Victorian Railways S class (diesel)

Victorian Railways S class

Preserved S303 at the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre in October 2007

Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering, Granville Model A7 (first order) A16C (second order) Build date 1957-1961 Total produced 18

Specifications UIC class Co-Co Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in), 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Length 18.72 metres (61 ft 5 in) Loco weight 116 tonnes (114 long tons; 128 short tons) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover Electro-Motive Diesel 16-567C Engine type V16 Generator Electro-Motive Diesel D12/D22 Traction motors Electro-Motive Diesel D27/D37/D47 Cylinders 16

Performance figures Maximum speed 133 km/h (83 mph) Power output 1,350 kW (1,810 hp)

Career Operators Victorian Railways Number in class 18 Numbers S300-S317 First run 1957 Preserved S303, S308, S310, S313 Current owner CFCL Australia Pacific National RailPower Southern Shorthaul Railroad Disposition 6 in service, 4 preserved, 2 stored, 6 scrapped

A7 (first order)

The S class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville for the Victorian Railways between 1957 and 1961.

The S class was based on the Electro-Motive Diesel F7 design and were very similar to the GM12 class then being built by Clyde Engineering for the Commonwealth Railways. They were mechanically similar to the 1952 built double ended B class.

The first order for 10 locomotives, were progressively delivered between August 1957 and February 1958. The first four took the names and numbers of the recently scrapped S class steam locomotives, with all being named after prominent Victorians. An additional eight locomotives were ordered for use on the new North East standard gauge line and delivered between November 1960 and December 1961.

The class were initially used on express passenger trains such as the Intercapital Daylight, Southern Aurora, Spirit of Progress and The Overland, but were also used on fast freights. On the broad gauge they often operated in pairs, while on the standard gauge they usually ran solo. A second 'hostlers' cab was provided at the number two end, but was only used around depots, or to haul empty carriages short distances.

In February 1969 two were destroyed in the Violet Town railway disaster, and were deemed uneconomical to repair and scrapped. In January 1967 S317 was badly damaged in a head-on collision with X33 south of Broadford Loop and was returned to Clyde Engineering for rebuilding. In June 1982 S317 was again involved in a fatal accident when it ran into the rear of the Spirit of Progress at Barnawartha, killing the crew.