Queensland Railways 2100 class

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Queensland Railways 2100 class

The 2100 class is a group of 24 diesel-electric locomotives built by Clyde Engineering in Brisbane for Queensland Railways between 1970 and 1973. They are Co-Co type locomotives designed to haul coal trains on Queensland’s Goonyella line. When ready for service, they weighed 97.5 tonnes, which was heavier than QR’s earlier locomotives. To keep weight within limits on existing tracks, the 7,273-litre fuel tank was built with a compartment that could be blocked off to reduce weight as needed.

How they started: The first ten units were funded by the developers of the Goonyella Riverside Mine, with QR buying two more. A further twelve were built for the Peak Downs Mine. The 2100s began hauling Brisbane-area freight and suburban passenger services before the Goonyella line opened.

Capricornian service: In the late 1980s, several 2100s hauled the Capriconian passenger train. Units such as 2112–2117 appeared on these duties, and 2117 hauled the final diesel Capricornian service on 30 June 1989.

Later history and fate: In the early 2000s many 2100s were withdrawn. Ten were sold to Bolivia in 2001, and one unit (2177) was sold to South Africa in 2013. Five units were transferred to Australian Railroad Group in Western Australia after being overhauled in Port Pirie.

Current status: By the 2020s most of the 2100s had left QR or were exported. A few remained in Australia with Aurizon as part of the 2300 class, while others were kept in storage or scrapped, and many were exported to other countries.