In September 2010, CRRC Ziyang won a 100 million yuan order to supply SCT Logistics with six locomotives for use on transcontinental trains in Australia.

[1][2][3][4][5] Initial specifications for the locomotives (manufacturer's code SDA1) were for a 120 km/h (75 mph) dual cab, Co-Co locomotive, with a mass of 134 t (132 long tons; 148 short tons), powered by a MTU Friedrichshafen 20V4000R43L engine, with AC traction controlled by IGBT based converters (sourced from Zhuzhou CRRC Times Electric[6]), and a Wabtec braking system.

[7] Testing started in early 2012, which included hauling a large iron ore train at up to 130 km/h (81 mph) between Port Augusta and Adelaide.

The locomotives passed their introductory tests on 5 March 2012, allowing operations on mainline routes in Australia to commence.

[12] After a period of storage at East Greta, they were then moved to Broadmeadow yard to be used on Qube Logistics container trains from Sandgate to Port Botany with the 1100s.