general service

  • 02/2010 - Fitted with ZTR traction control

  • 01/2011 - Fitted with walkway handrails

  • 07/2011 - Painted with the new Tasrail logo (replacing deleted PN logo)

  • 11/04/2012 - 14/6/2012 - Out of service at ETJ (replacement of engine (replacement 12CSVT ex EWS Class 37 (U.K.)

  • 15/07/2014 - Withdrawn and stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston

With thanks to Stephen Zvillis, Stuart Rutherford and Nevin Shakespeare.