In March 1998, Queensland Rail ordered 38 GT42CU ACs from Clyde Engineering.

[1] They were the first locomotives ordered from Clyde Engineering after its takeover by Evans Deakin Industries and were built at the latter's Maryborough factory.

The dramatic increase in tractive effort and adhesion of the AC traction motors compared to the previous DC traction locos exceeded all expectations and revolutionised diesel operations in Queensland.

[4][5] They are primarily used on the Blackwater and Moura coal networks, and on phosphate trains between Mount Isa and Townsville.

[6] In February 2004, Pacific National ordered 13 GT42CU ACs to commence operations in Queensland.