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Commonwealth Engineering

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Commonwealth Engineering (Com-Eng) was a major Australian engineering firm that designed and built railway rolling stock. While best known for their work on standard and broad gauge passenger stock for state railways, they produced a significant number of diesel locomotives for the Queensland sugar industry during the transition from steam to internal combustion power in the 1950s and 1960s.

History

Com-Eng entered the sugar cane locomotive market in the mid-1950s. Their locomotives were manufactured at their Rocklea works in Brisbane, Queensland. The company established a classification system to denote the various models they produced, initially using a single letter code, and later a two-letter code where the first letter indicated the general type and the second indicated engine or transmission variations.

The company ceased production of cane locomotives as the market saturated and other builders like E.M. Baldwin and Clyde Engineering became dominant in the heavier horsepower categories.

Models and Classification

The Com-Eng classification system for sugar industry locomotives is as follows:

  • Type A: 0-6-0 Diesel Mechanical or Diesel Hydraulic. These were typically 14 to 18 tonnes with power output ranging from 150 to 205 hp.
  • Type C: 0-4-0 Diesel Hydraulic. A lighter shunting unit weighing 9 to 12 tonnes with approximately 112 hp.
  • Type F: 0-6-0 Diesel Hydraulic. A heavier unit for the time, weighing 19 to 25 tonnes with 250 to 277 hp.
  • Type G: 4-wheel Diesel Mechanical. Very small units weighing 4 to 8 tonnes with 76 hp.
  • Type N: B-B Diesel Hydraulic.

Production Notes

Until 1959 (up to serial number 35), classification was by the initial letter only. Later, a more complex scheme was introduced, and these codes were often applied retrospectively. The numbering system typically used the first two digits to denote the variant code (starting from 10) and the final digits as the serial number.

Significant Allocations

Com-Eng locomotives were found at mills right across the state, from the Southern districts to the Far North. Notable examples include the fleets at South Johnstone Mill and Mulgrave Mill, where they served as the backbone of the diesel fleet before the introduction of larger bogie locomotives.

