(VR) T-CLASS Review (ARMP-0145)

Product No. ARMP-0145

Title: (VR) T CLASS Review
Author(s): Bray, Michael 
Publisher: Railmac Publication 

ISBN: 186477021X

Condition: NEW
Binding: Softcover 
Dust Jacket: None
Edition: 1st Edition 
Publication Year: 2001

Features: 32 Pages with Black/White Photos.

- The Victorian Railways T class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville for the Victorian Railways between August 1955 and November 1968. They were the most ubiquitous class of diesel locomotives in the state. In July 1954 the Victorian Railways placed an order with Clyde Engineering for 25 (later extended to 27) diesel electric locomotives of their G8 type (based on the EMD GP-7/GP-9 general-purpose locomotive that was a massive sales success in the USA at the time) to partially diesalise 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.[5] 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 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.