The 1460 class was an evolution of the 1450 class fitted with a new carbody and cab as well as dual controls and improved generators. Five were fitted with dynamic braking for descending the Haughton Range from Charters Towers to Townsville on the Great Northern Railway (Mt Isa line). They operated services along the North Coast line.[1][2]
The first was withdrawn in December 1986. 1492 being the first withdrawn, only after a level crossing accident in Townsville. In 1995, 21 were sold to New Zealand Rail (later Tranz Rail) in New Zealand. Eighteen were overhauled at Hutt Workshops in Wellington, and placed in service with Tranz Rail as the DQ and QR classes or with the Australian Transport Network in Tasmania as the DQ2000 class.[3][4][5] Four Tranz Rail DQs were exported to South Africa in 2013.[6]
Rebuilt by Tranz Rail as DQ 6399. Operated by TasRail in Tasmania as DQ 2007. Undergoing conversion to a driving trailer for the Railton to Devonport cement trains.[citation needed]
1486
December 1965
Scrapped
Withdrawal date unknown.
1487
December 1965
Scrapped
Withdrawal date unknown.
1488
December 1965
July 1999
Withdrawn
Modified and reclassified by Tranz Rail as QR 2079. Stored in Mount Vernon in Illinois.
1489
January 1966
July 1999
Withdrawn
Modified and reclassified by Tranz Rail as QR 2085. Stored in Mount Vernon in Illinois.
1490
January 1966
Scrapped
Withdrawal date unknown.
1491
February 1966
In service
Rebuilt by Tranz Rail. Operated by TasRail in Tasmania as DQ 2009.
1492
February 1966
Scrapped
Withdrawal date unknown. Now scrapped. Was the first of the 1460 Class To be Scrapped.
1493
March 1966
July 2002
Scrapped
Modified and reclassified by Tranz Rail as QR 2102. Operated by TasRail in Tasmania. Now scrapped.
1494
March 1966
In service
Shipped to South Africa. Now operated by APEX.
1495
April 1966
In service
Rebuilt by Tranz Rail. Operated by TasRail in Tasmania as DQ 2011.
1496
April 1966
Scrapped
Withdrawal date unknown.
1497
May 1966
In service
Rebuilt by Tranz Rail. Operated by TasRail in Tasmania as DQ 2012.