The 421 class purchased by QR National/Interail from Northern Rivers Railroad were originally purchased by SRA in 1965 from Clyde Engineering, Granville. The locos were built with dual-cabs (one streamline, one flat cab). The locos were unpopular with crews though, because of their rough handling.
The 421s were initially employed on various duties in NSW including RIC Works trains, Soybean and Flyash trains and also the Ritz Rail. However with the collapse of Ritz Rail and the Murwillumbah branch closing, the 421s have found themselves back in the Hunter Valley working Coal Trains out of Newstan and Duralie. Along with providing assistance on QRNational’s MB/BM7 trains. It seems these old workhorses have a few years left in them. Fortunately the livery the locos wear will be retained (the NRR livery is one of the most popular in Australia).
The Interail 421s are based out of Casino, NSW.