Rise of the 2700s | Queensland Trains

Aurizon's newest class of locomotive, the 2700 class (GT38LC-3), recently made it out on the mainline after half a year without much use. During the last week of February 2021, 2701 and 2703 operated coal trains 9D66 and 9867 from Monday the 22nd of February until Friday the 26th of February 2021. Wednesday, saw the locomotives head further east from Toowoomba, bound for Fisherman Island and returning to Willowburn Yard early the next morning.
Watch these new locomotives stretch their legs on the West Moreton System.

[@cameforthemen8132]

6:24 “I would like to take a moment to commend aurizon for choosing horns that sounds like a goose had its egg shoved back up its ass. It makes these locos sound really fierce.” Best line in the whole vid.

[@kylegleeson8638]

Its been breezed over by a lot of viewers surprisingly! I shouldn't get into too much trouble for it

[@cameforthemen8132]

@@kylegleeson8638 how many 2700’s are in service as of now?

[@kylegleeson8638]

there are six; 2706 is almost done. There is one under the PRA classification being used on the Mount Isa line for Qube

[@cameforthemen8132]

@@kylegleeson8638 ok thx, I’ve never seen one so I can’t wait!

[@TCFan30]

You should listen to the ex NSW 422/442 class horns. They got the whole egg basket job!

[@Jenson-Brisbane]

6:25 I get goosebumps from that sound 😂🤣

[@redbingarboproductions]

i saw a 2700 class in Brisbane as Aurizon 2706

[@kylegleeson8638]

Yea mate, when Grain ended mid 2023 the 27s have been put onto coal services

[@krisb51]

We had one in Jilalan yard a few weeks ago. I went and had a look. The cab set-up is an improvement - removal of the d.a box and hotplate has freed up some space - but in reality, it's a 40 year-old loco rolled in glitter.

[@kylegleeson8638]

Being a tall bloke the diagonal desk looks like it will give me grief. The automatic shut down gave me the craps

[@timvandiepen8373]

Awesome

[@alexlam8947]

Thank you for the video. My boys loved it, hard to find details and times on these trains

[@kylegleeson8638]

Glad you guys enjoyed it! The railways are very secretive on train schedules. The 2700s are stored currently, hopefully they hit the mainline soon. Hope you skipped past my comment on the horns I wasn't expecting to have a younger audience

[@AussieGreyhound]

That are in my opinion an improvement . Haven’t done a loaded long haul uphill pull yet with them, but moderate hills, loading and empty running, they are like a new pair of shoes, they just take a little time to get used to them

[@kylegleeson8638]

Had one at work just been pulled out to get ready for the yellow mob. The STP and vigilance is mute on the PRA and it isn't supposed to lead. They have a nice cab. not a fan of the desk opposite the control stand

[@timvandiepen8373]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@clayton4115]

that yellow looks amazing !

[@kylegleeson8638]

It's got a bit of charm to it!

[@TCFan25]

The 4600 have the same crappy horn too lol! 🦢🥚💩😖

[@kylegleeson8638]

Bloody oath ahh well

[@aidanbryanquilloy2879]

6:35 Agreed, horn choice is terrible.

[@FishplateFilms]

Nice work Kyle! I saw 2705 & 06 at Redbank last week undergoing testing. I haven't seen 2701 or 02 down in Brissy for ages but I did see 03 and 04 a few weeks back . I would love to catch these on the Little Liverpool in Laidely , but that would need a lot of insider info..LOL. And yes , what were they thinking with that horn?? Cheers Gregg.

[@kylegleeson8638]

Glad you enjoyed it Gregg, I've heard they have been running New Acland trains sparodically, I don't think they are accredited past Jondaryan. If you do venture up north Qube have a unit leased from Progress Rail for the Isa line

[@taureanlea3777]

I would love to see the 2700s back on track soon!!

[@kylegleeson8638]

I'm sure a lot of people would as well :)

[@tobys_transport_videos]

So what is the story behind the 2700 class? What are they rebuilt from? I remember the 2300 class (as a rebuild) coming into service around the turn of the century, and coming down from Toowoomba on the Westlander behind 2304, then the later arrival of the 2350 class (as a rebuild). Also, what is the story with the 2900 class? I've been largely off the Queensland Railscene for close to 20 years, pursuing other railway interests...

[@kylegleeson8638]

2700/2900s have been rebuilt from 2100 series, 2300s and 2470s at Progress Rails Redbank facility. Aurizon bought them for the New Acland Mine Contract, with teething issues and the stage 3 approvals going into limbo further deliveries have been cancelled with the project being palmed off to QR replacing 645 prime movers that are 40 years old. 2700s have found a new home on grain in the South West. With the drought they have now moved back to coal. 2900s are still on trial on passenger and maintenance trains.

