The GM class are a form of Australian diesel electric locomotive ordered by the Commonwealth Railways from 1951 and built by Clyde Engineering, Granville, New South Wales. These bulldog nosed locos hauled passenger as well as freight duties around Australia, and despite their age they are still used today. The class was the base for other similar designed locomotives built by Clyde Engineering such as the Victorian Railways S class and the NSWGR 42 class.

The class can be grouped into 2 categories, the GM1 or F class (four motor, respectively No.GM1 to GM11) and the GM12 or S class (six motor, numbers GM12 to GM47). The first group entered services in 1951-52, while the second entered service from 1955-57 and 1962-67.

The class later passed to Australian National in 1978, with a number sold to Great Northern Rail Services in the 1990s. Today most units are owned by Genesee and Wyoming Australia, Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia and other private operators.

24 have been scrapped, a number stored or used for spares, while the rest are in service. GM36 is preserved by the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre in the Commonwealth Railways livery, and is leased to commercial operators. Class leader GM1 is owned by the Commonwealth Government, in November 2009 expressions of interest were sought from parties with an interest and capability for the preservation of the locomotive.

Gallery

Image:SoP70s.jpg|Pair of GM classes hired to the Victorian Railways during the 1970s and hauling the Spirit of Progress

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