G Class

G542 (Mark Grace)

G534 (Justin)

Locomotive numbers: G511-543

Model Number: JT26C-2SS (original); JT36C-2SS (rebuilds)

 
 

Type Diesel-Electric
Introduced 1984
Number in class 33
Manufacturer Clyde Engineering, Rosewater (G511-525)
Clyde Enginerring, Somerton (G526-543)
Gauge Broad, Standard 
Axles Co-Co 
Length 19.82 m
Mass 128 t
Engine EMD 16-645E3B (except rebuilds; see below) 
EMD 16-645F3B (rebuilds)
Generator EMD AR16A-D18 (G511-515)
EMD AR11 (G516-543)
Traction motors EMD D77 (G511-525)
EMD D87 (G526-543)
Power 2460 kW / 3300 HP (except rebuilds; see below) 
2830 kW / 3800 HP (rebuilds)
Tractive effort 337 / 311 kN
Speed 114  / 18 km/h

The G class are the second-most recent locomotives in Victoria, and can be found on most freight services, including intercapital freights, and are regularly used for grain haulage. As well, they have been used for some Melbourne-Sydney passenger work. Some have spent time at DELEC or Dry Creek, and ventured as far away as Brisbane. Some have been leased to NR for a while.
The class can be divided into 4 subgroups, each with minor differences.
These are: Mk1 - G511-515; Mk2 - G516-525; Mk3 - G526-536; Mk4 - G537-543.

The G's currently on standard gauge are: G519-520, 522-523, 526, 528-532, 536-543. Many of these are used on the SCT and Toll-TNT trains. The G class operate to Perth on SCT trains, using "in-train" refuelling.
Those locos in NSW are used for hauling log and grain traffic. Recent collisions have reduced the number in service. Partly as a result of this, G523, 526, 529, 530, 531, 536, 541, and 543 have been rebuilt with more powerful engines.

QR National
Two have been sold to QR National for Melbourne-Brisbane freight use.

Named locomotives:
 
 

G540 Wycheproof
G541 Birchip
G542 Warracknabeal

The three named towns are towns in the Wimmera-Mallee wheat growing area, where the Gs are regularly used to haul "wheaties".
 
 

Loco Serial # In Service Comments
G511 84-1239 11/1984
G512 84-1240 12/1984
G513 85-1241 12/1984
G514 85-1242 1/1985
G515 85-1243 1/1985
G516 85-1229 12/1985 Sold to QR National; in service 11-2004
G517 85-1230 3/1986 Scrapped
G518 85-1231 2/1986 Scrapped
G519 85-1232 12/1985
G520 85-1233 3/1986
G521 85-1234 2/1986
G522 86-1235 3/1986
G523 86-1236 3/1986
G524 86-1237 4/1986
G525 86-1238 4/1986
G526 88-1256 3/1988
G527 88-1257 4/1988
G528 88-1258 5/1988
G529 88-1259 6/1988
G530 88-1260 7/1988
G531 88-1261 8/1988
G532 88-1262 9/1988
G533 88-1263 11/1988
G534 88-1264 11/1988 Sold to QR National; in service 11-2004
G535 88-1265 12/1988
G536 88-1266 2/1989
G537 89-1270 5/1989
G538 89-1271 5/1989
G539 89-1272 6/1989
G540 89-1273 8/1989
G541 89-1274 9/1989
G542 89-1275 10/1989
G543 89-1276 11/1989

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