VL class
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VL357 at Moorabbin | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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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]
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.
| Status Table[15][16] | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | Name | Entered Service | Status | Owner | Livery | Operator | Notes |
| VL351 | Danehill | 2007 | In Service | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | Qube Logistics | Currently on Broad Gauge for use by QUBE in Victoria |
| VL352 | Makybe Diva | 2007 | Stored, available for hire | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | N/A | |
| VL353 | Comic Court | 2007 | In Service | Rail First Asset Management | CFCLA silver & blue | QUBE Logistics | Currently on Broad Gauge for use by QUBE in Victoria |
| VL354 | Van Der Hum | 2007 | Stored, available for hire | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | N/A | Stored at Islington Workshops, SA |
| VL355 | Black Knight | 2007 | Stored, available for hire | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | N/A | |
| VL356 | Gatum Gatum | 2008 | In Service | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | QUBE Logistics | Currently on Broad Gauge for use by QUBE in Victoria |
| VL357 | Empire Rose | 2008 | In Service | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | Qube | Currently on Broad Gauge for use by QUBE in Victoria |
| VL358 | Vintage Crop | 2008 | Stored, Available for Hire | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | N/A | |
| VL359 | Media Puzzle | 2008 | In Service | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | Sydney Rail Services | |
| VL360 | Gurner’s Lane | 2008 | Stored, available for hire | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | N/A | Was used by QUBE on Broad Gauge services in Victoria from 2018 until mid-2026 |
| VL361 | At Talaq | 2009 | Stored, available for hire | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | N/A | |
| VL362 | Efficient | 2009 | Stored, available for hire | Rail First Asset Management | RFAM silver & blue | N/A | |
References
[edit]- ↑ "VL Class - Rail First". Archived from the original on 14 May 2025.
- ↑ VL351 Catch Point issue 178 March 2007 page 16
- ↑ The Allco / CFCLA Joint Venture VL Class Railway Digest April 2007 page 7
- ↑ New Locomotive Newsrail May 2007 page 156
- ↑ Resumption of Frances Creek iron ore trains Railway Digest September 2007 page 16
- ↑ Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s - 2010. Rosenberg Publishing. pp. 438/439. ISBN 9781921719011.
- ↑ Qube takes over hauling Victorian steel trains The Railway Magazine issue 1452 March 2022 page 85
- ↑ Australia Wide Fleet List Motive Power issue 144 November 2022 page 72
- ↑ Avteq: Who in the world are they? Motive Power issue 49 December 2006 pages 56/57
- ↑ The Allco / CFCLA Joint Venture VL Class Railway Digest April 2007 page 7
- ↑ New Locomotive Newsrail May 2007 page 156
- ↑ Oberg, Leon (2010). Locomotives of Australia 1850s - 2010. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 438. ISBN 9781921719011.
- ↑ Avteq Products Avteq
- ↑ Avteq Pty Ltd Australian Securities & Investments Commission
- ↑ "VL Class - Rail First". Retrieved 8 September 2026.
- ↑ "VICSIG". vicsig.net. Retrieved 8 September 2026.