WAGR D class (diesel)

class of diesel locomotive

The WAGR D class were a total of 12 diesel-electric locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) from 1971 to 2000.

D class No. 1562 at Kwinana yard in 2004.

When introduced the D class were the heaviest narrow gauge diesels in Australia, they were built by Clyde Engineering of Granville, Sydney, New South Wales from 1971 to 1972. The D class were put into service on bauxite traffic between Jarrahdale and Kwinana, they were so successful that 7 more were ordered which were classed Da.

13 more followed in 1982 as the Db class. Up until the introduction of the S class in 1998, most could be found running on the South Western mainline. In 1998 No. 1563 became the first of the class to be withdrawn and was shipped to Chile under the number 2000.

Two D class survived with Westrail until 2000 when they were included in the sale of the goods sector to the Australian Railroad Group (ARG). Class leader No. 1561 was scrapped in 2011 by Aurizon, but the rest of the class remain operational.

No. 1562 at Bunbury port in 2004.
No. 1562 at Capital Park in 2015, serving under Rovos Rail.