Because the new line had been built to a heavier standard than existing Queensland Railways lines, the 2100 class weighed in at 97.5 tonnes (96.0 long tons; 107.5 short tons) fully laden, a six-tonne (5.9-long-ton; 6.6-short-ton) increase on that previously permissible.

[1] The first 10 were financed by the developers of the Goonyella Riverside Mine, with another two purchased by Queensland Rail.

On 19 May 1989, 2117 hauled train number #3371, the Capricornian headed north out of Roma Street Station.

The final diesel drawn Capricornian service on 30 June 1989 was hauled by 2117 on the overnight run to Rockhampton arriving on 1 July 1989.

In September 2001, ten were sold to Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a Bolivia, Chile, and one (2177) in August 2013 to South Africa.