WAGR M class (diesel)

The M/MA class are a class of diesel-hydraulic locomotives built by Walkers Limited, Maryborough for the Western Australian Government Railways in 1972–1973.

History
Walkers Limited had previously supplied similar locomotives to the Emu Bay Railway (as the 11 class), Queensland Railways (as the DH class) and the New South Wales Government Railways (as the 73 class).

Two M Class were purchased for hump shunting at Forrestfield Yard in 1972. They were fitted with cab signalling for this purpose. In 1973 a further three were purchased which were designated the MA class. These differed in having Caterpillar engines, were much lighter, could operate in multiple with each other and did not have cab signalling.

In January 1994, four were written off and sold to CSR in Queensland. M1851 was heavily rebuilt and converted to 610mm gauge by Walkers in 1996. It is currently in operation with Wilmar Sugar as DL28 "Jourama". M1852 was rebuilt similarly in 1997 and is in operation as DL29 "Cairns". MA1861 and MA1863 are currently stored in Queensland and are used for parts. MA1862 remained in service with Westrail, and later Transperth as the Claisebrook Depot shunter until 2014. In 2015, it was sold to the Hotham Valley Railway.