It was DQ 6007, which was the first of the Queensland 1502 class to be
rebuilt here. (Tranz Rail purchased 4 1502 class and 21 1460 class locos
from QR). The rebuild involved the replacement of the high shorthood and
the replacement with a low short hood and new cab. The old A7 brake as
removed as were the dual controls. It was replaced with 26L brake and
"right hand drive" drivers console. The loco is fitted with "bull bars" in
front of the short hood.
The all important colour scheme is orange with yellow pinstripping on the
short hood. Unfortunately the photo I saw only showed the cab and short
hood but I am told the long hood is all orange but will have to confirm.
There is no class but is numbered 2001, with numbering on the cab walls and
front of the short hood. The front headstock is yellow with black diagonal
pinstripping. All the hand rails and bull bars are painted white.
It is fitted with "ditch lights" which flash when the whistle is sounded.
The loco is set up for single manning (DOO).
According to the in house staff magazine "Expressions" it is booked to go
to Tassie in late August along with 10 IB class wagons. These wagons are
capible of carrying 3x20 foot containers. The other 3 1502 class are
earmarked for Tassie as well when the overhauls are complete. There is
some talk about retrofitting them with turbos but no decission has been
made about this yet as far as I know.
A slightly different note on locos. Tranz Rail announced that it has
recently purchased 7 L class and 2 D class locos from WestRail. It is not
decided yet as to whether they will travel to New Zealand for use or if
they will be put into service in Australia in anticipation of future
railway purchases. It is possible that the two D class may go straight to
Tassie but nothing confirmed. I have no idea what the fleet numbers are.
I will try to get more info and shipping dates and post them as I get them.
Cheers
John Regan
Locomotive Engineer
Tranz Rail
New Zealand