[@tobys_transport_videos]

@@kylegleeson8638 Thanks for the update, Kyle. I remember 2100's and 2400's on SX sets around Brisbane in the 80s and 90s when I visited Brissy as a kid or younger adult. I'm trying to get back up to speed in my QR knowledge ahead of my trip in May '24. 🙂

[@kylegleeson8638]

Bloody hell! It'll be completely different I hope you aren't focusing on SEQ

[@TheSouthernytIRL]

would be nice to see if they had new coal wagons for the 2700s

[@kylegleeson8638]

If only. Doubt it will happen, there are still two sets stored at Gympie

[@thefishmanisa]

Awesome video man! Currently in Oakey and love watching the trains go through here. Where is that awesome spot that you could railfan Willowburn yard?

[@kylegleeson8638]

Thanks Greg, the spot at Willowburn is Davidson and Jones Street

[@TCFan30]

The liveries are absolutely horrendous. The QR National eagle livery was by far the last and possibly best ever adopted at the time!

[@kylegleeson8638]

It was pretty good. Lots of slaps on the back for execs cost saving on this livery. The 2800s look disgusting after a year in Canary.

[@philm8329]

Hey Kyle try this for a location the level crossing at Gowrie Junction for a up train mate nice hill in the background to zoom in plus its nice long straight also mate cheers Phil

[@kylegleeson8638]

I shall give it a go next time I am down there :)

[@philm8329]

@@kylegleeson8638 cool

[@philm8329]

@@kylegleeson8638 there should be 2 scenes there at Gowrie on my channel if you want to check them out

[@steverob7637]

QR have their own version now - the 2900 class. With the same crappy klaxon/horn?

[@kylegleeson8638]

The livery on that loco is disgusting

[@tokelosellosrailwaychanel3208]

This looks like cape gauge? I would love to see these locos coming down to south africa to work on branch lines

[@kylegleeson8638]

It sure is 1067mm/3ft6. It would be a miracle if Aurizon do export them to Africa when their use here ends, not impossible. Perhaps some African railways would be interested in rebuilding there fleet of Clydes. Although, the reliability of 645 prime movers seem to be more suited to African railway needs.

[@samftr]

Think some of the old Queensland rail locos went to SA mate

[@JamesHunterPhotos]

Hey Kyle! Enjoyed the video! If you can, can you please link where that spot at Laidley is? I can’t seem to find exactly where it is.

[@kylegleeson8638]

You drive to the centre of town then follow the railway east and go down a dirt road

[@lamejokesman420]

I wanna see this one to the end of the line

[@derekrowanphotograpics]

The 27’s & 29’s horn sounds awful 😣 Whoever the pre-grad said to change out the traditional 2400 series Westinghouse horns needs to be … Sounds like sick goose 🪿

[@kylegleeson8638]

I too much prefer Westinghouse A+Bs, from their standpoint these horns can be heard from a farther distance

[@blackflagqwerty]

Sounds like a 710G3A

[@kylegleeson8638]

Good guess, the 27s have a 8-710G3A. It has been a rather unreliable engine. I suppose thats what happens when you leave an engine sitting for a year

[@glennwright2857]

@@kylegleeson8638 Nothing wrong with the twenty seven hundred class 710 motors. Problems are programming issues.

[@kylegleeson8638]

@@glennwright2857 ​ That's interesting, and its still taking Progress over two years to sort out the computers? I'm unaware of your position, but from my sources, the simple description they gave me on the 27's is they are considered "Hot Garbage". I think this is a sign that I need to diversify who or where I get my information and/or opinions from

[@interceptor7905]

2703 is paired with 2702 now because 2701 had a trouble with traction motors.

[@kylegleeson8638]

So that is what's currently running? These locos don't seem to be having much luck...

[@interceptor7905]

@@kylegleeson8638 Lot of things going on in the background bruh

[@kylegleeson8638]

That's true

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

Great stuff Kyle. Really interesting to see a video that explains the workings. 👍 Can I ask which video camera you use? 🤔

[@kylegleeson8638]

Glad you enjoyed the video! I use the Sony FDR AX53. Its a good camcorder. I wish that there was more manual control to it as you can only manually control one setting. The one I control is the shutter speed.

[@FromtheWindowSeat]

@@kylegleeson8638 Good to know. Thanks!

[@lukeroberts2610]

For someone who knows nothing about the loco, why are they called Super clydes, are they twice as strong as regular clydes?

