Two Old Campaigners Versus New Comers - Watco Operations On The South West

Two Old Campaigners Versus New Comers is an insight into some of the grain train operations between Toowoomba and Goondiwindi, operated by Watco Australia. The trains transport grain from a number of sites along what was long known as the Dirranbandi line. These days, Thallon is the terminus point along this line.

The production has been created using multi camera set ups at various locations in order to capture different angles and perspectives of both the trains and the locations.

Watco Australia's Queensland Operation has a mix of motive power.

The WRB Class were formerly Queensland Rail 2170 Class locomotives that were first introduced in 1982. These locomotives were designed for coal operations but some moved into general freight operations as the years
passed.

After nearly 30 years of service with Queensland Rail, the 2170s were passed to the privatised Aurizon after 2010.

The widespread disposal of locomotives built during the 1970s and 1980s gained traction in the period between 2012 to 2015, and some 2170's were sold to a South African operator, Transnet Freight Rail.

Watco Australia Queensland's operation was looking for reserve, and ultimately additional power for trains it was looking to operate for grain haulage contracts. Transnet Freight Rail, the South African operator, found some former QR locomotives to be surplus.

Come 2019, and five former 2170 Class locomotives were returned to the home rails of Queensland. Watco reclassified these locos the WRB Class and reassigned the original QR class numbers to join to the WRB designation.

Watco's Old Campaigners, now WRB Class, continue to put in the miles operating in various parts of the state hauling trains of grain, and somewhat uniquely, livestock by transporting cattle to various meatworks. The Old
Campaigners still have many miles to run in the future.

The content was captured during 2021.

Produced and Directed by Mike Condon.

Copyright Express Train Video - Australia, 2025.