The history of each ZB locomotive that operated in Tasmania can be seen in the table below.

UNIT NO. / NAME

DATE / EVENT

2350 / ZB1 / 2120

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 16/04/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR) as No. 2350 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 27/08/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,147,172) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 28/08/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 01/09/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 23/09/1987 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB1 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 08/1989 - 01/1990 - Stored out of service at Invermay Workshops, Launceston

  • 08/1990 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 10/10/1994 - 15/03/1995 - Stored out of service at Invermay Workshops, Launceston (awaiting engine change)

  • 12/1996 - Repainted in AN yellow / green livery

  • 08/1998 - Renumbered to Australain Transport Network (ATN) No. 2120

  • 04/2000 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (wheel faults)

  • 18/03/2003 - Shipped to Western Australia

  • 01/04/2003 - Arrived at the Midland Workshops, Western Australia

  • 16/03/2006 - First trial with South Spur Rail Services along with ex Western Australian Government Railway (WAGR) loco F40

  • 15/05/2008 - Repainted into Coote Industrial (Greentrains) green / yellow livery

  • 11/06/2012 - 01/2013 - Hired to CBH / Watco Rail, Western Australia

  • 25/03/2013 - Last time noted in service at Narngulu, Western Australia

  • 03/2013 - Stored out of service at Gemco yard, Bellevue, Western Australia

  • 20/05/2016 - 27/05/2016 - Cut up for scrap in Bellevue yard, Western Australia

2351 / ZB2 / 2121 

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 30/04/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail as No. 2351 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 26/08/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,111,280) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 15/01/1988 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 22/01/1988 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 04/05/1988 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB2 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 09/1990 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 02/1993 - 08/1993 - Stored out of service at Invermay Workshops, Launceston (awaiting overhaul)

  • 01/1997 - Repainted in AN yellow / green livery

  • 08/1998 - Renumbered to Australain Transport Network (ATN) No. 2121

  • 28/06/2010 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (engine faults)

2352 / ZB3 / 2122

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 04/05/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR) as No. 2352 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 03/08/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,049,549) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 30/09/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 10/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 16/10/1987 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB3 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 10/1989 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 11/1991 - 09/1992 - Stored out of service at Invermay Workshops, Launceston (starter motor faults)

  • 01/1993 - 01/08/1995 - Stored out of service at Invermay Workshop, Launceston (awaiting overhaul)

  • 08/08/1995 - 25/03/1996 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (broken crankshaft)

  • 12/1996 - Repainted in AN yellow / green livery

  • 08/1998 - Renumbered to Renumbered to Australain Transport Network (ATN) No. 2122.  Dual driving stations re-instated (for single unit operation)

  • 05/2006 - 21/02/2007 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (fire)

  • 10/2013 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (smoking engine)
    Donated to Launceston & North East Railway (LNER), awaiting transfer to LNER

  • 12/2021 - Swapped for 2123, now back under TasRail ownership

2353 / ZB4

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 25/05/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR) as No. 2353 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 19/08/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,074,134) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 30/09/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 10/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 26/10/1987 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB4 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 01/1990 - 26/08/1991 - Stored out of service at Invermay Workshops, Launceston  (wheel faults)

  • 08/1991 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery (upon return to service)

  • 04/1995 - Stored out of service at Launceston, then East Tamar Jctn (poor condition / spare parts source). Slated for ZR conversion

  • 04/07/2011 - Written off & sold to One Steel, Bell Bay

  • 10/2011 - Scrapped

2354 / ZB5 / 2123

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 29/06/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR)  as No. 2354 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 17/08/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,074,799) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 29/10/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 09/11/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 01/12/1987 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB5 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 09/1990 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 02/1997 - Repainted in AN yellow / green livery

  • 10/09/1997 - 23/07/1998 - Stored out of service in Launceston (awaiting overhaul)

  • 07/1998 - Renumbered to ATN No. 2123. Dual driving stations re-instated, windows modified (for single unit operation)

  • 05/03/1999 - 07/09/1999 - Stored out of service in Launceston (awaiting overhaul)

  • 14/05/2014 - Final run under power - Boyer to Brighton Hub Yard

  • 14/05/2014 - Final run under power - Boyer to Brighton Hub Yard

  • 15/05/2014 - Towed to East Tamar Junction Workshops

  • 16/05/2014 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (surplus)

  • 12/2021 - Swapped with 2122 by Launceston & North East Railway (LNER), awaiting transfer to LNER

  • 5/2022 - Transport by road to Lilydale

2355 / ZB6 / ZR2 / 2101

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 05/09/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR)  as No. 2355 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 03/09/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,115,217) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 14/01/1988 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 22/01/1988 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 17/05/1988 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB6 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 10/1988 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 10/05/1991 - 17/12/1991 -  Stored out of service in Launceston (awaiting collision repairs, collided with ZA4

  • 03/1992 -  Stored out of service in Launceston (faulty starter motor)

  • 05/1993 - Moved to secure storage at Longford

  • 11/1993 - Moved to secure storage at Western Junction

  • 07/1995 -  Moved to storage at East Tamar, Launceston 

  • 12/03/1996 - Stripped for rebuild to ZR2

  • 07/1997 - Rebuild to ZR2 complete (see ZR2)