[@kylegleeson8638]

They feature an eight cylinder 710 prime mover which has a larger bore size than the 645 series Clydes. Effectively the bigger bore allows for higher efficiency. They are also fitted with heavier traction motors. Ideally it is a Clyde body with relatively modern features, hence the nickname Super Clyde

[@trevormaxwell3480]

how much power do these new locomotives have really

[@kylegleeson8638]

Relatively close to a 2300D. around 2100hp. I can't confirm as the fine details of locos have been kept secret

[@lamejokesman420]

How do you know all this info and where their heading etc

[@kylegleeson8638]

Half being in contact with people in the industry and visual observations. This service ran for five days, I did a fair bit of driving!

[@lamejokesman420]

@@kylegleeson8638 I really wish could of seen it get to Brisbane I see these pass my house daily. Very cool video mate

[@kylegleeson8638]

​@@lamejokesman420 They have been running recently from what I heard, with New Acland finalising it's stockpile we might not see them until they are accredited past Jondaryan. It is stupid as it is based off a Chasis that has been used for 50 years. The one that Qube owns had to undergo trials.

[@1960bobthebuilder]

I noticed a female driver towards the end of the video. Do women drivers have the use of a toilet on this class of locomotive.? At idle, they sound like a 1720 class. Dash 3 as opposed to dash 2 engine control. Are there still modules on the back wall of the driver's cab?

[@kylegleeson8638]

The toilet is located between the prime mover and Radiator. FItted with independant axle control by NRE which has been classed as dash 4 electronics in the US. not sure as to that the fine details of this loco has been kept a secret, despite three years of development

[@1960bobthebuilder]

@@kylegleeson8638 Cool. Fewer cylinders means room for a toilet.

[@kylegleeson8638]

@@1960bobthebuilder It'd be toasty in there, alright in winter, not too sure about summer!

[@philm8329]

Hey Kyle do you know how to get into Yarongmulu its awesome there working hard in full throttle you hear him for 2 minutes or so before you see the coalie.

[@kylegleeson8638]

Yes it's just east of Laidley. Not a bad spot. I took a friend there early last year

[@philm8329]

@@kylegleeson8638 I am pretty lucky I have a 4WD Triton ute i stand up in the back of it to get over the fence there she is a awesome spot for up loaded coalies in full throttle

[@lachlancampbell3058]

@@philm8329 not ment to be since it's rail corridor

[@philm8329]

@@lachlancampbell3058 what do you mean Lachlan.

[@lachlancampbell3058]

@@philm8329 I know I lot of people that work on the rail corridor here and don't like people their because the tunnel just head and also they don't vandlism

[@lamejokesman420]

I guess the real question is I'm after is can these be freighthoped inner state or stop to stop I would love to get shots if scenery that's unseen

[@kylegleeson8638]

Only on West Moreton Coal currently, Qube logistics have leased one under the PRA classification for use on the Mount Isa Mine in North West Queensland

[@lamejokesman420]

@@kylegleeson8638 so they are rideable

[@kylegleeson8638]

No... I completely misread your comment, with the amount of anti coal protesters I wouldn't even think about riding trains, I'm even paranoid when filming. If you would like to see the scenery book a ticket on the Westlander heading East. It leaves Toowoomba in the morning, taking two hours to get down the range. The Westie isn't a premiere train so it is affordable

[@lamejokesman420]

@@kylegleeson8638 what do you mean anti coal protesters do they stop the train? Man there has to be a way. I get you can ride that train down the range but it's not the same 😞

[@lamejokesman420]

@@kylegleeson8638 do you know much about the pasfic national? Freight liner ?

[@Skyvation643]

Soz totally photobombed it 🤣

[@kylegleeson8638]

you could have come on our side ;)

[@EAFSQ9]

Geezus that horn sounds wack I wouldn't they have put something like the K5UL-AU-LS on it that's specifically designed for low-clearance on Australian railways. Bloody Aurizon.

[@kylegleeson8638]

Its music to Management's ears

[@steverob7637]

@@kylegleeson8638 At least 2300s don't sound "too" bad!

[@kylegleeson8638]

@@steverob7637 They have Kockum Sonics MKT-75s. Same horn as the NRs and 2800s

[@Heino5010]

pog

[@kylegleeson8638]

very

[@jackcapewell4373]

Not a big fan of the 2700's they just don't sound as good as the older ones

[@kylegleeson8638]

Will agree with you on that one

[@fabeiontatum205]

I do no drive a train

[@trevormaxwell3480]

l don't like horn's not like they used to be

[@kylegleeson8638]

Nah me either. They aren't our locos we cant do anything about it, except make fun of them! ;)