DH Class | Railways and Tramways of Australia

DH Class

Anchor 1

Queensland Rail locomotive DH 8, shut down at Innisfail station, 28 May 1986. Photo: Luke Cossins, Wikimedia Commons.

Road numbers:

DH73

Operator:

Downer Rail

Gauge:

1067 mm

Year of entry into service:

1966

Number built:

Model:

GH500

Manufacturer:

Walkers Limited

Manufacturing location:

Maryborough, Qld

Engine:

Caterpillar D353E

Traction power:

347 kW

Wheel arrangement:

B-B

Weight:

36.6 t

Length:

10.1 m

Queensland Railways had a total of 73 of the DH Class in shunting service across the state. They were built locally by Walkers Limited at Maryborough and replaced many steam locomotives that had been used for shunting. Some DH Class locomotives were later rebuilt as 610 mm gauge units for service in sugar cane haulage. The last DH Class member to enter service, DH73, is also the last remaining operational as a DH locomotive. It is used as a shunter at Downer Rail in Maryborough, which incorporates the former Walkers Limited factory, where it was built.