{{Short description|Australian diesel electric locomotive}} {{Infobox locomotive | name = Commonwealth Railways CL class | powertype = Diesel-electric | image = Locomotive CLF2.jpg | alt = | caption = Railpower CLF2 at Spotswood in March 2024 | builder = Clyde Engineering, Granville | ordernumber = | serialnumber = | buildmodel = AT26C (CL), AT26C-2M (CLF)<br/>AT26HC-2M (CLP) | builddate = 1970-1972 | totalproduction = 17 | rebuilder = Morrison Knudsen Australia | rebuilddate = 1993 | numberrebuilt = 17 | aarwheels = | uicclass = Co-Co | gauge = {{RailGauge|1435mm|allk=on}} | trucks = | bogies = Clyde Engineering Hi-Ad | wheeldiameter = {{convert|1016|mm|in|abbr=on}} | trailingdiameter = | minimumcurve = | wheelbase = | length = {{convert|19.58|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | width = | height = | axleload = 21.5t (CL/CLF), | weightondrivers = | locoweight = 129t (CL/CLF) 131t (CLP) | fueltype = Diesel | fuelcap = {{convert|10230|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}} (CL/CLF)<br/>{{convert|11360|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}} (CLP) | lubecap = {{convert|870|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}} | coolantcap = {{convert|1115|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}} | watercap = | sandcap = {{convert|340|L|impgal USgal|abbr=on}} | powersupply = | consumption = | watercons = | primemover = EMD 16-645E3 (CL)<br/>Electro-Motive Diesel 16-645E3C (CLF/CLP) | rpmrange = 315-900 | enginetype = Two-stroke V16 diesel | aspiration = Turbocharged | displacement = | alternator = AR10A4 | generator = | tractionmotors = EMD D77 (CL), EMD D78 (CLF/CLP) | headendpower = | cylindercount = 16 | cylindersize = | transmission = | multipleworking = | maxspeed = {{convert|130|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} (CL/CLF)<br/> {{convert|140|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} (CLP) | poweroutput = {{convert|2237|kW|hp|abbr=on}} (CL)<br/>{{convert|2460|kW|hp|abbr=on}} (CLF/CLP) | tractiveeffort = | factorofadhesion = | trainheating = | locobrakes = | locobrakeforce = | trainbrakes = | safety = | operator = Aurizon<br/>Southern Shorthaul Railroad<br/>RailPower<br/>Streamliners Australia | operatorclass = | powerclass = | numinclass = 17 | fleetnumbers = CL1-CL17 | officialname = | nicknames = | axleloadclass = | locale = | deliverydate = January 1970 | firstrundate = 9 February 1970 | lastrundate = | retiredate = | withdrawndate = | preservedunits = CL17 (CLP10) | restoredate = | scrapdate = | currentowner = Aurizon<br/>Southern Shorthaul Railroad<br/>RailPower<br/>Streamliners Australia | disposition = 11 in service, 2 stored, 1 under repair, 1 preserved, 2 scrapped }}
The '''CL class''' is a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville for the Commonwealth Railways in several batches between 1970 and 1972. The class was the last in the world to be built with the Electro-Motive Diesel bulldog nose but differed from previous builds in having a mansard roof.<ref name=LocosofAust>{{cite book |author=Oberg, Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1854-2007|year=2007|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|isbn=978-1-877058-54-7|page=359}}</ref>
==Construction== [[File:CL10 + L266 Parkeston, 1987.JPG|thumb|Australian National CL10 at Parkeston in August 1987]] In 1968, Commonwealth Railways placed an order for five 2237 kW locomotives with Clyde Engineering to operate services on the Trans-Australian Railway from Port Pirie to Kalgoorlie. They were mechanically similar to the Western Australian L class of 1967. The initial design was to have a Do-Do wheel arrangement and a USA style EMD FP45 cab. This was later changed to a streamlined carbody and conventional Co-Co wheel arrangement.{{citation needed|date=October 2018}}
==History== The first locomotive was completed in January 1970, with two further orders resulting in 17 locomotives being built with the last delivered in October 1972.<ref name=LocosofAust/> Their operating sphere was extended through to Perth on ''Indian Pacific'' services and for a time in the 1970s they operated through to Lithgow, New South Wales. In July 1975, all were included in the transfer of Commonwealth Railways to Australian National. The CLs began to operate to Alice Springs and Adelaide when these were converted to standard gauge in 1980 and 1983. In 2004, they began to operate to Darwin following this line opening.
