| Railway rollingstock engineers have always been torn between innovation and standardisation. The trick is to know when to switch from innovation to standardisation, and vice versa. From the introduction of the DD in 1901 to the J in 1954, the VR was consistently wrong footed in this regard. The fairly ordinary DD and A2 class 4-6-0’s were adopted as standards and built in large numbers until the early 1920’s, so there was very limited scope for new designs during the Twenties and Thirties. Nevertheless, the VR designed and manufactured six new classes between 1922 and 1941, but none in numbers large enough to achieve significant economies. Only four of the impressive S class Pacifics were built and the truly great H class 4-8-4 had but one example. The real economies were achieved with the application of modern front end design to the large stud of existing engines, which enabled a significant acceleration of passenger schedules in 1936.
After the War, there was another opportunity. The massive capital investment scheme publicised as “Operation Phoenix” provided the funds to replace hundreds of clapped out engines, and the work done by the Rollingstock Branch in the Thirties had provided the basis for some good replacement designs. But instead of one new eight coupled design, they built three, all with the thoroughly outdated and restrictive standard of 55 inch driving wheels and short travel valve gear, and none with roller bearings. This condemned them to 50 mph maximum speed, and made them next to useless for passenger work. The R class with its 73 inch drivers was intended for passenger operations and was built in unnecessary numbers. They spent most of their short working lives hauling slow freight. Of the 216 steam locomotives built from 1940, not one could be considered a true “mixed traffic” or “general purpose” machine. The 25 L class electrics were a disappointment too. On the other hand, the diesel men really got it right! By 1960 the VR had a fleet of 81 Clyde/GM’s that was adequate for all important tasks on the system, and the most powerful steam classes had been withdrawn. Although steam lingered another eight years, Victorian enthusiasts had to look elsewhere to witness steam locomotives doing the things they were designed to do. Maybe if it had been otherwise I would have stayed nearer home, and missed so many great experiences across Australasia! |
The Go-Anywhere D3 |
Castlemaine 1960 |
Wartime Necessity |
Lonely Resident |
Rare Assignment |
Good Riddance |
Battle of the Gauges |
Quintessential VR |
Snow and Ice Protected |
No Engine Cleaners |
Relegated |
Half A Solution |
Pure Fluke |
Built for Speed |
Macho Land |
Reprieved for the Harvest |
The Main Line Turns 100 |
Grit Blaster |
Handsome |
The Standard |
Australien Dampflokomotive? |
Dream Come True |
The Prettiest Line |
No Shovel But Fumes Instead |
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