The history of the DQ class locomotives that have operated in Tasmania can be seen in the table below.

UNIT NO. / NAME

DATE / EVENT

1521 / DQ1521 / DQ6007 / 2001

  • Early 1968 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea QlLD (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, QLD) and equipped with an EMD 12-645E engine

  • 01/07/1968 - Entered service with Queensland Railways (QR) as No. 1521 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1968 - 1995 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 and 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 16/07/1978 - Derailed and rolled down an embankment on the Blackall (Eumundi) Range, whilst on Train # 242 up express freight

  • 07/06/1979 - Derailment repairs completed and returned to service

  • 02/09/1995 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops

  • 14/09/1995 - Withdrawn from service & sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand 

  • 08/09/1995 - Loaded for shipment from Doomben, QLD to New Zealand

  • ??/09/1995 - Arrived in New Zealand (ship unknown)

  • ??/09/1995 -  Transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild

  • ??/10/1996 - Entered service with Tranzrail as DQ1521 5 

  • 1996 - Renumbered to No. DQ6007

  • 1998 - Sold to ATN Tasrail

  • 28/08/1998 - Shipped from Wellington to Tasmania

  • 02/09/1998 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Polar Bird" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 11/10/1998 - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in red / yellow "Coke Can" livery as No. 2001

  • 12/2001 - 05/2002 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 11/2002 - 03/04/2003 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 22/08/2003 - 18/11/2003 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 02/2005 - 07/2005 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 04/06/2006 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (engine failure)

  • 29/08/2006 - Towed to Burnie for shipment to Melbourne (for rebuild / overhaul)

  • 03/11/2006 - Arrived in Melbourne (ship unknown)

  • 11/2006 - 12/2006 - Stripped at Dynon for proposed major rebuild / refurbishment

  • 01/2007 - 12/2009 - Stored at Dynon after rebuild cancelled

  • 01/2010 - Reassembled at Dynon for return to Tasmania

  • 18/01/2010 - Returned to Tasmania 

  • 05/07/2010 - Returned to service

  • 25/08/2010 - 02/09/2010 - Repainted into the T.R.Co. (TasRail) yellow / grey livery

  • 2021 - In regular service

1522 / DQ6013 / 2002

  • Mid 1968 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea, QLD. (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, QLD) and equipped with an EMD 12-645E engine

  • 18/11/1968 - Entered service with QR as No. 1522 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1968 - 1995 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 and 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 12/02/1996 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops, QLD

  • 05/1997 - Withdrawn from QR service & sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 20/05/1997 - Loaded for shipment from Murrarie, QLD to New Zealand

  • 27/05/1997 - Arrived Auckland aboard the ship "Aratika"

  • ??/??/1997 - Hauled to Wellington and transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild

  • ??/08/1998 - Entered service with Tranzrail as DQ6013

  • ??/1998 - Sold to ATN Tasrail

  • 28/08/1998 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 02/09/1998 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Polar Bird" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 11/10/1998 - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in ATN  red / yellow "Coke Can" livery as No.2002

  • 21/2/2002 - 28/10/2002 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 22/08/2003 - 07/01/2004 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 01/2005 - 11/04/2005 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 04/05/2005 - 03/11/2005 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 16/05/2011 - Repainted into the T.R.Co. (Tasrail) yellow / grey livery

  • In regular service

1508 / DQ6030 / 2003

  • Mid 1967 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea, QLD (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, QLD) and equipped with an EMD 12-645E engine

  • 29/12/1967 - Entered service with QR as No. 1508 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1967 - 1996 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 & 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 07/05/1996 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops, QLD

  • 06/1997 - Withdrawn from service & sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand 

  • 16/06/1997 - Loaded for shipment from Doomben, QLD to New Zealand

  • ??/06/1997 - Arrived in Auckland (ship unknown)

  • ??/06?/1997 - Hauled to Wellington?? and transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild

  • ??/5/1996 - Entered service with Tranzrail as DQ6030

  • ??/1998 - Sold to ATN Tasrail

  • 08/12/1998 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 15/12/1998 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Arktis Dream" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 19/01/1999 - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in ATN maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as No. 2003

