Victorian Railways H class
Pacific National H1 at Kensington in June 2012
Type and origin
Power typeDiesel-electric
BuilderClyde Engineering, Granville
ModelEMD G18B
Build date1968–1969
Total produced5
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICBo-Bo
Gauge1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in)
Length12.4 m (40 ft 8 in)
Fuel typeDiesel
Prime moverEMD 8-645E
GeneratorEMD D25E
Traction motorsEMD D29
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph)
Power output820 kW (1,100 hp)
Career
OperatorsVictorian Railways
Number in class5
NumbersH1–H5
Current ownerPacific National
Disposition2 preserved, 2 stored, 1 scrapped

The H class are a class of diesel locomotives built by Clyde Engineering, Granville for the Victorian Railways in 1968–1969.

History

The H Class were built as T class locomotives with modifications for use at the Melbourne Hump Yard.[1] They were fitted additional equipment for their duties, including extra weight for traction, "manual power control" to allow low speed operation, and an accurate low speed speedometer.

The H class were delivered as T413 to T417, but were reclassified before entering service. The class rarely left Melbourne due to their excessive weight, until being approved to operate on the same lines as the N class in January 1987.[1] All were included in the sale of V/Line Freight to Freight Victoria in May 1999 and passed with the business to Pacific National in August 2004.[2][3][4]

Pacific National sold three of the H class to the Ettamogah Rail Hub in 2015. Two of those were on-sold to 707 Operations in 2018. H4 was scrapped in 2020, while H1 had had its long hood cladding removed and was stored in North Dynon between 2020 and April 2022, when it was transferred to the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre as part of a long-term restoration project.

Status table

Key: Withdrawn Preserved Converted Scrapped
Locomotive Delivered as Entered service Owner(s) Status
H1 T413 20 December 1968 VR (Built), VicRail (1976), V/Line (1983), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN(2004-2009), VicTrack Heritage (2009) Stored at Seymour with the engine cladding removed and the engine partially tarped over.
H2 T414 7 January 1969 VR (Built), VicRail (1976), V/Line (1983), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN (2004), Ettamogah Rail Hub (2015) Stored – Seymour.
H3 T415 7 February 1969 VR (Built), VicRail (1976), V/Line (1983), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN (2004), Ettamogah Rail Hub (2015), 707 Operations (2018) Preserved – Operational. On long-term lease to 707 Operations. Unable to lead due its lack of an ICE radio.
H4 T416 24 February 1969 VR (Built), VicRail (1976), V/Line (1983), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN (2004-Jan 2020) Scrapped North Geelong.
H5 T417 14 March 1969 VR (Built), VicRail (1976), V/Line (1983), FV/FA (1999/2000), PN (2004), Ettamogah Rail Hub (2015), 707 Operations (2017) Preserved – Operational. Long-term lease to 707 Operations. Has an ICE radio and leads often.

References

  1. 1 2 Railmac Publications (1992). Australian Fleetbooks: V/Line locomotives. Kitchner Press. ISBN 0-949817-76-7.
  2. ↑ H Class diesel electric locomotives Mark Bau's VR website
  3. ↑ H Class (Vic, Diesel-Electric) Railpage
  4. ↑ H Class Vicsig
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