The VL class is a class of diesel locomotives built by Avteq at a factory in Sunshine, Melbourne for Rail First Asset Management between 2007 and 2009.VL351 Catch Point issue 178 March 2007 page 16 Built on the EMD GT26 platform, the class was an evolution of the Freight Australia XR class.The Allco / CFCLA Joint Venture VL Class Railway Digest April 2007 page 7New Locomotive Newsrail May 2007 page 156
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.Resumption of Frances Creek iron ore trains Railway Digest September 2007 page 16 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.
As at February 2022, 9 of the 12 were being used by Qube.Qube takes over hauling Victorian steel trains The Railway Magazine issue 1452 March 2022 page 85 As at September 2023, 4 are operating on the broad gauge with the Numbers 351, 353, 356 & 357. The other 8 on standard gauge have the Numbers 352, 354, 355, 358, 359, 360, 361 & 362. Australia Wide Fleet List Motive Power issue 144 November 2022 page 72
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.Avteq: Who in the world are they? Motive Power issue 49 December 2006 pages 56/57The Allco / CFCLA Joint Venture VL Class Railway Digest April 2007 page 7New Locomotive Newsrail May 2007 page 156 They designed a second locomotive class, but none were ever manufactured.Avteq Products Avteq The company was deregistered in 2013.Avteq Pty Ltd Australian Securities & Investments Commission Southern Shorthaul Railroad would build 2 BRM class locomotives to the design in 2013.
+Status TableNumberNameEntered ServiceStatusOwnerLiveryOperatorNotesVL351Danehill2007In ServiceRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueQube Logistics Currently on Broad Gauge for use by QUBE in Victoria VL352Makybe Diva2007Stored, available for hireRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueN/AStored at Islington Workshops, South AustraliaVL353Comic Court2007 In ServiceRail First Asset ManagementCFCLA silver & blueQube LogisticsCurrently on Broad Gauge for use by QUBE in VictoriaVL354Van Der Hum2007Stored, available for hireRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueN/AStored at Islington Workshops, South AustraliaVL355Black Knight2007Stored, available for hireRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueN/AStored at Islington Workshops, South AustraliaVL356Gatum Gatum2008In ServiceRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueQube Logistics Currently on Broad Gauge for use by QUBE in VictoriaVL357Empire Rose2008In ServiceRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueQube Logistics Currently on Broad Gauge for use by QUBE in VictoriaVL358Vintage Crop2008Stored, Available for Hire Rail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueN/AStored at Islington Workshops, South AustraliaVL359Media Puzzle2008In ServiceRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blue Sydney Rail ServicesVL360Gurner’s Lane2008Stored, available for hireRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueN/AWas used by QUBE on Broad Gauge services in Victoria from 2018 until mid-2026VL361At Talaq2009Stored, available for hireRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueN/AStored at Islington Workshops, South AustraliaVL362Efficient2009Stored, available for hireRail First Asset ManagementRFAM silver & blueN/AStored at Islington Workshops, South Australia
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