  • 31/07/2005 - December 2005 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 11/9/2014 - Withdrawn and stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (surplus & poor mechanical condition) 

1502 / QR3032 / 2004

  • Mid 1967 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea, QLD (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, QLD) and equipped with an EMD 12-645E engine

  • 11/10/1967 - Entered service with QR as No. 1502 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1967 - 1996 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 - 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 05/03/1996 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops, QLD

  • 05/1997 - Withdrawn from service & sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 19/05/1997 - Loaded for shipment from Murrarie, QLD to New Zealand

  • 27/05/1997 - Arrived Auckland aboard the ship "Aratika"

  • ??/1997 - Hauled to Wellington and transferred to Hutt Workshops. Not rebuilt. Converted to a "QR" slave unit

  • ??/08/1998 - Entered service with Tranzrail as QR303 32 (Only ex 1502 class 645E powered slave)

  • ??/1998 - Sold to ATN Tasrail. Returned to Hutt Workshops for 'DQ' rebuild

  • 08/12/1998 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 15/12/1998 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Arktis Dream" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 19/01/1999 - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as No. 2004

  • 06/10/2003 - 09/09/2004 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (engine failure)

  • 13/11/2006 - 29/7/2007 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 09/2008 -11/2008 - Stored out of service at East Tamar (generator failure) 

  • 10/04/2012 - 15/06/2012 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (overhaul)

  • Mid Dec 2014 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston 

1468/DQ6330/2005

  • Mid 1964 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea Qld. (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, Qld) and equipped with an EMD 12-567C engine

  • 21/09/1964 - Entered service with QR as No. 1468 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1964 - 1989 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Betweeen 1973 & 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 04/08/1989 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops, QLD

  • 18/06/1990 - Withdrawn from service

  • 26/06/1990 - Written off  (closing km. 3,020,351)

  • 08/1995 - Sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 08/09/1995 - Loaded for shipment from Doomben, QLD to New Zealand

  • ??/9/1995 - Arrived in New Zealand (ship unknown)

  • ??/?/1995 - Transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild (with 645E engine)

  • ??/01/1998 - Entered service with Tranzrail as DQ6330

  • ??/1998 - Sold to ATN Tasrail

  • 08/12/1998 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Bell Bay

  • 15/12/1998 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Arktis Dream" and towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • ??/02/1999 - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as No. 2005

  • 18/08/2006 - 12/2006 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 03/2007 - 23/11/2007 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 20/08/2014 - Withdrawn and stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (surplus & poor mechanical condition)  

1465/DQ6416/2006

  • Early 1964 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea, QLD (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, QLD) and equipped with an EMD 12-567C engine

  • 27/07/1964 - Entered service with QR as No. 1465 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1964 - 1997 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 & 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 20/02/1997 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops, Queensland

  • 05/1997 - Withdrawn from service & sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 19/05/1997 - Loaded for shipment from Murrarie, QLD to New Zealand

  • 27/05/1997 - Arrived in Auckland aboard the ship "Aratika"

  • ??/5?/1997 - Hauled to Wellington and transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild (inc. replacement 645E engine)

  • ??/02/1999 - Entered service with Tranzrail as DQ6416

  • 02/1999 - Sold to ATN Tasrail

  • 02/1999 - Shipped from Wellington , New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 03/03/1999 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Edisongracht" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 06/04/1999 - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as No. 2006

  • 13/05/2004 - 28/06/2004 - Stored out of service at East Tamar (generator failure)

  • 07/2005 - 02/2006 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 08/2011 - 14/11/2011 - Stored out of service at East Tamar,  Launceston (overhaul)   

  • 01/11/2011 - Repainted into T.R.Co. (Tasrail) yellow / grey livery

  • 09/2011 - Fitted with air-conditioning

  • 2021 - In regular service

1485/DQ63992007/DV2

  • Mid 1965 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea, QLD (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, QLD) equipped with an EMD 12-567C

