History
The 48 Class were ordered to commence the conversion of branch lines to diesel traction with the first entering service in September 1959. Further orders saw 165 in service by October 1970. There were three versions:
- Mark 1: 4801 – 4845
- Mark 2: 4846 – 4885
- Mark 3: 4886 – 48165
As well as branch lines they operated both main line and metropolitan services on every line in the state. Aside from a couple written off after accidents in the mid 1980s, withdrawals didn't commence in earnest until August 1994. In December 1994 the first Mark 1s were sold. By June 1997 FreightCorp's fleet was down to 120 units.
Others have been withdrawn since and as at February 2013, 64 remained in service primarily with Pacific National. GrainCorp, Greentrains, Junee Railway Workshop and Railcorp also operate some.
Read more about this topic: New South Wales 48 Class Locomotive
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