V/Line P class
This article needs additional citations for verification. (January 2017) |
V/Line P class | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
|
The P class are a class of diesel locomotives rebuilt from T class locomotives by Clyde Engineering, Somerton for V/Line in 1984–1985.
History
[edit]The P class were rebuilt from 1950s T class locomotives by Clyde Engineering. The rebuild involved a new cab and carbody, replacing the EMD 8-567C engine with an EMD 8-645E, replacement of the main generator and traction motors, and provision of a separate head end power generator.
Only first-series T Class locomotives were suitable for upgrading because their frames were designed for EMD 12-567 engines, with only 2/3rds of the length used to cut down on weight (and allow a Bo-Bo, instead of A1A-A1A or Co-Co wheel arrangement). When rebuilt, the 8-645 engine took the place formerly occupied by the 8–567, and the remaining space was utilised for the head-end power unit.
Originally, all 13 of the class were in service with V/Line. However the freight and passenger rail divisions of V/Line were separated in 1997, and when the freight division was sold to Freight Australia in 1999 they acquired 5 of the class. In passenger usage, they were most commonly used in push-pull mode with H type carriages, but also operated as single locomotives if required. In freight service, the head end power was occasionally used for the powering of refrigerated containers.[1][2][3]
When first introduced, it was hoped to allow push-pull operations with one locomotive permanently allocated to a single three- or four-car H set, with a driving cab installed in the non-locomotive end of that set.[citation needed] This failed because while the Harris motor cabs were sufficient for 1950s standards of comfort and visibility, the conversion cost any application of the grandfather clause and so visibility of signals etc. was deemed insufficient.[citation needed]
By September 2017, all of V/Line's P class locomotives had been withdrawn from regular passenger service, having been replaced by the VLocity diesel multiple units. Though P12, P13, which had been converted to standard gauge, and P15 were retained and are stored at South Dynon as standby and for-hire locomotives.[4] In 2019, Southern Shorthaul Railroad acquired five P class locomotives from V/Line. Initially the acquired units remained in V/Line livery, but with the V/Line logos removed and replaced with the SSR logo. However all have since been repainted into the SSR Yellow and Black livery.[5]
Currently Ettamogah Rail Hub has stored four locomotives, and P20 has gone into preservation with 707 Operations, having been donated the locomotive by Pacific National in January 2024.
Status table
[edit]Locomotive | Pre-conversion | Entered service (T) | Re-entered service (P) | Owner(s) | Current livery | Current status | Gauge | Notes |
P11 | T336 | 9 May 1956 | 5 June 1984 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Passenger (1995), Southern Shorthaul Railroad (2019)[6] | V/Line Mk3 | In service, North Bendigo shunter | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | Ran the last V/Line Sunbury passenger and Leongatha freight trains |
P12 | T329 | 18 June 1956 | 7 June 1984 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Passenger (1995) | V/Line Mk3 | Stored Active | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | Ran 707ops charted with R707 & P15 26th November 23 |
P13 | T340 | 30 October 1956 | 10 July 1984 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Passenger (1995) | V/Line Mk2 | In service | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) standard gauge | V/Line Passenger Standard Gauge Shunter |
P14 | T330 | 2 July 1956 | 1 August 1984 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Passenger (1995), Southern Shorthaul Railroad (2019)[6] | SSR Yellow and Black | In service | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | |
P15 | T344 | 9 December 1956 | 22 October 1984 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Passenger (1995) | V/Line Mk3 | Stored Active | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | Ran 707ops Charter with R707 & P12 26 Dec 23 |
P16 | T332 | 22 July 1956 | 23 November 1984 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Passenger (1995), Southern Shorthaul Railroad (2019)[6] | SSR Yellow and Black | In service | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | |
P17 | T327 | 28 May 1956 | 19 December 1984 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Passenger (1995), Southern Shorthaul Railroad (2019)[6] | SSR Yellow and Black | In service | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | |
P18 | T339 | 7 October 1956 | 15 February 1985 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Passenger (1995), Southern Shorthaul Railroad (2019)[6] | SSR Yellow and Black | In service | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | Ran both the last V/Line Leongatha and Sunbury passenger trains. |
P19 | T331 | 2 July 1956 | 26 March 1985 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Freight (1995), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN (2004), Ettamogah Rail Hub (2015) | Freight Australia Green and Yellow with Pacific National Logos | Stored | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | |
P20 | T337 | 23 September 1956 | 29 May 1985 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Freight (1995), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN (2004), 707 Operations (2023) | V/Line Orange and Grey | Preserved – Operational | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | Noted as having revolving quartz halogen lights added at each end.[7][8] Donated to 707 Operations in 2023 and returned to service on September 14, 2024.[9][10] |
P21 | T338 | 23 September 1956 | 27 June 1985 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Freight (1995), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN (2004), Ettamogah Rail Hub (2015) | Freight Australia Green and Yellow with Pacific National Logos | Stored | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge | |
P22 | T328 | 18 June 1956 | 11 September 1985 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Freight (1995), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN (2004), Seymour Rail Heritage Centre (2015) Ettamogah Rail Hub (2024) | VR Blue and Gold | operational | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) standard gauge | |
P23 | T326 | 28 May 1956 | 11 September 1985 | V/Line (Rebuilt), V/Line Freight (1995), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN (2004), Seymour Rail Heritage Centre (2015) Ettamogah Rail Hub (2024) | VR Blue and Gold | operational | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) broad gauge |
References
[edit]- ^ "P class d/e locomotives". Victorian Railways. Archived from the original on 31 July 2008. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "P Class (VIC)". Railpage. 2 February 2014. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ "VICSIG". VICSIG. 19 April 2006. Archived from the original on 19 June 2004. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ Costanzo, Karl (September 2017). "V/Line Cab Committee Report" (PDF). LocoLines. No. 69. RTBU Victoria Locomotive Division. pp. 26–27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
- ^ "VICSIG". vicsig.net. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Weekly Operational Notice 14/2019, p. 33
- ^ Newsrail June 1991 p189
- ^ Newsrail August 1991 p262
- ^ "Locomotive P 20 update". Facebook.com/707operations. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "P 20 update". Facebook.com/707operations. Retrieved 15 September 2024.