After the war, ASGs operated in South Australia and at the Fyansford Cement Works railway in Victoria.

Ellis recommended that three variations of Garratt locomotive be purchased; heavy, medium and light.

[1] The CLTB elected to build only the light type to allow it to operate on any narrow gauge line in Australia.

After an attempt to obtain drawings and licences from Beyer, Peacock and Company failed, in July 1942 the CLTB recommended to the War Cabinet that 30 locomotives be built locally.

The Queensland Railways were vocal opponents, stating its preference for a modified version of its C17 class.

Some were resold for use on the Emu Bay and Fyansford Cement Works Railways where they would have more successful careers.

They were unpopular with crews, and their use through the state's only tunnel at Swan View caused serious problems, resulting in deaths, industrial disputes,[8] and a Royal Commission.

[3][4][10] In 1952, the South Australian Railways purchased six second-hand from the WAGR to haul lead ore between Cockburn and Port Pirie as an interim solution pending the delivery of the 400 class Garratts, with all condemned by February 1956.