2356 / ZB7

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 19/09/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR) as No. 2356 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 21/07/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,072,983) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 22/07/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 29/07/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay  (ship unknown)

  • 07/08/1987 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB7 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 10/1989 - 06/1990 - Stored out of service in Launceston (faulty wheels)

  • 06/1990 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 11/1990 - Stored out of service in Launceston (faulty engine)

  • 05/1993 - Moved to secure storage at Longford

  • 11/1993 - Moved to secure storage at Western Junction

  • 12/1996 -  Moved to storage at East Tamar. Launceston (parts supply)

  • 06/1998 - Written off and scrapped at East Tamar, Launceston

2357 / ZB8 / 2124

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 11/07/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR)  as No. 2357 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973- 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 03/09/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,103,955) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 14/01/1988 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 22/01/1988 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 11/03/1988 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white, renumbered to ZB8 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 10/1988 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 19/12/1994 - 12/1995 -  Stored out of service in Launceston (faulty engine)

  • 20/03/1996 - 20/05/1996 -  Stored out of service in Launceston (fire)

  • 12/1996 - Repainted in AN yellow / green livery

  • 08/1998 - Renumbered to ATN No. 2124

  • 08/1999 -   Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (poor condition)

  • 08/1999 -   Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (poor condition)

  • 09/2002 - Written off &  Sold to South Spur Rail Services, Western Australia

  • 03/2004 - Stripped for parts at East Tamar, Launceston and spare parts shipped to Western Australia

  • 23/04/2004 - Gutted shell scrapped at East Tamar, Launceston

2358 / ZB9 / ZR1 / ZP1 / 2100

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 30/10/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR)  as No. 2358 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 01/09/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,137,877) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 15/02/1988 - Roaded ex Brisbane to Sydney

  • 02/03/1988 - Arrived Hobart aboard ship "Seaway Hobart"

  • 20/06/1988 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB9 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 06/1988 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 11/04/1991 -  Stored out of service in Launceston (faulty wheels)

  • 04/03/1994 - Caught fire whilst working Train # 5115 (with ZB8 & ZB1) at Parattah 

  • 04/1994 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (fire)

  • 27/09/1994 - Shipped from Tasmania to South Australia for prototype 'ZR' class rebuild

  • 10/1994 - Arrived Port Augusta (ship unknown)

  • 11/4/1996 -  Rebuild to ZR1 complete (see ZR1 / ZP1) - Shipped back to Tasmania

2359 / ZB10 / 2125

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 14/11/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR)  as No. 2359 painted QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 24/05/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,034,958) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 25/05/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 30/05/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 12/06/1987 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB10 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 10/1989 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 06/1997 - Repainted in AN yellow / green livery

  • 08/1998 - Renumbered to ATN No. 2125

  • 03/2001 -  Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (poor condition)

  • 09/2002 - Written off &  Sold to South Spur Rail Services, Western Australia

  • 04/02/2003 - Shipped to Western Australia

  • ??/02/2003 - Arrived in Fremantle (ship unknown)

  • 20/03/2003 - Arrived Midland Workshops, Western Australia

  • 05/02/2005 - Entered service with South Spur Rail Services (SSRS)

  • 28/08/2004 - Repainted in SSRS white & two-tone blue livery

  • 11/03/2006 - Lifted onto completed section of under construction Mandurah Line to start ballasting duties

  • 05/2008 - Repainted in Coote Industrial (Greentrains) green / yellow livery

  • 15/05/2012 - 01/2013 - Hired to CBH /Watco Rail, Western Australia

  • 13/09/2012 - Last noted job seen towing CBH013

  • 08/11/2012 - Light engine back to Bellevue, Western Australia - end of lease to CBH

  • 11/2012 - Stored out of service at Gemco yard, Bellevue, Western Australia

  • 20/05 - 27/05/2016 - Cut up for scrap in Bellevue yard, Western Australia

2360 / ZB11

  • Early 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 03/12/1973 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR)  as No. 2360 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 -1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 28/04/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,020,803) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 29/04/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 05/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 06/06/1987 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB11 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 12/1989 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 22/06/1993 - Derailed & rolled over at Nabowla (N.E. Line) whilst trailling ZB10 on Train # 3478

  • 06/1993 - 08/1993 - Written off. Left overturned at Nabowla due difficult access

  • 14/08/1993 - Stripped of major components (engine, bogies, etc.). Shell eventually scrapped on site sometime after 04/1996

2361 / ZB12 / 2126

  • Late 1973 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 19/02/1974 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR) as No. 2361 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1973 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 23/06/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,080,118) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 24/06/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 30/06/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 07/07/1987 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB12 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 07/1987 - Retained sun-hood extension across nose from cab roof. Only ZB so fitted

  • 08/1989 - 10/1990 - Stored out of service in Invermay Workshops, Launceston (various faults)

  • 05/1992 - First ZB to be painted in the new AN yellow / green ("Reverse livery"). Sun-hood also removed