  • 22/11/1965 - Entered service with QR as No. 1485 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1965 - 1989 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 & 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 09/11/1989 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops, QLD

  • 18/06/1990 - Withdrawn from service

  • 26/06/1990 - Written off  (closing km. 3,087,227)

  • 08/1995 - Sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 08/09/1995 - Loaded for shipment from Doomben, QLD to New Zealand

  • ??/09/1995 - Arrived Auckland?? (ship unknown)

  • ??/09?/1995 - Transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild (inc. replacement 645E engine)

  • ??/2/1999 - Entered service with Tranzrail as DQ6399

  • 02/1999 - Sold to ATN Tasrail

  • ??/02/1999 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 03/03/1999 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Edisongracht" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 19/03/1999 - Entered service with Tasrail in ATN maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as ATN No. 2007

  • 02/07/2003  - 01/10/2003 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 16/10/2005 - Only 'DQ' to  travel past Boyer. Light from Boyer to New Norfolk for crane access to replace a damaged bogie

  • 03/2006 - 12/2006 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure) 

  • 20/10/2010 - 01/2011 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (fire damage)

  • 01/2011 - Fitted with air-conditioning

  • 23/06/2014 - Withdrawn and stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (surplus & poor mechanical condition)   

  • Intermittently during 2016 - 2018 - Loco stripped for rebuild into driving van DV2

  • 20/06/2018 - DV2 test run with DQ 2008

  • 2021 - In regular service as a "Drivng Van"

1472/DQ6353/2008

  • Mid 1964 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea QLD (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, Qld) equipped with an EMD 12-567C engine

  • 09/11/1964 - Entered service with QR as No. 1472 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1964 - 1989 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 & 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 27/09/1989 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops, QLD

  • 18/06/1990 - Withdrawn from service

  • 26/06/1990 - Written off  (closing km. 3,094,654)

  • 08/1995 - Sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 08/09/1995 - Loaded for shipment from Doomben, QLD to New Zealand

  • ??/9/1995 - Arrived in Auckland? (ship unknown)

  • 09/1995? - Transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild (inc. replacement 645E engine)

  • 04/1998 - Entered service with Tranzrail as DQ6353

  • 02/1999 - Sold to ATN Tasrail

  • 02/1999 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 03/03/1999 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Edisongracht" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 29/03/1999 - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as No. 2008

  • 03/2006 - 17/10/2006 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (electrical faults)

  • 27/9/2011 - 15/2/2012 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (overhaul)

  • 06/02/2012 - Repainted into T.R.Co. (Tasrail) yellow / grey livery & fitted with air-conditioning

  • 11/2013 - 07/03/2014 - Stored out of service at East Tamar (generator failure)

  • 01/02/2015 - Stored servicable

  • 2021 - In regular service

1491/2009

  • Late 1965 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea, QLD. (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, QLD) equipped with an EMD 12-567C engine
    07/02/1966 - Entered service with QR as No. 1491 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1966 - 1997 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 & 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 28/01/1997 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops

  • 05/1997 - Withdrawn from service  & sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 21/05/1997 - Loaded for shipment from Murrarie, QLD to New Zealand

  • 27/05/1997 - Arrived Auckland aboard the ship "Aratika"

  • 05/1995? - Transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild (inc. replacement 645E engine) List Item

  • 02/1999 - Sold to ATN Tasrail (prior to commencement of rebuild) 

  • 05/1999 - Rebuild to ' DQ' completed 

  • 28/09/1999 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 04/10/1999 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Melanesian Chief" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 10/1999? - Entered service with ATN Tasrail maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as No. 2009

  • 22/05/2003 - 08/2003 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 19/07/2004 - end 09/2004 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 01/2005 - 05/2005 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 20/04/2006 - 12/2006 - Stored out of service at East Tamar (generator failure)  

  • 11/2010 - Fitted with walkway handrails

  • 13/02/2012 - 24/04/2012 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (overhaul)

  • 11/2013 - Stored out of service at East Tamar (generator failure)

  • 11/2013 - Stored out of service at East Tamar (generator failure)