==Remanufacturing== In August 1992, Australian National awarded Morrison Knudsen Australia a contract to remanufacture the CLs at its Whyalla factory.<ref>"Morrison Knudsen Australia and the CLPs" ''Railway Digest'' June 1994 pages 16-23</ref> As part of the deal, Morrison Knudsen purchased the locomotives and leased them back to Australian National for 12 years. Seven were rebuilt as CLFs to operate freight services and ten as CLPs with head end power to operate the ''Indian Pacific'', ''Ghan'', and ''Overland'' passenger services.<ref name=AustDieselScene2000>{{cite book|author=Antony Fitzgerald|chapter=Morrison Knudsen in Australia|title=Australian Diesel Scene 4|year=2000|publisher=Eveleigh Press|pages=6–43}}</ref>
The rebuilding involved stripping back to the frame, with everything except for the nose section and monocoque frame removed. Changes included the EMD 645E3 engines being replaced with overhauled EMD 645E3C engines imported from Morrison Knudsen in the US, the original main alternators were rebuilt from AR10/A4-D14 to the AR10/A9-D14 type, refurbished D78 traction motors replaced the originals along with a new gear ratio, and new MK-LOC microprocessor controls were fitted. The cab was upgraded to modern standards, the brake setup was also changed from twin to single shoe per wheel, and a number of other small changes were made to assist maintenance.<ref name=AustDieselScene2000/>
After rebuilding, the locomotives did not retain their numbers, for example, the first locomotive converted was CL2 which emerged as CLF1. All were back in service by the end of 1993. The CLFs appeared in the standard Australian National green with yellow data panel, strip and B-end. The CLPs received a unique livery, with a lighter green nose, silver carbody, and a yellow stripe running from the nose to the rear.<ref name=AustDieselScene2000/>
In 1994, Australian National's interstate services were transferred to National Rail. The lease with Morrison Knudsen meant the locomotives could only be used on Australian National trains, or a higher lease fee would apply. As a result, the class were not seen on National Rail operated trains, and did not venture onto the wider national standard gauge network until Australian National won ''hook and pull'' contracts for private operator SCT Logistics.<ref name=AustDieselScene2000/>
From January 1994, CLPs began operating the ''Indian Pacific'' from Sydney to Perth, previously New South Wales and Western Australia used their own locomotives on the train when within their state borders.<ref>"CLP Class Locos Take-Over Indian Pacific Workings" ''Railway Digest'' March 1994 page 7</ref> On conversion to standard gauge in 1995, ''The Overland'' was also hauled by CLPs.<ref name=AustDieselScene2000/> The use of the CLPs on passenger trains came to an end in November 1997, when the passenger operations of Australian National were sold to Great Southern Rail, who contracted National Rail to haul their trains.
CLP15 was involved in the Mount Christie head-on collision in February 1997, being stored for several months before scrapping in November the same year.<ref name=AustDieselScene2000/>
==Private ownership== In November 1997, the CL class were sold to Aurizon with Australian National's remaining freight operations. With the splitting up of the Australian Railroad Group in June 2006, 6 Locomotives Aurizon (CLF5, CLF6 & CLP8, CLP14, CLP16 and CLP17.<ref>[http://www.comrails.com/cr_locos/r_cl.html Standard Gauge CL] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115083959/http://www.comrails.com/cr_locos/r_cl.html |date=15 January 2014 }} Chris' Commonwealth Railways Pages</ref><ref>[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/cl-class CL Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131004406/http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/cl-class |date=31 January 2014 }} Railpage</ref><ref>[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/clf-class CLF Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131004408/http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/clf-class |date=31 January 2014 }} Railpage</ref><ref>[http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/clp-class CLP Class] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131004411/http://www.railpage.com.au/locos/clp-class |date=31 January 2014 }} Railpage</ref> The units operated out of Adelaide see regular work on Intermodal, Grain and other Bulk services, an overhaul program commenced in 2020 with CLP8, CLP14 and CLP16 receiving rust repairs, repaints and CCO's.
