In 1988, Westrail placed an order for 15 CM25-8 Dash 8 locomotives for bulk grain and general freight haulage with A Goninan & Co.[1] A 16th was later ordered[2] followed by a 17th funded by AMC Mineral Sands.[3]
In 1997, the class was fitted with Locotrol equipment to allow them to operate in top and tail formation.[4]
All were included in the sale of Westrail to Australian Railroad Group in December 2000, with the class redesignated as the 2500 class.[5][6] In June 2006, all were included in the sale of Australian Railroad Group's Western Australian operation to QR National.[7] All 17 remain in service with Aurizon as at October 2014.[8]