Steamrail Victoria

Last updated

Steamrail Victoria
Formation1965
TypeVolunteer Organisation
PurposeRestoration & Operation of Heritage Rollingstock
Headquarters Newport Workshops
Coordinates 37°51′3″S144°52′48″E / 37.85083°S 144.88000°E / -37.85083; 144.88000
Website www.steamrail.com.au
2007 open day at the Steamrail Victoria depot: R 711 beside an L class electric locomotive and Swing Door suburban train R711 Steamrail Open Day 2007.jpg
2007 open day at the Steamrail Victoria depot: R 711 beside an L class electric locomotive and Swing Door suburban train

Steamrail Victoria is a not-for-profit volunteer group established in 1965 to restore and operate historic locomotives and rolling stock used on the railways in Victoria, Australia. [1] The main depot of the group is at the Newport Workshops ('West Block') in suburban Melbourne. In addition to operating railfan special trains and charters for private groups, the group also operates special steam trains in the Melbourne suburban area. [2] Steamrail regularly tours the state, including participation in annual events such as the Ballarat Heritage Weekend (steam locomotive Y112 is used to shuttle between Ballarat and Sulky Gully/Lal Lal). [3] Steamrail Victoria also leases diesel locomotives to freight operators such as Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) & Qube Logistics as required. Locomotives were also hired to El Zorro until they ceased trading. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

The group has custody of a number of Victorian Railways steam locomotives, including the R, D3 and K classes; in addition to several diesel electric locomotives, and various suburban electric rolling stock. [7] Heritage carriages include the wooden 'E' and 'W' types, steel air conditioned 'S' type carriages, and South Australian 'K' type steel stock.

Locomotives

Steam Locomotives

NumberImageYear builtBuilderStatusMax Speed km/h Metro NetworkMax Speed km/hNotes
A2 986 A2 986 at Nilma.jpg 1915 Newport Workshops Operational8080Re-entered service on 13 May 2017 after a 30-year restoration
D3 608 1908Stored9595Stored at Ballarat East
D3 638 1916
D3 639/658 D3 639 at Newport Workshops.jpg 1903OperationalRestored in 1984. Painted in the Victorian Railways Commissioner's Loco livery (black and red). Occasionally runs with its original number D3 658
D3 641 1915StoredStored at Ballarat East
D3 677 1917Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block).
D3 688 1912Stored at Ballarat East
K151 19408080Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block).
K153 A VLine trains passes a steam locomotive at Pakenham.jpg OperationalRestored in 1983. As of May 2023, it is running with K140's plates.
K183 Victorian Railways K class loco K183 at Patterson Station.jpg 1943Originally restored in 1992, suffered damage in a level crossing accident at Benalla in October 2002 and was stored at Newport Workshops East Block until June 30, 2020 when it was transferred to Steamrail's workshops. [8] After an assessment on the condition of the engine, Steamrail have decided to restore the locomotive to mainline operating standard. [9] On October 7, 2021, K183 made its first mainline appearance since 2002 performing several test runs on the Newport–Sunshine line. [10] K183 officially returned to service on April 24, 2022.
K184 1945Stored for future long term restorationStored at Newport Workshops (East Block). Was used on heritage services with Steamrail Victoria through the 1970s, painted all over gloss black with red frames and buffer beams. [11] The engine was withdrawn in 1980 due to poor mechanical condition. [12]
K190 K190 at McKinnon station Nov 2016.jpg 1946OperationalRestored in 1979. Painted in a LMS inspired livery.
R700 R700 at Newport Workshops.jpg 1951 North British Locomotive Company, GlasgowStored for future long term restoration100115Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block). Partially cosmetically restored for the 2020 Steamrail Open Days.
R711 R711 at Geelong Station.jpg OperationalRestored by West Coast Railway in 1998. Entered service with Steamrail in 2012. Currently the only mainline certified oil-burner in Victoria
R761 R761-mx1.jpg 1952Restored in 1985
Y112 YCLASS26876304290.jpg 1889 Phoenix Foundry, BallaratOut of Traffic, Overhaul6060Restored in 1996. Occasionally runs with its original number Y419. Based at Ballarat East. Withdrawn from service in May 2022 to receive new driving wheels and tires. [13]

