In 1955, Clyde Engineering demonstrated an Electro-Motive DieselG12 locomotive to Queensland Railways who purchased it along with two other demonstrators under construction, and also placed an order for a further 10. The first three were initially numbered 1230-1232, before being reclassified as the 1400 class.[1] When built, they were tested on standard gauge with Bo-Bo bogies, and received their A1A-A1A bogies upon arrival in Queensland. The demonstrators differ from the production series in placement of the number boxes and marker lights on the ends of the unit.