In mid-2017, a fund-raising campaign was started with the aim of purchasing CLP10 from Apex International and restoring it externally to its as-built condition as CL17. On 21 June 2018, it was announced that the campaign had been successful in raising the $150,000 required to purchase the locomotive for preservation.<ref>[https://gogetfunding.com/save-clp17-formally-cl17-last-emd-streamliner-built-in-the-world/ Last chance to Save CLP10 Last EMD Streamliner Built in Australia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619040110/https://gogetfunding.com/save-clp17-formally-cl17-last-emd-streamliner-built-in-the-world/ |date=19 June 2018 }} GoGetFunding</ref><ref>[https://www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/5473504/effort-mounts-to-save-historic-rail-loco/?cs=181 Streamliners Australia rally to save unique Goulburn loco] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619022400/https://www.goulburnpost.com.au/story/5473504/effort-mounts-to-save-historic-rail-loco/?cs=181 |date=19 June 2018 }} The Goulburn Post</ref>
In mid-2019, it was revealed that Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) had purchased 4 locomotives from the Apex group. These included CLF1, CLF3, CLF4, CLP9 & CLP12, with 2204 (ex NSWGR 422 class locomotive 42216) also included in the sale.<ref>{{cite web |title=SA CL Class |url=https://www.hotboxcontent.com.au/locomotives-sa-cl-class.html |website=Hotbox Content |access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref> The locomotives were transferred from Goulburn to Cootamundra for reactivation, and they re-entered service between 2020 and 2023.
The remaining Apex group CLs were purchased by RailPower. These included CLF2, CLP11, & CLP13. The only CLFs, CLF2 were reactivated in 2020.<ref name=VSCLF4>{{cite web |title=Locomotives - CLF4 |url=https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=locomotives&number=4&class=CLF&type=Diesel-Electric |website=VICSIG |access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref> As of 2024, CLP11 and CLP13 were still being worked on to return to service.
On 8 March 2023, CLF1 and CLF4 were involved in a level crossing accident at Rockview, New South Wales.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hayter |first1=Melinda |title=Train derails at Old Junee level crossing after collision with a truck, three in hospital |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-08/old-junee-train-derailment/102067262 |access-date=29 May 2024 |work=ABC News |date=8 March 2023}}</ref> CLF1 was taken to SSR's workshops in Bendigo, Victoria and CLF4 was taken to MainTrain in Auburn, NSW.<ref>{{cite web |title=Locomotives-CLF1 |url=https://vicsig.net/index.php?page=locomotives&number=1&class=CLF&type=Diesel-Electric |website=VICSIG |access-date=29 May 2024}}</ref><ref name=VSCLF4/> CLF1 was deemed economically irreparable, and is currently awaiting scrapping. As of 2024, CLF4 is still undergoing repairs at MainTrain.
[[File:Repainted CLP17 on 6DA2 in September 2025.jpg|thumb|Repainted Aurizon CLP17 on 6DA2 in September 2025]] [[File:Four streamliners and C501 stabled at the SRHC depot.jpg|thumb|CL17 during restoration with Seymour Railway Heritage Centre locomotives C501, A60, S307 and B74 during a SRHC open day in 2024]]
==Class list== {| class="wikitable" !Key: |bgcolor=#FFFFFF|In service |bgcolor=#FF6699|Stored |bgcolor=#0099FF|Preserved |bgcolor=#00CC00|Under Restoration |bgcolor=#FF6600|Under Repair |bgcolor=#808080|Scrapped |}
{|class="wikitable sortable" |+Class List.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Australia |first=Streamliners |title=Streamliners Australia |url=https://streamlinersaustralia.org.au/fleetlist |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Streamliners Australia |language=en-AU}}</ref> |- ! Original Number!! Entered service !! Renumbered As !! Rebuild Serial !! Name !! Current/Last Owner !! Livery !! Status |- | bgcolor="#808080" |CL1 | bgcolor="#808080" |February 1970 | bgcolor="#808080" |CLP15 | bgcolor="#808080" |93-AN-15 | bgcolor="#808080" |John Gorton (formerly) Kokatha | bgcolor="#808080" |Australian National | bgcolor="#808080" |AN Green, Yellow and Silver | bgcolor="#808080" |Scrapped |- | bgcolor="#FF6699"|CL2 | bgcolor="#FF6699"|March 1970 | bgcolor="#FF6699"|CLF1 | bgcolor="#FF6699"|93-AN-1 | bgcolor="#FF6699"|City of Whyalla (formerly) Milton Bromwich | bgcolor="#FF6699"|Southern Shorthaul Railroad | bgcolor="#FF6699"|Southern Shorthaul Railroad | bgcolor="#FF6699"|Accident Damaged, March 2023. Deemed beyond economical repair and is awaiting scrapping. |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL3 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |April 1970 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLP13 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-13 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Nukunu (formerly) White Knight | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |RailPower | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Primer White with RailPower Logos | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Reactivated November 2024 |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL4 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |May 1970 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLP14 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-14 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Barngarla | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Aurizon | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |ORA Orange & Black with Aurizon Logos | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |In service |- | bgcolor="#FF6600" |CL5 | bgcolor="#FF6600" |July 1970 | bgcolor="#FF6600" |CLF4 | bgcolor="#FF6600" |93-AN-4 | bgcolor="#FF6600" | | bgcolor="#FF6600" |Southern Sorthaul Railroad | bgcolor="#FF6600" |Undercoat | bgcolor="#FF6600" |Accident Damaged, March 2023. Under Repair |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL6 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |November 1970 