Diesel locomotives

NumberImageYear builtBuilderStatusMax Speed km/hNotes
B63 1952 Clyde Engineering, Granville Non-operationalCurrently stored at Newport.
B72 B72 freshly painted into the VicRail teacup livery.jpg 1953 Clyde Engineering, Granville Under restoration
M231 1959 Newport Workshops OperationalUsed for shunting at the Newport Depot.
M232 OperationalCurrently stored at Newport.
S301 S301 at Newport Workshops in 2024.jpg 1957 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational115Acquired from Pacific National in March 2024. [14]
S313 S313.jpg 1961 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational115
T356 T356westblock.jpg 1959 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational100
T364 T364 at Steamrail's Ballarat East depot 10-06-23.jpg 1962 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational
T395 T395 Newport Workshops Open Weekend 2022.jpg 1965 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational
Y164 1968 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational65West Block shunter

Electric rolling stock

Locomotives

NumberImageYear builtBuilderStatusMax Speed km/hNotes
E1106 1929VR Newport and Jolimont Workshops Non-operational65Stored at Newport.
E1108
E1109 Formerly Under restoration.
L1160 L1160 Newport Workshops.jpg 1953English ElectricNon operational115
L1162 L1162.jpg OperationalStored at Newport pending equipment upgrades for mainline accreditation
L1169 L1169 Newport Workshops Open Weekend 2022.jpg 1954Non operational.Stored at Newport. Used as a prop for 2007 Film Ghost Rider with "Texas Eagle" paint job. Repainted to Indian Railways livery in 2021 for TV Series Shantaram.

Swing Door electrics

Swing Door (train)

NumberImageYear built as carriageYear converted to Electric carBuilder (Electric)StatusMax Speed km/hNotes
107 M SwingDoor Newport Workshop.jpg 1888 as 85 AA1920 Newport Workshops Destroyed80Destroyed in fire at Newport Workshops in 2015.
137 M SwingDoorNewport.jpg 1907 as 22 BDBD
93 M1889 as 110 AA1919Under RestorationUnder Restoration after being recovered from paddock in Mooroopna in 2017.
113 M1888 as 35 AA1920StoredFormer Jolimont Workshops Pilot
156 M1900 as 2 BDBD1917
24 D1904 as 72 ABAB1923DestroyedDestroyed in fire at Newport Workshops in 2015.
12 BT1890 as 173 AA1919

Tait electrics

Tait (train)

NumberImageYear built as carriageYear converted to Electric carBuilder (Electric)StatusMax Speed km/hNotes
2 CM Tait Parcels Van 2CM at Newport Workshops.jpg -1921 Newport Workshops Stored80Parcels motor
317 M Preserved Victorian Railways Tait train at Belgrave Station on March 8, 2022.jpg -1917Operational
267 M-Stored
284 M-1918
327 M1915 as 52 BCP1921Under Restoration
381 M 381M at steamrail open day.jpg -1918Operational
470 M TaitNewportWorkshops.jpg 1915 as 25 BCP1921Under RestorationUnique double end configuration.
230 D VR Tait Driving Trailer Car 230D at Moorabbin Station.jpg 1910 as 3 ACP1922Operational
257 D1913 as 30 ACPStored
208 T Tait Trailer Car 208T at Moorabbin Station.jpg 1910 as 8 AP1919Operational
341 T Tait trailer car 341T at Newport Workshops Open Day March 2024.jpg 1913 as 55 BP1922Operational
48 G-1924StoredDual lighting (Gas/Electric)

