In June 1989, Australian National awarded a contract for 14 Dash 8 locomotives to A Goninan & Co[1] with the first delivered in July 1990.

They were ordered for use on passenger and fast freight services and geared for a top speed of 140 km/h.

[3][4] They regularly hauled The Ghan and Indian Pacific until replaced by CLP class locomotives in 1994.

[7] All were overhauled by A Goninan & Co, Bassendean, during which they were re-geared, reducing their top speed to 125 km/h, but resulting in their tractive effort increasing by 19%.

[3][8] All have been repainted into Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia's yellow, blue and silver livery and named after famous Australian racehorses.