Rollingstock

Name Builder Model Serial Year Purchasing Mill Current Mill Notes
Mossman Commonwealth Engineering AA B1719 1957 Mossman Central Mill Out of service Preserved at Australian Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Society, Woodford (Jan 2026).
Cook Commonwealth Engineering AL AL3372 1964 Mossman Central Mill Out of service Sold to South Johnstone after Mossman closure; stored at Mourilyan (Jan 2026).
Ivy Commonwealth Engineering AL AL4181 1965 Mossman Central Mill Out of service Sold to South Johnstone after Mossman closure; stored at Mourilyan (Jan 2026).
Douglas Commonwealth Engineering AL AL2562 1963 Mossman Central Mill Out of service Sold to an unidentified private owner in Victoria after Mossman closure (Jan 2026).
Faugh-a-Balugh Commonwealth Engineering AL AL4190 1965 Mossman Central Mill Out of service Sold to an unidentified private owner in Victoria after Mossman closure (Jan 2026).
Cattle Creek Commonwealth Engineering AA B1724 1957 Cattle Creek Central Mill Out of service Transferred to Mossman for parts in 2003. Sold to South Johnstone after Mossman closure; stored at Mourilyan and scrapped by Jan 2026.
3 Commonwealth Engineering AA A1003 1955 Mulgrave Mill Out of service Retired 2018; dismantled 2019.
5 Commonwealth Engineering AA A1005 1955 Mulgrave Mill Mulgrave Mill Listed as available for service in May 2024. Seen shunting equipment in the locomotive yard 25 July 2024.
6 Commonwealth Engineering AA A1006 1955 Mulgrave Mill Mulgrave Mill Stored as of May 2024.
7 / Highleigh Commonwealth Engineering AA B1010 1956 Mulgrave Mill Mulgrave Mill
8 / Charringa Commonwealth Engineering AE A1926 1958 Mulgrave Mill Mulgrave Mill
9 / Meerawa Commonwealth Engineering FC FC3473 1964 Mulgrave Mill Mulgrave Mill
1 / Josephine Commonwealth Engineering AA A1821 1957 Babinda Central Mill South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
10 / Russell Commonwealth Engineering AA A2027 1958 Babinda Central Mill South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
6 / Allison Commonwealth Engineering AB C2234 1959 Babinda Central Mill South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
4 Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1138 1960 Babinda Central Mill South Johnstone Mill Was Harvey at Babinda. Rebuilt by IBS Engineering Supplies in 2015 and fitted for multiple operation.
7 / Morrison Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1239 1960 Babinda Central Mill South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
5 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH2460 1962 Babinda Central Mill South Johnstone Mill Was Bramston at Babinda. Rebuilt by IBS Engineering Supplies in 2015 and fitted for multiple operation.
9 / Bartle-Frere Commonwealth Engineering AH AH3979 1964 Babinda Central Mill South Johnstone Mill Ex Babinda. Fitted for multiple operation.
8 / Miriwinni Commonwealth Engineering AA AA1543 1960 Mourilyan Mill South Johnstone Mill Ex Mourilyan #6; formerly Queensland Railways Innisfail Tramway DL16 Korabine. Converted from diesel-mechanical to diesel-hydraulic in 1983 and fitted for multiple operation in 1999.
7 Commonwealth Engineering AJ AJ2359 1962 Mourilyan Mill Lautoka Mill Last seen 2020
DL15 Nerada Commonwealth Engineering AA B1111 1956 Mourilyan Mill Out of service Ex Queensland Railways Innisfail Tramway DL15 Nerada. Transferred to Mourilyan in 1977; later Babinda #19. Dismantled at Babinda in December 2005; engine and gearbox sold to Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society.
26 / Meringa Commonwealth Engineering AK AK3675 1964 South Johnstone Mill Mulgrave Mill Was South Johnstone #2
12 / Riverstone Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1452 1961 South Johnstone Mill Mulgrave Mill Ex South Johnstone #23; rebuilt by Mulgrave in 2016.
27 Commonwealth Engineering AI AI57111 1975 South Johnstone Mill South Johnstone Mill Ex Queensland Railways DL20 Pin Gin. Generally used for navvy duties as of May 2024.
28 Commonwealth Engineering AA AA1544 1960 South Johnstone Mill Out of service Ex Queensland Railways Innisfail Tramway DL17 CURRAJAH. Dismantled in 2021.
31 Commonwealth Engineering AB C1125 1957 South Johnstone Mill Out of service Stored out of use at Babinda in 2006 awaiting rebuilding. By late 2006 it had been stripped of useful parts; the remains were placed near the locoshed and reported destined for a tourist resort. Later disposition not established.
