D1 was purchased in 1953 and was the first of Mt Lyell Railway’s locomotive purchases since the 1930s, even making the newspapers in both Hobart and Launceston. It was used to minimise the distance travelled by the steam locomotives, meeting them at the railway’s mid-point and relieving them of their copper burden for the second leg to Strahan. The use of a diesel locomotive on this section significantly improved operation of the railway line and the load on the steam locomotives.
D1 was fully refurbished in 2023 with painting and pinstriping completed inhouse at our Carswell Park maintenance facility.
Our Heritage Diesel Engine D1 first arrived at the railway back in 1953, when she was purchased by the Mount Lyell Mining and Railway Company. This is where she stayed in operation until she was sold in 1962, the year before the line closed.