Clyde Engineering

Clyde Engineering was one of Australia's most prominent heavy engineering companies, based in Granville, New South Wales. They are perhaps most famous for manufacturing mainline diesel locomotives under licence from General Motors EMD. In the sugar industry, Clyde is renowned for producing a highly successful range of 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic locomotives that became the industry standard for two decades.

History

Clyde entered the sugar industry market in 1954. Between 1954 and 1975, the company built a total of 80 locomotives for Queensland sugar mills. Their production run can be divided into two distinct models: the DHI-71 and the HG-3R.

Clyde ceased production of cane field locomotives in 1975, with their final delivery being a unit for the Isis Central Mill. The reliability of these machines meant that many remained in service well into the 21st century, often re-engined or rebuilt.

Models

DHI-71 This was the initial model produced by Clyde. It was an 0-6-0 diesel-hydraulic design.

Power: 170 hp.
Weight: 18 tonnes.
Engine: General Motors (GM).
Production: 56 units were built.
Numbering: The first series were numbered 1 to 7. From 1955 onwards, numbering used a prefix denoting the year of manufacture followed by a serial number (e.g., 55-60).

HG-3R Introduced later as mills demanded higher power for longer hauls and heavier bins.

Power: 263 hp.
Weight: 18 to 24 tonnes.
Engine: General Motors (GM).
Production: 24 units were built.
First Delivery: The first three units were delivered to Farleigh Mill in 1961.

Significant Locomotives

Hambledon 1: The very first Clyde cane locomotive (a DHI-71) built in 1954. It later saw service at Macknade Mill.
Isis Central 9: The final cane locomotive built by Clyde, an HG-3R delivered in 1975.

Sources

Zelmer, L. (2004). Australian Canefield Locomotives.
Browning, J. & Mewes, D. (1978). Australian Sugar Industry Locomotives.