36 Commonwealth Engineering AA A1102 1955 South Johnstone Mill Out of service Former South Johnstone #16; renumbered #36 after 2001. Stored out of use at Babinda in 2006, stripped of remaining useful parts and removed as scrap by late October 2006.
39 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH4688 1965 South Johnstone Mill South Johnstone Mill Paired with #38; rebuilt by South Johnstone in 2017.
38 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH4695 1965 South Johnstone Mill South Johnstone Mill Paired with #39; rebuilt by South Johnstone in 2017.
10 Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1341 1960 Tully Mill Tully Mill Navvy duties. 2025.
Tully 11 Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1347 1960 Tully Mill Tully Mill Paired with Tully 16. 2024
Tully 12 Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1351 1961 Tully Mill Out of service Stored out of use at Tully Mill as of August 2023.
Tully 14 Commonwealth Engineering AK AK2663 1963 Tully Mill Tully Mill Navvy duties. 2025
Tully 16 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH4484 1964 Tully Mill Tully Mill Paired with Tully 11. 2024.
Tully 17 Commonwealth Engineering AH AH52100 1966 Tully Mill Out of service Stored at Tully Mill (2025).
Tully 18 Commonwealth Engineering AO AO60113 1977 Tully Mill Tully Mill Navvy duties. 2025
2 Commonwealth Engineering AA A1001 1955 Mulgrave Mill Out of service Donated to Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway in 2017. Stripped to footplate level and being converted to 1067 mm gauge.
4 Commonwealth Engineering AA A1004 1955 Mulgrave Mill Out of service Dismantled by 2011.
Tully 15 Commonwealth Engineering AK AK3574 1964 Tully Mill Out of service Stored out of use at Tully Mill as of August 2023.
Dunethin Commonwealth Engineering AC H1022 1958 Moreton Central Mill Lautoka Mill Now #118. Transferred 2019.
DL14 Johnstone Commonwealth Engineering AA B1112 1956 Mourilyan Mill Out of service Ex Queensland Railways Innisfail Tramway DL14 JOHNSTONE; later Mourilyan #8 and Moreton YANDINA. Rebuilt by Moreton in 1994 as JAMAICA using mechanical equipment from Baguley JAMAICA 3389. Later privately preserved in Bundaberg.
Tegege Commonwealth Engineering FD FD4799 1966 Fairymead Mill Millaquin Mill
Thistle Commonwealth Engineering AA A1207 1955 Gin Gin Central Mill Out of service Out of use; stored at Bingera depot as of October 2025.
Invicta Commonwealth Engineering AA A1513 1956 Bingera Mill Millaquin Mill Listed as available for service in April 2024.
Sharon Commonwealth Engineering AE A1935 1959 Bingera Mill Out of service Out of use; stored at Bingera depot as of October 2025.
Wattle Commonwealth Engineering FD FD4789 1965 Bingera Mill Millaquin Mill Used as breakdown cover. Photographed hauling cane in October 2025.
Burnett Commonwealth Engineering AH AH2967 1963 Bingera Mill Out of service Stored out of use as of April 2024.
Eric. M. Plomley Commonwealth Engineering AD G1023 1958 Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal Lucinda Bulk Sugar Terminal Rebuilt 2017
Haughton Commonwealth Engineering AH AH3878 1964 Invicta Mill Invicta Mill
D4 Commonwealth Engineering FA FA1037 1960 Plane Creek Mill Plane Creek Mill
22 Pinnacle Commonwealth Engineering AN AN5849 1975 Marian Mill Racecourse Mill Rebuilt 1975 from ComEng, AA, AA1549
Eton Commonwealth Engineering FB FB3170 1963 North Eton Central Mill Farleigh Mill Navvy Duties
Septimus Commonwealth Engineering AE A2128 1958 North Eton Central Mill Out of service Decommissioned and moved into undercover storage at North Eton in 2012; still listed as stored in 2024.
Barcoo Commonwealth Engineering FB FB4383 1965 North Eton Central Mill Out of service Stored at North Eton as of 2024.
47 Pioneer Commonwealth Engineering AI AI2358 1962 Farleigh Mill Out of service Stored at North Eton; still listed as stored in 2024.
48 Carlisle Commonwealth Engineering AI AI3271 1963 Farleigh Mill Out of service Stored at North Eton as of 2020.
Richmond Commonwealth Engineering AA A1308 1955 Farleigh Mill Out of service Stored at North Eton as of 2024. Side rods and probably wheelsets were removed for use at Mossman in September 2012.