  • 11/1998 - Renumbered to ATN No. 2126

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

  • 11/2010 - Written off & stripped for parts

  • 04/07/2011 - Sold to One Steel, Bell Bay for scrap

  • 10/2011 - Scrapped

2370 / ZB13 / 2127

  • Early 1975 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 26/03/1975 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR)  as No. 2370 painted QR blue / white livery

  • 1975 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 01/09/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,092,306) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 31/12/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 13/01/1988 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 09/02/1988 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery livery, renumbered to ZB13 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 09/1990 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 05/1992 - 24/03/1993 -  Stored out of service at Invermay Workshops, Launceston (engine faults)

  • 12/1996 - Repainted in AN yellow / green livery

  • 08/1998 - Renumbered to ATN No. 2127

  • 4/2000 - 8/2000 -  Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (wheel faults) 

  • 06/12/2002 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (engine failure) 

  • 04/07/2011 - Written off & sold to One Steel, Bell Bay

  • 12/2011 - Scrapped

2371 / ZB14 / 2128

  • Early 1975 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 28/05/1975 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR)  as No. 2371 painted QR blue / white livery

  • 1975 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 30/03/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,004,405) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 02/04/1987 - Shipped ex Brisbane, Queensland

  • 08/04/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay aboard the ship "Bass Trader"

  • 16/04/1987 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white livery, renumbered to ZB14 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 21/04/1987 - First 'ZB' class in traffic on Trains 80 & 81 to Fingal & return

  • 11/1988 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 12/1997 - Repainted in AN yellow / green livery

  • 08/1998 - Renumbered to ATN No. 2128

  • 12/2006 - 18/12/2007 -  Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (awaiting service)

  • 10/2013 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston (wheel faults) 

  • 6/2023 - Transported to Don River Railway

  • 29/6/2023 - First started since being in 2013

2372 / ZB15 / 2129

  • Mid 1975 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 23/10/1975 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR)  as No. 2372 painted QR blue / white livery

  • 1975 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 01/09/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 1,007,915) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 15/02/1988- Roaded ex Brisbane to Sydney

  • 16/03/1988 - Arrived Hobart aboard the ship "Seaway Hobart"

  • 15/07/1988 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white, renumbered to ZB15 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 10/1988 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery 

  • 05/1989 - 09/1990 -  Stored out of service at Invermay Workshops, Launceston

  • 09/1991 - 07/1992 -  Stored out of service at Invermay Workshops, Launceston

  • 01/1997 - Repainted in AN yellow / green livery

  • 08/1998 - Renumbered to ATN No. 2129

  • 03/2001 - Stored out of service at East Tamar, Launceston

  • 09/2002 - Sold to South Spur Rail Services, Western Australia

  • 13/01/2003 - Shipped out of Burnie to Western Australia

  • ??/01/2003 - Arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia

  • 22/01/2003 - Arrived at Midland Workshops from Fremantle

  • 21/06/2003 - Restored to service.  Operated a ballast service

  • 17/07/2004 - Repainted in South Spur Rail Services white & two-tone blue livery

  • 22/04/2006 - Transferred to the Mandurah Line for construction duties

  • 05/2008 - Repainted to Coote Industrial (Greentrains) green / yellow livery

  • 05/2008 - Repainted to Coote Industrial (Greentrains) green / yellow livery

  • 05/2008 - Repainted to Coote Industrial (Greentrains) green / yellow livery

  • 10/08/2010 - 15/08/2010 - Final operation - ballast working out of Geraldton, Western Australia

  • 10/08/2010 - 15/08/2010 - Final operation - ballast working out of Geraldton, Western Australia

  • 04/10/2013 - Stored out of service at Gemco yard, Bellevue, Western Australia - no bogies

  • 20/05/2016 - 27/05/2016 - Cut up for scrap in Bellevue yard, Western Australia

2373 / ZB16

  • Mid 1975 - Built by English Electric (Australia), Rocklea Works, Brisbane, Queensland. Fitted with an EE 12CSVT Mk.III engine

  • 23/12/1975 - Entered service with Queensland Rail (QR) as No. 2373 painted in QR blue / white livery

  • 1975 - 1987 - In service with QR on the Moura and Blackwater coal lines and general usage

  • 31/07/1987 - Withdrawn from service by QR (closing kms = 987,802) & sold to AN Tasrail

  • 26/11/1987 - Shipped ex Newstead Wharf, Brisbane, Queensland

  • 17/12/1987 - Arrived Bell Bay (ship unknown)

  • 22/06/1988 - Entered service, still in QR blue / white, renumbered to ZB16 (buffers & destination rolls removed)

  • 03/1988 - Repainted in AN green / yellow livery

  • 12/1988 - Shunting accident at Boyer (Derwent Valley Line) - wrecked cab

  • Early 1989 -  Stored out of service in Invermay Workshops, Launceston (accident damage)

  • 1989 - 1992 - Stripped for parts

  • 11/1992 - Written off & sold to Simsmetals

  • 03/1993 - Scrapped in Launceston

 

ZB locomotiveZB12

 

With thanks to Stephen Zvillis

Photos by Nevin Shakespeare