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Clyde Engineering

From Canetrains

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.

Rollingstock

Name Builder Model Serial Year Purchasing Mill Current Mill Notes
Habana Clyde DHI-71 60-215 1960 Pleystowe Mill Out of service Transferred to Mossman in 2003. Sold to South Johnstone after Mossman closure, where it operated before subsequently being sold into preservation (Jan 2026).
Marian Clyde DHI-71 56-104 1956 Marian Mill Out of service Transferred to Mossman in 2003. Stored at Mourilyan after Mossman closure; scrapped by Jan 2026.
13 / Hambledon Clyde HG-3R 64-316 1964 Hambledon Mill Mulgrave Mill Was Hambledon #3
14 Clyde DHI-71 56-86 1956 Hambledon Mill Out of service Ex Hambledon #4; dismantled by 2016.
15 Clyde DHI-71 58-190 1958 Hambledon Mill Out of service Dismantled by 1999; its cab was retained for possible reuse.
16 / Kamma Clyde DHI-71 56-96 1956 Hambledon Mill Mulgrave Mill Ex Hambledon #6; rebuilt by Mulgrave in 2016.
18 / Barron Clyde HG-3R 64-379 1964 Hambledon Mill Mulgrave Mill Ex Hambledon #8; rebuilt by Mulgrave in 2016.
19 / Redlynch Clyde HG-3R 65-435 1965 Hambledon Mill Mulgrave Mill Ex Hambledon #9; rebuilt by Mulgrave in 2012.
25 / Cucania Clyde DHI-71 63-289 1963 Moreton Central Mill Mulgrave Mill Was Moreton. Had received a new cab and top-end repaint by October 2023.
2 Clyde DHI-71 55-56 1955 Goondi Mill South Johnstone Mill Ex Goondi; later Mulgrave #23 Behana. Returned to South Johnstone and rebuilt in 2016.
3 Clyde DHI-71 56-90 1956 Goondi Mill South Johnstone Mill Ex Goondi; later Mulgrave #24 Pyramid. Returned to South Johnstone and rebuilt in 2016.
11 Clyde DHI-71 55-64 1955 Mourilyan Mill South Johnstone Mill
12 Clyde DHI-71 55-60 1955 Goondi Mill South Johnstone Mill Rebuilt by South Johnstone Mill in 2014.
13 Clyde DHI-71 59-203 1959 Mourilyan Mill Out of service Dismantled 2020.
14 Clyde DHI-71 63-288 1963 Mourilyan Mill South Johnstone Mill
15 Clyde DHI-71 66-491 1966 Mourilyan Mill South Johnstone Mill
16 Clyde DHI-71 56-93 1956 Goondi Mill South Johnstone Mill Fitted for multiple operation.
17 Clyde DHI-71 55-57 1955 Goondi Mill South Johnstone Mill Fitted for multiple operation.
18 Clyde DHI-71 56-83 1956 Mourilyan Mill South Johnstone Mill Stored as of May 2024.
No. 9 Clyde DHI DHI.4 1954 Tully Mill Out of service Converted in 1989 to a six-wheel brake wagon using the locomotive frame; recorded stored out of use at Tully in August 2023.
11 Clyde HG-3R 65-383 1965 Macknade Mill Out of service Macknade Mill #11. Reported for transfer to Proserpine Mill in October 2019. Subsequently recorded stored at Pioneer Mill; by 19 June 2021 it had been moved to Victoria Mill. Later disposition not established.
12 Clyde HG-3R 65-434 1965 Macknade Mill Macknade Mill
16 Clyde DHI DHI.1 1954 Hambledon Mill Macknade Mill Confirmed at Macknade
18 Clyde DHI-71 DHI.5 1954 Hambledon MIll Out of service Disused at Macknade by 2012; final-drive gearing components were removed for use in #16. Subsequently remained at Macknade.
