Westrail DB class


The Westrail DB Class is a class of diesel-electric locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Rosewater, for Westrail in 1982-1983.

History

In 1980, Westrail ordered ten DB Class locomotives from Clyde Engineering, Rosewater. Designated as the EMD G26CU-2, they were an evolution of the D and DA Classes. The original order was extended to thirteen in October 1980. The class were fitted with a full-width cab, dual braking systems, a pressurised body to exclude dust and were the first Westrail locomotives to have air-conditioned cabs.
They were not owned by Westrail, but leverage leased from LVL Nominees, entering service between April 1982 and May 1983. All were named after cities and shires in South West Western Australia. Brass nameplates were originally fitted, but these were later replaced by painted names.
All were included in the sale of Westrail to Australian Railroad Group in December 2000, the State Government having bought out the leases shortly before. As part of a policy to drop letter classifications in favour of a numeric system based on horsepower, they became the 2300 Class. In May 2003, 2313 was transferred to Australian Southern Railroad's Whyalla operation, it returned in August 2006.
In June 2006, all were included in the sale of Australian Railroad Group's Western Australian operation to QR National. Between 2006 and 2012, all were equipped with ZTR engine control equipment. A change in policy saw letter classifications reintroduced, with the class again becoming the DB Class. Upon being fitted with ZTR equipment, they were reclassified as DBZs.
All remained in service at the beginning of 2013, however 12 months later this was down to five with the last two withdrawn in March 2014. By June 2014, seven had returned to service.
In December 2017, CBH Group purchased 10 units from Aurizon for use on their wheat train services, operated by Watco Australia at the time. These units were transferred to Beverley for further storage pending reactivation. By July 2019, three units, DBZ2301, 2302 and 2305, had entered service with their new owners.
In 2023, all CBH owned locomotives were stored pending shipping to South Africa before the sale fell through just two days before they were due to leave. One year later, Watco had purchased the units from CBH and have transferred them from Beverley to the Wheatbelt Heritage Rail Centre in Minnivale.

Class list

Key:In ServiceStoredPreservedConvertedUnder OverhaulScrapped

Serial NumberEntered serviceOriginal Road NumberRenumbered AsNameCurrent/Last OwnerStatusNotes
81-989Tuesday, 27 April 1982DB1581DBZ2301City of BunburyWatco AustraliaIn Service-
81-990May 1982DB1582DBZ2302Shire of Serpentine-JarrahdaleWatco AustraliaIn Service-
81-991June 1982DB1583DBZ2303Shire of MurrayWatco AustraliaIn Service-
81-992July 1982DB1584DBZ2304Shire of WaroonaWatco AustraliaIn Service-
81-993August 1982DB1585DBZ2305Shire of HarveyWatco AustraliaIn Service-
81-994September 1982DB1586DBZ2306Shire of DardanupWatco AustraliaStored -
81-995October 1982DB1587DBZ2307Shire of CapelWatco AustraliaIn Service-
81-996November 1982DB1588DBZ2308Shire of Donnybrook-BalingupWatco AustraliaIn Service-
81-997December 1982DB1589DBZ2309Shire of Bridgetown-GreenbushesAurizonStored -
81-998February 1983DB1590DBZ2310Shire of CollieAurizonStored Swapped names with DBZ2311 during overhaul.
82-1122March 1983DB1591DBZ2311Shire of ManjimupAurizonStored Swapped names with DBZ2310 during overhaul.
82-1123May 1983DB1592DBZ2312Shire of ToodyayWatco AustraliaIn Service-
82-1124May 1983DB1593DBZ2313Shire of Northam/Iron Duke/Shire of DowerinWatco AustraliaIn ServiceTransferred to Australian Southern Railroad, Whyalla in May 2003 and renamed "Iron Duke". Returned to Western Australia in August 2006 and renamed "Shire of Dowerin".