Victorian Railways T class (diesel)

Victorian Railways T class
Flat top T413 at Newport Workshops in March 2007
Type and origin Power type Diesel-electric Builder Clyde Engineering Granville Model Electro-Motive Diesel G8 Build date 1955-1968 Total produced 94
Specifications Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge, 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) Fuel type Diesel Prime mover Electro-Motive Diesel 567: T320-T398, T413 Electro-Motive Diesel 645: T399-T412
Performance figures Maximum speed 100 km/h (62 mph)
Career Operators Victorian Railways Number in class 94 Numbers T320-T413 Delivered 2 August 1955 Preserved T320, T333, T334, T341, T342, T356, T357, T364, T367, T375, T378, T382, T395, T411, T413 Current owner CFCL Australia Pacific National Qube Logistics SCT Logistics Southern Shorthaul Railroad Disposition 33 in service, 13 preserved, 4 non-rail use, 10 stored, 34 scrapped

The T class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville for the Victorian Railways between 1955 and 1968.

In July 1954 the Victorian Railways placed an order with Clyde Engineering for 25 (later extended to 27) diesel electric Electro-Motive Diesel G8 locomotives to partially dieselise country branch lines.

In June 1959 the first of an additional ten entered service. Although mechanically similar to the first batch they differed by having a cab raised above the hood line. A further ten entered service from December 1961.

In September 1965 the first of an order for 32 was delivered. These differed by having a lower nose. A final order for 19 was delivered from April 1967. The last five were built with an extra 10 tonnes (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons) of ballast weight for improved adhesion and low speed controls for use as shunting locomotives in Melbourne. These were reclassified as the H class shortly after being delivered.

In July 1969 an additional flat top unit was purchased second hand from Australian Portland Cement who had ordered it for use at its narrow gauge Fyansford Cement Works Railway, Geelong in 1956. Although outwardly similar to the original T class units it was fitted with dynamic brakes, and became a regular on the steeply graded Cudgewa line.

Although ordered as branch line locomotives, as branch lines began to close they were often used on main line services.

In 1984/85 Martin & King, Somerton rebuilt 13 flat tops as P class locomotives. This 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.