Iona Clyde DHI-71 DHI.2 1954 Inkerman Mill Out of service Ex Inkerman Mill IONA. Transferred to Macknade in 1992 for spare parts and subsequently dismantled.
Centenary Clyde HG-3R 64-381 1964 Victoria Mill Victoria Mill Usually used as empty yard loco
Ingham Clyde HG-3R 64-382 1964 Victoria Mill Victoria Mill Active as of October 2023
Canberra Clyde HG-3R 65-433 1965 Victoria Mill Proserpine Mill Now #5 - 06/07/22
6 Lucinda Clyde HG-3R 65-436 1965 Victoria Mill Proserpine Mill Seen October 2023
Perth Clyde HG-3R 69-682 1969 Victoria Mill Victoria Mill Active as of 2025
Dalrymple Clyde Queensland HG-3R 70-709 1970 Plane Creek Mill Victoria Mill Usually used as full yard loco
D9 Clyde Queensland HG-3R 75-812 1975 Isis Central Mill Isis Central Mill Operational. Navvy duties
3 Clyde DHI-71 55-66 1955 Isis Central Mill Out of service To Fiji as FSC 28; last reported at Rarawai in 2011.
4 Clyde DHI-71 56-113 1956 Isis Central Mill Out of service To Fiji as FSC 27; last reported at Rarawai in 2011.
5 Clyde DHI-71 58-191 1958 Isis Central Mill Out of service To Fiji as FSC 21; last reported at Lautoka in 2011.
6 Clyde DHI-71 59-204 1959 Isis Central Mill Out of service To Fiji as FSC 22; last reported at Lautoka in 2010.
7 Clyde DHI-71 61-220 1961 Isis Central Mill Out of service To Fiji; reported derelict and burnt out at Lautoka in 2009.
8 Clyde DHI-71 64-385 1964 Isis Central Mill Out of service To Fiji as FSC 20; last reported at Labasa in 2007.
Margam Clyde DHI-71 57-159 1957 Millaquin Mill Labasa Mill
Damo Clyde DHI-71 65-441 1965 Millaquin Mill Labasa Mill Refurbished in Innisfail by IBS Engineering before shipping to Fiji. 2013
Te Kowai Clyde DHI-71 56-103 1956 Pleystowe Mill Racecourse Mill Available for service in the Mackay Sugar fleet as of April 2024.
Sunnyside Clyde DHI-71 57-160 1957 Racecourse Mill Racecourse Mill
Seaforth Clyde HG-3R 61-233 1961 Farleigh Mill Racecourse Mill
Victoria Plains Clyde HG-3R 66-490 1966 Pleystowe Mill Racecourse Mill
Broadsound Clyde DHI-71HS 70-710 1971 Racecourse Mill Racecourse Mill Fitted with hydrostatic drive. Converted to hydraulic.
Conningsby Clyde HG-3R 61-232 1961 Farleigh Mill Racecourse Mill Stored
Bassett Clyde HG-3R 67-596 1967 Farleigh Mill Racecourse Mill Stored
Munbura Clyde DHI-71 67-570 1967 Racecourse Mill Racecourse Mill
14 Alexandra Clyde HG-3R 61-235 1961 Marian Mill Marian Mill
Lacy Clyde HG-3R 65-439 1965 Marian Mill Marian Mill
Pleystowe Clyde HG-3R 64-321 1964 Pleystowe Mill Farleigh Mill
Palmyra Clyde HG-3R 63-273 1963 Pleystowe Mill Farleigh Mill
St. Helens Clyde HG-3R 61-234 1961 Farleigh Mill Farleigh Mill
Palms Clyde HG-3R 70-708 1970 Pleystowe Mill Farleigh Mill
13 Devereaux Clyde DHI-71 67-568 1967 Marian Mill Farleigh Mill Used on navvy/ballast duties in September 2023. Listed as stored in the Mackay Sugar fleet in April 2024.
12 Nellie Clyde DHI-71 58-188 1958 Marian Mill Out of service Stored at North Eton as of 2024.
Chelona Clyde DHI-7 59-201 1959 Racecourse Mill Out of service Stored at North Eton as of 2024.
52 Racecourse Clyde DHI-71 65-440 1965 Racecourse Mill Out of service Stored at North Eton as of 2024.
