Queensland Railways 1620 class

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Queensland Railways 1620 class
Dia 0213.jpg
1634 at Wowan in August 1987
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
Builder English Electric, Rocklea
Build date1967-1969
Total produced34
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 •  UIC Co-Co
Gauge 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Length13.84 m (45 ft 5 in)
Loco weight63 t (62 long tons; 69 short tons)
Fuel type Diesel
Prime mover English Electric 6CSRKT mark 2
Engine typefour stroke, four valves per cylinder
Aspirationturbo, intercooled
Generator English Electric 827
Traction motors English Electric 540
Cylinders 6
Cylinder size 10in by 12in
MU working 110V, stepless electro-pneumatic throttle
Loco brake straight air
Train brakes air
Performance figures
Maximum speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Power output755 kW (1,012 hp) gross
Career
Operators Queensland Railways
Number in class34
Numbers1620-1653
First run1967
Preserved1620, 1632, 1639. 1649, 1650, 1651
Disposition6 preserved, 10 exported, 18 scrapped

The 1620 class was a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for Queensland Railways between 1967 and 1969.

Contents

The 1620 class locomotives are similar to the New Zealand Railways DI class, also built at the Rocklea works.

History

The 1620 class was an evolution of the 1600 class being fitted with a hood nose. They operated in Central and North Queensland as well as hauling commuter trains in Brisbane. [1] [2] [3] The class was withdrawn in the mid 1990s with some sold to John Holland and exported to Malaysia and The Philippines. [4] [5]

Malaysia: 1647 was seen at Lafarge cement works at Padang Jawa, near Kuala Lumpur mid-Jan-2026. The loco is stored undercover alongside the Port Klang to KL mainline, but appears to be out of service. Co-located at the same time was English Electric (‘Stephenson') Vulcan Works - No D926 0-6-0DH shunter, operational status unknown.

Another 1620 class loco (apparently 1644) and still operational with DMIA (Dhaya Maju Infrastructure) as DMIA8007, pending spares as of mid-Jan-2026. Located at Serendah, near Kuala Lumpur alongside the KL to Ipoh mainline.

Six have been preserved: [2]

Status table of preserved locomotives

NumberIn serviceWithdrawnOwnerLocationNotes
162001/19671991QR Heritage Ipswich Workshops Stored pending complete rewiring of electrical systems. Unlikely to be operational for the foreseeable future.
163207/19671991Mary Valley Rattler Gympie Operational. Used as a replacement when a steam locomotive is not available.
163910/19671991Mary Valley Rattler Gympie Stored in Gympie Yard as a source for spare parts.
164902/19691991Mary Valley Rattler Gympie Stored in Gympie Yard as a source for spare parts.
165003/19691991QR Heritage Ipswich Workshops Donated to QR Heritage by ARHS(QLD). Stored in good condition awaiting completion of a restoration initiated by the previous custodian.
165103/19691991QR Heritage Ipswich Workshops Donated to QR Heritage by ARHS(QLD). Used as a source for spare parts.

References

  1. ↑ Oberg, Leon (1984). Locomotives of Australia 1850s-1980s. Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 240. ISBN   0-730100-05-7.
  2. 1 2 1600, 1620 Class Queensland's Great Trains
  3. ↑ English Electric 1620 Class Queensland's Railway Interest Group
  4. ↑ "QR Clydes to NZ, 'Poms' to Philippines [sic]" Railway Digest October 1995 page 15
  5. ↑ The John Holland 1620s! Philippine Railway Historical Society
1648 and a 1720 class at Caboolture in 1989 QR loco 1648 and a 1720 class loco haul a northbound goods train at Caboolture, ~1989.jpg
1648 and a 1720 class at Caboolture in 1989
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