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLF6 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-6 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" | | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Aurizon | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Overhaul into Aurizon Canary | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Out of service |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL7 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |November 1970 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLF3 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-3 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Space Ghost (formerly) Jason Ferguson | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Southern Shorthaul Railroad | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |SSR Black and Silver | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |In service |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL8 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |January 1971 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLP17 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-17 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Arabana | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Aurizon | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Aurizon Yellow with Black Roof | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |In Service |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL9 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |March 1971 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLP8 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-8 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Gough Whitlam (formerly) City of Port Augusta | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Aurizon | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |ORA Orange & Black with Aurizon Logos | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |In service |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL10 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |April 1971 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLP16 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-16 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Murunitja | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Aurizon | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |ORA Orange & Black with Aurizon Logos | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |In service |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL11 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |June 1971 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLF2 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-2 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" | | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |RailPower | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |ARG Orange and Black with Railpower Logos | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |In service |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL12 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |July 1971 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLF5 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-5 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" | | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Aurizon | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |GWA Orange & Black | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |In service |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL13 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |August 1971 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLP9 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-9 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Peter Wilks | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Southern Shorthaul Railroad | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Auscision Models | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |In service |- | bgcolor="#FF6699" |CL14 | bgcolor="#FF6699" |December 1971 | bgcolor="#FF6699" |CLP11 | bgcolor="#FF6699" |93-AN-11 | bgcolor="#FF6699" |Charlie Jones (formerly) Kaurna | bgcolor="#FF6699" |RailPower | bgcolor="#FF6699" |QRN - Maroon, Yellow and Black | bgcolor="#FF6699" |Stored (Goulburn) |- | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CL15 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |January 1972 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |CLP12 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |93-AN-12 | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Ngadjuri (formerly) Casper | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Southern Shorthaul Railroad | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |Primer White with SSR Logos | bgcolor="#FFFFFF" |In service |- | bgcolor="#808080" |CL16 | bgcolor="#808080" |March 1972 | bgcolor="#808080" |CLF7 | bgcolor="#808080" |93-AN-7 | bgcolor="#808080" | | bgcolor="#808080" |Aurizon | bgcolor="#808080" |ARG Orange & Black | bgcolor="#808080" |Scrapped |- | bgcolor="#00CC00" |CL17 | bgcolor="#00CC00" |June 1972 | bgcolor="#00CC00" |CLP10 | bgcolor="#00CC00" |93-AN-10 | bgcolor="#00CC00" |William McMahon (formerly) Mirning (formerly) | bgcolor="#00CC00" |Streamliners Australia | bgcolor="#00CC00" |Undercoat Grey (to be restored to original condition in Commonwealth Railways livery) | bgcolor="#00CC00" |Preserved/Under Restoration |}
==References==
===Notes=== {{Reflist}}
===Bibliography=== {{refbegin}} *{{FluMarWil-LocRailCR}} {{refend}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline|Commonwealth Railways CL class locomotives}}
{{AusLocos|state=collapsed}}
Category:Clyde Engineering locomotives Category:Co-Co locomotives Category:Commonwealth Railways diesel locomotives Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1970 Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of Australia Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Australia Category:Aurizon diesel locomotives Category:Streamlined diesel locomotives