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.
History
Classed 'F' in 1886.[3]
Production
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]
? - F142 in collision at Creswick[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.
Fleet summary
Key:
In Service
Preserved
Stored or Withdrawn
Scrapped
Locomotive
Builder No.
Entered service
Converted to 2-4-2T
Withdrawn
Scrapped
Status
Notes
F98
1267
June 1874
-
13 March 1919
Scrapped
[3]
F126
28
9 August 1876
-
7 August 1916
Scrapped
[3]
F128
30
16 October 1876
-
27 June 1916
Scrapped
[3]
F130
31
19 October 1876
-
7 June 1919
Scrapped
[3]
F132
33
10 January 1877
-
8 November 1916
Scrapped
[3]
F134
34
11 January 1877
-
24 January 1916
Scrapped
[3]
F136
35
1 February 1877
-
8 July 1922
Scrapped
[3]
F138
36
30 January 1877
-
24 June 1924
Scrapped
[3]
F140
37
6 February 1877
-
15 July 1922
Scrapped
[3]
F142
38
10 March 1877
-
10 June 1922
Scrapped
[3]
F144
39
27 March 1877
-
8 July 1922
Scrapped
[3]
F166
55
April 1879
-
15 July 1922
Scrapped
[3]
F168
56
June 1879
-
25 January 1917
Scrapped
[3]
F170
57
July 1879
-
24 January 1916
Scrapped
[3]
F172
58
November 1879
1910-11
7 November 1928
Scrapped
[3]
F174
59
December 1879
1910-11
30 November 1929
Scrapped
[3]
F176
61
January 1880
1910-11
28 May 1920
Sold to Sunshine Harvester Works. Donated to Museum. Display
[3]
F178
62
January 1880
1910-11
29 June 1926
Scrapped
[3]
F180
63
February 1880
1910-11
29 June 1926
Scrapped
[3]
F182
60
December 1879
1910-11
12 September 1925
Scrapped
[3]
F184
64
March 1880
1910-11
29 February 1926
Sold to Earlston, Cranbourne
[3]
F176 on display at Newport Railway Museum in 2022
External links
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.