  • 25/12/2014 - Returned to service with generator from withdrawn No. 2003

  • 2021 - In regular service

1466/QR2033/2010

  • Early 1964 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea, QLD (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, QLD) equipped with an EMD 12-567C engine

  • 10/08/1964 - Entered service with QR as No. 1466 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1964 - 1997 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 & 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 12/02/1997 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops, QLD

  • 05/1997 - Withdrawn from service & sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 19/05/1997 - Loaded for shipment from Murrarie, QLD to New Zealand

  • 27/05/1997 - Arrived Auckland aboard the ship "Aratika"

  • 05/1997? - Transferred to Hutt Workshops and converted to a "QR" slave unit

  • 02/1999 - Entered service with Tranzrail as QR2033  

  • 02/1999? - Sold to ATN Tasrail. Returned to Hutt Workshops for 'DQ' rebuild

  • 05/1999 - Rebuild to ' DQ' completed 

  • 28/09/1999 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 04/10/1999 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Melanesian Chief" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston

  • 10/1999 - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as No. 2010

  • 01/06/2010 - 07/09/2010 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 01/2011 - 07/2011 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (overhaul)

  • 08/08/2011 - Repainted into T.R.Co. (Tasrail) yellow / grey livery

  • 09/2011 - Fitted with air-conditioning

  • 2021 - In regular service

1495/2011

  • Early 1966 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea, QLD (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, Qld) equipped with an EMD 12-567C engine

  • 04/04/1966 - Entered service with QR as No. 1495 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1966 - 1997 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 & 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 28/01/1997 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops

  • 05/1997 - Withdrawn from service  & sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 21/05/1997 - Loaded for shipment from Murrarie, QLD to New Zealand

  • 27/05/1997 - Arrived Auckland aboard the ship "Aratika"

  • 05/1997? - Transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild (inc. replacement 645E engine)

  • 02/1999 - Sold to ATN Tasrail (prior to commencement of rebuild) 

  • 05/1999 - Rebuild to ' DQ' completed

  • 28/09/1999 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 04/10/1999 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Melanesian Chief" & hauled to East Tamar, Launceston 

  • 10/1999? - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as No. 2011

  • 13/08/2005 - 04/2006 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 04/06/2010 - 09/08/2010 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 2020 - 2021 - Noted with a Generator failure, used as a "Driving van"

  • 12/2021 - Returned to service with repaired Generator

1497/2012

  • Early 1966 - Built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea, QLD (on behalf of Clyde Engineering, Eagle Farm, Qld) equipped with an EMD 12-567C engine

  • 23/05/1966 - Entered service with QR as No. 1497 in QR blue / white livery

  • 1966 - 1997 - General statewide "pool" service, initially based at Mayne (Brisbane)

  • Between 1973 & 1976 - Fitted with auto couplers

  • 12/02/1996 - Stored out of service at Redbank Workshops, QLD

  • 05/1997 - Withdrawn from service  & sold to Tranzrail, New Zealand

  • 20/05/1997 - Loaded for shipment from Murrarie, QLD to New Zealand

  • 27/05/1997 - Arrived Auckland aboard the ship "Aratika"

  • 05/1997 - Transferred to Hutt Workshops for "DQ" rebuild (inc. replacement 645E engine)

  • 02/1999 - Sold to ATN Tasrail (prior to commencement of rebuild) 

  • 05/1999 - Rebuild to ' DQ' completed 

  • 28/09/1999 - Shipped from Wellington, New Zealand to Tasmania

  • 04/10/1999 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Melanesian Chief" & towed to East Tamar, Launceston 

  • 10/1999? - Entered service with ATN Tasrail in maroon / yellow "Wisconsin" livery as No. 2012

  • 01/2005 - 03/2005 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 04/2006 - 11/2006 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 11/2010 - Fitted with running board handrails

  • 20/01/2011 - Repainted into T.R.Co. (Tasrail) yellow / grey livery

  • 07/2013 - 09/2013 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (generator failure)

  • 2021 - In regular service

 

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