7 Clyde DHI-71 65-442 1965 Proserpine Mill Proserpine Mill
8 Clyde DHI-71 65-443 1965 Proserpine Mill Proserpine Mill Rebuilt 2014
3 Clyde DHI-71 58-195 1958 Proserpine Mill Out of service Stored as of April 2024.
5 Clyde DHI-71 60-218 1960 Proserpine Mill Out of service Stored as of April 2024.
Pioneer Clyde DHI-71 63-287 1963 Pioneer Mill Pioneer Mill
Airdale Clyde DHI-71 64-318 1964 Pioneer Mill Pioneer Mill
Colevale Clyde DHI-71 65-438 1965 Pioneer Mill Pioneer Mill
Maidavale Clyde DHI-71 62-266 1962 Pioneer Mill Out of service Retired from Pioneer Mill and donated by Wilmar Sugar to Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway; delivered to Herberton in May 2025 for commissioning and heritage use.
Kalamia Clyde HG-3R 67-569 1967 Plane Creek Mill Invicta Mill
55 Clyde DHI-71 DHI.6 1954 Fairymead Mill Out of service Ex Fairymead #55 Tantitha. Sold to Fiji Sugar Corporation in 2012; transferred from Lautoka to Labasa in 2014 as #17.
56 Clyde DHI-71 56-89 1956 Fairymead Mill Out of service Ex Fairymead #56 Hinkler. Sold to Fiji Sugar Corporation in 2012; based at Tavua on the Rarawai system in 2014.
60 Clyde DHI-71 60-219 1960 Fairymead Mill Out of service Ex Fairymead #60 Waimea. Sold to Fiji Sugar Corporation in 2012; based at Rarawai Mill in 2014.
1 Clyde DHI-71 56-101 1956 Plane Creek Mill Out of service Transferred from Plane Creek Mill to storage at Pioneer Mill by 8 June 2020.
2 Clyde DHI-71 57-147 1957 Plane Creek Mill Out of service Out of use by 1997; dismantled by 1999.
Homebush Clyde DHI-71 55-58 1955 Racecourse Mill Out of service Stored in the Mackay Sugar fleet (2024).
Rosella Clyde DHI-71 64-317 1964 Racecourse Mill Out of service Stored in the Mackay Sugar fleet (2024).
1 Clyde DHI-71 DHI.7 1954 Proserpine Mill Out of service Acquired by Gympie Mining Museum in October 2003 and subsequently recorded preserved there.
2 Clyde DHI-71 56-91 1956 Proserpine Mill Out of service Rebuilt by Ontrak in 2009 for Fiji Sugar Corporation as OSCAR (2434-2); transferred to Lautoka in 2014 as #15. Later disposition not established.
4 Clyde DHI-71 59-202 1959 Proserpine Mill Out of service Rebuilt by Ontrak in 2008 for Fiji Sugar Corporation as HOWIE (2434-1); recorded operating on the Lautoka system in 2010 and as #23 in 2014.
6 Clyde DHI-71 62-272 1962 Proserpine Mill Out of service Out of service for several years; useful components removed and locomotive taken away for scrap in February 2018.
McDesme Clyde DHI-71 DHI.3 1954 Pioneer Mill Out of service Former Pioneer Mill locomotive. Later preserved by Mackay Heritage Railway; transferred to Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway in 2022, where restoration was completed and it was renamed WILLIAM BROWN.
(Blank) Clyde 2-2wPMR Macknade Mill Out of service Listed at Macknade Mill in the 1978 Australian Sugar Industry Locomotives amendments as a 2-2wPMR built by Clyde Engineering (Qld) (ClydeQ). No maker's number or construction date is given in that source; later disposition not established.

Sources

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