Passenger Carriages

E Cars

E cars

CarriageImageYear builtColourMax Speed km/hNotes
3 ABE15 August 1908Red and Gold80First / Second Class - Compartment Style - Half Carpet Floor
7 ABE30 June 1909RedFirst / Second Class - Compartment Style - Kiosk
12 AE28 August 1908Blue and goldFirst Class - Compartment Style - Air Conditioning
1 BCE Victorian Railways Guard and Sitting Car 1BCE in 2022.jpg 10 February 1910RedGuards Van / Second Class - Compartment Style
5 BCE23 December 1909Guards Van / Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
2 BE28 August 1906Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
3 BE31 October 1906
4 BE31 October 1906Blue and goldSecond Class - Compartment Style - Air Conditioning. Stored
17 BE BallaratRailwayStationPlatformTwo.jpg 15 August 1908RedSecond Class - Compartment Style
25 BE Victorian Railways E type passenger car (25BE), newly restored by Steamrail Victoria, May 2018.jpg 16 July 1909
38 BE3 December 1910
46 BE3 March 1910Second Class - Compartment Style - Carpet Floor
18 CE CE carriage.jpg 24 February 1911Blue and goldGuards Van
1 HW19 December 1910RedWeedex Crew Car - Formerly 37 AE - Stored

W Cars

Short W cars (U cars) | Long W cars

CarriageImageYear builtColourMax Speed km/hNotes
32 ABU2 April 1914Red80First / Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
40 ABU25 June 1914
25 AW5 July 1918First Class - Compartment Style - Stored
64 AW8 April 1927Red and goldFirst Class - Compartment Style
60 BW1 October 1926Second Class - Compartment Style
61 BW Semi-elliptical roofed BW carriage.jpg 30 July 1926Second Class - Compartment Style - On loan to the VGR
63 BW9 July 1926Red
67 BW13 April 1927Red and GoldSecond Class - Compartment Style
68 BW12 April 1927
70 BW8 July 1927RedSecond Class - Compartment Style - Stored
71 BW18 June 1926
80 BW 80 BW.jpg 23 April 1926BrownSecond Class - Compartment Style - On loan to the VGR
14 CW CW van.jpg 18 January 1914RedGuards Van

K Cars

K cars

CarriageImageYear builtColourMax Speed km/hGaugeNotes
500 AK5 December 1936Blue and gold115SGFirst Class - Compartment Style
502 AK17 February 1937Blue and goldSGFirst Class - Compartment Style
600 BK 600BK at Newport Workshops Open Day March 2024.jpg 19 December 1936Blue and goldBGSecond Class - Compartment Style
603 BK11 May 1937Blue and goldSGSecond Class - Compartment Style
604 BK23 July 1937Blue and goldSGSecond Class - Compartment Style
605 BK24 August 1937Blue and goldSGSecond Class - Compartment Style
700 BK Steamrail Victoria's former South Australian Railways 700 class passenger car 700 BK at Newport Workshops.jpg 9 July 1940Blue and goldBGSecond Class - Saloon Style
702 BK13 August 1940Blue and goldSGSecond Class - Saloon Style
703 BK28 August 1940ExplorerBGSecond Class - Saloon Style - Stored Fire Damaged
711 BK19 July 1941West Coast RailwayBGSecond Class - Saloon Style - Stored Fire Damaged
751 AK29 June 1942ANRBGSecond Class - Saloon Style - Stored. Numbered BE 358
782 AK19 March 1942ANRBGSecond Class - Saloon Style - Stored

S Cars

S cars

CarriageImageYear builtColourMax Speed km/hNotes
5 AS 5AS at Steamrail Victoria's Newport depot July 2019.jpg 14 November 1937Blue and gold115First Class - Compartment Style
8 AS14 May 1940
11 AS22 March 1949
9 BRS 9BRS at Southern Cross Station 12-02-22.jpg 2 December 1948Red and silverSecond Class - Compartment Style - Buffet
14 BRS14 December 1956Blue and gold
2 BS14 November 1937Second Class - Compartment Style

N Cars

N cars

CarriageImageYear builtColourMax Speed km/hNotes
ACN 247 June 1982PTV115First Class with Guards Compartment - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge
BRN 3417 December 1982Economy Class with Buffet - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge
BN 718 December 1981Economy Class - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge
BN 1019 February 1982Economy Class - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge

V Cars

V cars

CarriageImageYear builtColourMax Speed km/hNotes
1 AV16 June 1897Red65First Class - Compartment Style - Stored
32 AV26 October 1899
7 BV29 March 1898Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
18 BV31 August 1899
12 BL30 June 1893Second Class - End Platform Compartment Style with Saloon - Stored. 'Enterprise'
13 BL30 June 1893Second Class - End Platform Compartment Style with Saloon - Stored. 'Pioneer'

Special Carriages

CarriageImageYear builtColourMax Speed km/hNotes
Moorabool VR Club Car Moorabool at Warrnambool 2018.jpg 1 June 1939Blue and gold115Club / Dance Car
601 Tweed2 March 1937Blue and goldDining Car - Standard Gauge
607 Richmond24 November 1937Blue and goldDining Car
SJ 282 Tantini V & SAR Overland Sleeper Car Tantini at Newport Workshops in 2024.jpg 7 March 1950Overland MaroonRoomette Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
SJ 283 Weroni9 December 1950V/Line Orange (Vinelander)Twinette Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
269 BZ Hobsons Bay4 December 1958Blue and goldMultifunction/Dance Car
Goulburn Former VR Dining Car Goulburn as preserved by Steamrail Victoria.jpg 23 November 1908Red and gold80Twinshare Sleeping Car (SRV Crew Car)
Inman 22 August 1923RedTwinshare Sleeping Car
Coliban Victorian Railways Sleeping Car Coliban in 2023.jpg 22 August 1923RedTwinshare Sleeping Car
Indi 14 April 1928Blue and goldTwinshare Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
Werribee Victorian Railways Sleeping Car Werribee at North Geelong in 2023.jpg 14 April 1928Blue and goldTwinshare Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
24 CP 3 February 1958Blue115Guards Van - Standard Gauge
291 CP CP 291 at Newport Workshops Open Day 2024.jpg 28 April 1958MaroonGuards Van
292 PCP 17 September 1957Blue and goldPower Van
PCJ 491 18 September 1970SilverPower Van
Carey VR Shower Car Carey as preserved by Steamrail Victoria.jpg 26 August 1901Blue and Gold80Shower Car (former Horsebox)
VZVF 116 May 1955Black95Water Tank Wagon - 33640L Capacity
VOAF 95 July 1927RedBogie Open Wagon for Coal Transport - 45t Capacity
VOBX 24424 September 1969Red and GoldBogie Open Wagon for Coal Transport - 51t Capacity
WT 4916 July 1902Red65Water Tank Wagon - 9000L Capacity

See also

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References

  1. "Steamrail Victoria - About Us". www.steamrail.com.au. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  2. "Media Release: RIDE A STEAM TRAIN AROUND MELBOURNE THIS SUNDAY". www.dpc.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 11 August 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  3. Steam trains return on Ballarat's Heritage Weekend Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine . The Courier. 9 May 2012
  4. "Qube's use of SRV locos". www.railpage.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  5. "El Zorro's Demise". www.railpage.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  6. "Steamrail Forum ~ View topic - El Zorro Hirings of SRV Locos". www.steamrail.com.au. Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  7. "VICSIG - Heritage Groups - Steamrail Victoria". www.vicsig.net. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2008.
  8. "K183 Update". facebook.com/steamrail. Steamrail Victoria. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  9. "K183 Update". facebook.com/steamrail. Steamrail Victoria. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  10. "K183 Test Run". facebook.com/steamrail. Steamrail Victoria. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  11. "K class steam locomotives". Archived from the original on 5 August 2020.
  12. "K184". Archived from the original on 15 September 2020.
  13. "Happy 133rd Birthday Y112!". facebook.com/steamrail. Steamrail Victoria. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
  14. "S301 GIFTED TO STEAMRAIL BY PACIFIC NATIONAL". facebook.com/steamrail. Retrieved 10 March 2023.