# VL class

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name = VL class
| image = VL357 at Morrabbin Station.jpg
| caption = VL357 at Moorabbin
| powertype = Diesel-electric
| builder = [Avteq](/source/Avteq)
| buildmodel = [EMD GT26C](/source/EMD_GT26_Series)
| builddate = 2007 - 2009
| totalproduction = 12
| Britishclass = [Co-Co](/source/Co-Co_locomotive)
| gauge = {{track gauge|1435mm}}<br>{{track gauge|1600mm}}
| locoweight = 130.0 tonnes<ref>{{cite web | title=VL Class - Rail First | url=https://railfirst.com.au/portfolio-item/vl-class/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514025229/https://railfirst.com.au/portfolio-item/vl-class/ | archive-date=14 May 2025 }}</ref>
| fuelcap = 9,200 litres ((4,200 litres on Broad Gauge))
| primemover = [EMD 16-645E3B](/source/EMD_645)
| alternator = AR10A4
| tractionmotors = D78
| cylindercount = V16
| trainbrakes = [Air](/source/Railway_air_brake)
| maxspeed = 115 km/h
| poweroutput = {{convert|2237|kW|hp|abbr=on}}
| operator = [Rail First Asset Management](/source/Rail_First_Asset_Management)
| numinclass = 12
| fleetnumbers = VL351-VL362
| deliverydate = 2007
| firstrundate = 2007
| lastrundate = 2009
| currentowner = [Rail First Asset Management](/source/Rail_First_Asset_Management)
| disposition = 12 in service
}}

The '''VL class''' is a class of diesel locomotives built by Avteq at a factory in [Sunshine, Melbourne](/source/Sunshine%2C_Victoria) for [Railfirst Asset Management](/source/Rail_First_Asset_Management) between 2007 and 2009.<ref>VL351 ''[Catch Point](/source/Catch_Point_(periodical))'' issue 178 March 2007 page 16</ref> Built on the [EMD GT26](/source/EMD_GT26_Series) platform, the class was an evolution of the [Freight Australia XR class](/source/Freight_Australia_XR_class).<ref>The Allco / CFCLA Joint Venture VL Class ''[Railway Digest](/source/Railway_Digest)'' April 2007 page 7</ref><ref>New Locomotive ''[Newsrail](/source/Newsrail)'' May 2007 page 156</ref>

They have been hired to a variety of operators and have operated in all mainline states. Most entered service on lease to [FreightLink](/source/FreightLink) hauling iron ore trains from [Pine Creek](/source/Pine_Creek%2C_Northern_Territory) to [Darwin](/source/Darwin%2C_Northern_Territory).<ref>Resumption of Frances Creek iron ore trains ''Railway Digest'' September 2007 page 16</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Oberg|first=Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1850s - 2010|date=2010|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|isbn=9781921719011|pages=438/439}}</ref>

As at February 2022, nine of the 12 were being used by [Qube](/source/Qube_Holdings).<ref>Qube takes over hauling Victorian steel trains ''[The Railway Magazine](/source/The_Railway_Magazine)'' issue 1452 March 2022 page 85</ref> As at September 2023, five are operating on the [broad gauge](/source/broad_gauge) with the Numbers 351, 353, 356, 357 & 360. The other seven on [standard gauge](/source/standard_gauge) have the Numbers 352, 354, 355, 358, 359, 361 & 362 .<ref> Australia Wide Fleet List ''[Motive Power](/source/Motive_Power)'' issue 144 November 2022 page 72</ref>

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.<ref>Avteq: Who in the world are they? ''[Motive Power](/source/Motive_Power)'' issue 49 December 2006 pages 56/57</ref><ref>The Allco / CFCLA Joint Venture VL Class ''[Railway Digest](/source/Railway_Digest)'' April 2007 page 7</ref><ref>New Locomotive ''[Newsrail](/source/Newsrail)'' May 2007 page 156</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Oberg|first=Leon|title=Locomotives of Australia 1850s - 2010|date=2010|publisher=Rosenberg Publishing|isbn=9781921719011|page=438}}</ref> They designed a second locomotive class, but none were ever manufactured.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101113082510/http://avteq.net.au/products.html Avteq Products] Avteq</ref> The company was deregistered in 2013.<ref>[https://connectonline.asic.gov.au/RegistrySearch/faces/landing/panelSearch.jspx?searchText=101781257&searchType=OrgAndBusNm&_adf.ctrl-state=rco8hps06_15 Avteq Pty Ltd] [Australian Securities & Investments Commission](/source/Australian_Securities_%26_Investments_Commission)</ref> [Southern Shorthaul Railroad](/source/Southern_Shorthaul_Railroad) would build two [BRM class](/source/BRM_class) locomotives to the design in 2013.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

Category:Co-Co locomotives
Category:Diesel–electric locomotives of Australia
Category:Electro-Motive Diesel locomotives
Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of Australia
Category:Broad gauge locomotives in Australia
Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 2007

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [VL class](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VL_class) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VL_class?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.