The DL class (built by Clyde under license from GM) were originally built for Australian National for general work including Passenger duties (such as hauling the Indian Pacific) and Trans-continental freights.

In the late 90s these locomotives were handed over to National Rail. Due to the vibrations from the engine, the cabs were quite noisy and as such these locomotive found there way on more menial tasks such as banking trains through the Adelaide Hills and the Dunmore Stone Train. They also act as slave units on trains between Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

However in 2004, the DLs (now operated by Pacific National) were assigned to Melbourne to Brisbane Superfreighters as second units behind the usual NRs, to provide extra power on some of the more ruling grades between Taree and Acacia Ridge and further south in the Junee to Cootamundra area. The GM Turbocharged whine makes a nice change to the NRs roaring up the Border Ranges.