The 1600 class was a class of diesel locomotives built by English Electric, Rocklea for Queensland Railways between 1962 and 1964.

History The 1600 class were built as branch line locomotives. Two contracts were let of which the first was for twelve with a follow on contract for another six. The first batch were delivered between December 1962 and June 1963, with the others arriving between October 1963 and January 1964. A lengthy delay occurred before delivery owing to the first four being over the design weight. This resulted in numbers 1604 and 1605 being the first to enter service. All others were delivered after the weight problem had been overcome.

They were initially based at Alpha in Central West Queensland1600, 1620 Class Queensland's Great TrainsEnglish Electric 1600 Class Queensland's Railway Interest Group and at Roma in South west Queensland. They were also used for shunting at yards around the state. Soon afterwards, all the 1600s were based at Alpha. The 1620 Class followed on from the success of the 1600s, and were used in the central and northern areas of Qld.

The class was withdrawn in 1991.

Five have been preserved: 1603 by the Bundaberg Railway Historical Society 1604 by the Bellarine Railway, Queenscliff, VictoriaDiesel locomotives Bellarine Railway 1613 by the Longreach Powerhouse Museum 1614 by the Australian Railway Historical Society at the Archer Park Rail Museum, RockhamptonArcher Park Rail Museum Rockhampton Regional Council 1616 by the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway, Ipswich1600 Class Diesel Electric Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway

Status table of preserved locomotives NumberIn serviceWithdrawnOwnerLocationNotes160302/19631991Bundaberg Railway Historical SocietyBundaberg Railway MuseumStatic display. Relocated from CQ University (Bundaberg Campus) in July 2023.160412/19621991Bellarine RailwayQueenscliff, VictoriaOperational. Previously preserved by ARHS-Qld Division at Rosewood Railway Museum.161311/19631991Longreach Powerhouse MuseumLongreachOn static display.161411/19631991ARHS-Qld DivisionArcher Park Museum, RockhamptonOperational. On loan from ARHS-Qld Division.161612/19631991Queensland Pioneer Steam RailwayBox Flat (Swanbank)Operational. Used to supplement their flagship PB15.

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