VL class
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The VL class is a class of diesel locomotives built by Avteq at a factory in Sunshine, Melbourne for Railfirst Asset Management between 2007 and 2009.[2] Built on the EMD GT26 platform, the class was an evolution of the Freight Australia XR class.[3][4]
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They have been hired to a variety of operators and have operated in all mainline states. Most entered service on lease to FreightLink hauling iron ore trains from Pine Creek to Darwin.[5] As at 2010, some remained on hire to FreightLink while others were engaged in hauling grain trains in other states. All are named after Australian racehorses.[6]
As at February 2022, nine of the 12 were being used by Qube.[7] As at September 2023, five are operating on the broad gauge with the Numbers 351, 353, 356, 357 & 360. The other seven on standard gauge have the Numbers 352, 354, 355, 358, 359, 361 & 362 .[8]
Avteq itself was founded in 2002 by Jed Macartney and Rob Powell as an aviation consulting business. In 2005, they diversified into locomotive manufacturing, building the VL class.[9][10][11][12] They designed a second locomotive class, but none were ever manufactured.[13] The company was deregistered in 2013.[14] Southern Shorthaul Railroad would build two BRM class locomotives to the design in 2013.