The Victorian Railways F class was originally a class of 2-4-0 light line passenger locomotives operated by the Victorian Railways between 1874 and 1929.
The pattern engine was constructed by Beyer, Peacock & Company in 1874. An order for 20 more locomotives of this design was placed 2 years later with the Phoenix Foundry in Ballarat, with 10 built in 1876–77 and a further 10 in 1879–80. They were originally supplied with four-wheeled tenders, but were eventually provided with larger six-wheeled ones which increased their water capacity to 1,710 imp gal (7,800 L; 2,050 US gal).[3]
Regular service
In early life they were mainly used on the main lines radiating form Ballarat and Ararat. By 1894, 3 were allotted to Geelong, 5 to Ararat, 3 to Ballarat, 2 to Seymour, 2 to Benalla, 2 to Princes Bridge, and 4 to Sale.[3]
Design improvements
All were reboilered between 1902-12, along with the T class, to a new common, larger boiler type.[3]
2-4-2T motors
In 1910-11, the Victorian Railways decided to convert seven of them into "motor" locomotives for use in outer suburban areas. The tenders were removed and they became 2-4-2 tanks. They kept their numbers 172–184 (evens only).
Accidents
10 November 1878 - F98 ran through the end on the engine shed at Dunolly[3]
26 July 1881 - F98 collided with H160 at Beaufort[3]
11 March 1897 - F172 derailed at Cannon Hill near Warrnambool[3]
Withdrawal
The un-rebuilt tender engines were taken off register between 1916 and 1924, and the "motors" were taken off between 1920 and 1929. F184 was sold to Earlston, Cranbourne for £750[3]. One of the 2-4-2T class survives, number 176, having been sold to the Sunshine Harvester Works in 1920 for £1500,[3] where was used as a shunter until 1961. It was then donated to the Newport Railway Museum, and is the oldest surviving Victorian Railway locomotive, having been built in 1880.
Victorian Preserved Steam Locomotives detailed information about all surviving ex-VR steam locos.
Diagram of 2-4-0 F class locomotive
Diagram of 2-4-2T F class locomotive
Picture of F 172
Pattern engine 98
F 182
References
Dee; et al. (1981). Power Parade. Melbourne: VicRail Public Relations Division. ISBN 0-7241-3323-2.
Cave, Norman; Buckland, John; Beardsell, David (2002). Steam Locomotives of the Victorian Railways. Vol. 1: The First Fifty Years. Melbourne, Vic: ARHS Victoria Division. pp. 65, 70–72, 75–77, 170–173. ISBN 1876677384.
Specific
^ abcVictorian Railways Rolling Stock Branch: Diagrams & Particulars of Locomotives, Cars, Vans & Trucks (1904 ed.). Vic: Victorian Railways. 1904. p. 3.
^ abcVictorian Railways Rolling Stock Branch: Diagrams & Particulars of Locomotives, Cars, Vans & Trucks (1914 ed.). Vic: Victorian Railways. 1914. p. 3.