Finch Hatton Commonwealth Engineering NA NA59112 1977 Cattle Creek Central Mill Out of service Comeng model NA B-B diesel-hydraulic. Had not operated for over a decade and was stored at North Eton as of 2024.
Keebah Commonwealth Engineering AF C2231 1958 Inkerman Mill Inkerman Mill
Osborne Commonwealth Engineering AH AH2866 1963 Inkerman Mill Inkerman Mill
Koolkuna Commonwealth Engineering AM AM4993 1965 Inkerman Mill Inkerman Mill
Alma Commonwealth Engineering FE FE56110 1975 Inkerman Mill Out of service Out of use since 2002; engine removed in 2005. Gutted and de-wheeled, and still stored in the Inkerman mill yard in August 2020.
Delta Commonwealth Engineering FD FD5094 1965 Kalamia Mill Kalamia Mill
Barratta Commonwealth Engineering AD AH4098 1965 Invicta Mill Kalamia Mill
Northcote Commonwealth Engineering AH AH4091 1965 Invicta Mill Kalamia Mill
Chiverton Commonwealth Engineering AB C1030 1958 Kalamia Mill Kalamia Mill
Kalamia Commonwealth Engineering AA A1409 1955 Kalamia Mill Out of service Out of use for many years; gutted by August 2020 with hood, rods, some cranks and engine removed. Listed as stored at Kalamia in May 2024.
Inkerman Commonwealth Engineering FB FB3169 1963 North Eton Central Mill Pioneer Mill
D8 Commonwealth Engineering FC FC3777 1964 Plane Creek Mill Plane Creek Mill Transferred from Plane Creek on 9 December 2019 and stored at Pioneer Mill by June 2020. Listed again with the Plane Creek fleet as stored in 2024.
Selkirk Commonwealth Engineering AB C1015 1957 Invicta Mill Out of service Ex Kalamia NORHAM; later Invicta SCOTT. Converted from locomotive SCOTT to unpowered brake wagon SELKIRK about 1985.
Clare Commonwealth Engineering AH AH4080 1964 Invicta Mill Out of service Former Invicta #3 CLARE. Converted from 0-6-0DH locomotive to unpowered brake wagon in 1982.
17 / Deeral Commonwealth Engineering AD AD1453 1962 South Johnstone Mill Mulgrave Mill
72 Commonwealth Engineering GA GA1148 1961 Fairymead Mill Out of service Fairymead #72, formerly #7 and #71. Preserved; LRRSA recorded in private preservation, Melbourne VIC (2011).
3 Commonwealth Engineering FA FA1036 1959 Plane Creek Mill Out of service Out of use by 1997; dismantled by 1999.
7 Commonwealth Engineering FC FC3776 1964 Plane Creek Mill Plane Creek Mill In active service. Last seen 11/10/2026 in the Dawlish, Mackay area.
3 / Dalrymple Commonwealth Engineering AL AL4892 1965 Cattle Creek Central Mill Out of service Ex Cattle Creek DALRYMPLE. Transferred to Mackay Sugar in 1991 and later numbered 3. Stored at North Eton; disposed of for scrap by June 2012.
Ashburton Commonwealth Engineering AA A1614 1956 Farleigh Mill Out of service Dismantled in 1995; dismantled remains were still recorded at Farleigh in 2003.
Ivanhoe Commonwealth Engineering GA GA1042 1960 Kalamia Mill Out of service Acquired by Illawarra Light Railway Museum Society from Kalamia in 2006; restored and officially commissioned into service at Albion Park in November 2014.
Airdmillan Commonwealth Engineering AH AH3068 1963 Kalamia Mill Invicta Mill Listed as available for service in the Invicta fleet in May 2024.
Invicta Commonwealth Engineering CA CA1040 1960 Invicta Mill Out of service After later service primarily as a navvy locomotive, placed on permanent display at Invicta Mill in 2021 for the mill centenary; still listed on display in 2024.
Alex S. Hamilton Commonwealth Engineering F1018 1957 Mackay Bulk Sugar Terminal Out of service Commonwealth Engineering F1018 of 1957, named ALEX S HAMILTON after the Chairman of the Mackay Harbour Board. Delivered new to Mackay Bulk Sugar Terminal and used to shunt sugar-box wagons. Later disposition not established.
(Blank) Commonwealth Engineering F1029 1958 Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal Out of service 1067 mm gauge. In service at Townsville Bulk Sugar Terminal by 1978. Subsequently transferred to Mackay Bulk Sugar Terminal. Advertised for sale at Mackay Harbour in June 1998 with the terminal's QGR sugar-box equipment. Purchased by Southern Downs Steam Railway for $11,000 and delivered to Warwick on 10 May 1999.

Sources

  • Light Railway Research Society of Australia (LRRSA).
  • Notes on Locomotive Classification and Numbering (Historical Document).
  • Zelmer, L. (2004). Australian Canefield Locomotives.
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