Queensland Railways 1620 class
The 1620 class was a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for Queensland Railways between 1967 and 1969.
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. The class was withdrawn in the mid 1990s with some sold to John Holland and exported to Malaysia and The Philippines.Malaysia: 1647 was seen at Lafarge cement works at Padang Jawa,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 Vulcan Works - No D926 0-6-0DH shunter, operational status unknown.
Another 1620 class loco and still operational with DMIA 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:
- 1620 retained as part of the Queensland Rail Heritage Fleet at the Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich, restored for main line operation
- 1632 leased to the Mary Valley Rattler, Gympie.
- 1639 leased to the Mary Valley Rattler, Gympie.
- 1649 leased to the Mary Valley Rattler, Gympie.
- 1650 by the Australian Railway Historical Society, stored at Redbank Railway Workshops
- 1651 at Redbank Workshops