VR R class R707 preserved 1974
The R Class is a 4-6-4 "Hudson" steam locomotive that ran on Victorian Railways from 1951 to the 1970's.
History[]
During World War II, the A2 Class 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers were found incapable of keeping up with the increased workloads, even when double-heading, and were rapidly wearing out, being subject to frame cracking (from fatigue); and as such, more modern and powerful locomotives were needed desperately as by the end of the war, the A2's were in deplorable condition.
70 of the R Class were built for express passenger duties, quickly replacing the A2's and proving successful due to their various modern features and considerably superior power. However, this was short lived as they were replaced by diesel locomotives as early as 1952, quickly being relegated to secondary service on passenger and freight trains as a result. Withdrawals began as early as the 1960's and continuing into the 1970's (some even being scrapped as early as the 50's).
In the 1990's, West Coast Railway purchased and modified R 711 and R 766 into "Super R" Class locomotives by converting them to oil firing and granting them new features such as double chimneys, fitting of power reversing gear, diesel control stand to allow multiple unit working with diesel locomotives among other things to allow them to adhere to a diesel timetable. They were put into regular passenger service on Saturdays along the Melbourne to Warrnambool line which WCR operated. They also ran tourist services to Echuca and Bacchus Marsh. In 2004, when WCR folded, the pair of "Super R's" passed into the care of Steamrail Victoria.
Preservation[]
Seven R Class survive into preservation.
OPERATIONAL
- R 707 was restored and is currently operated 707 Operations and named "City of Melbourne". Has quite the preservation career, having parallel ran with Flying Scotsman a few times in 1988-89, and triple parallel running with Flying Scotsman and R761 as part of Flying Scotsman's trip to Alice Springs and has parallel ran with 3801 between Seymour and Melbourne in 1988.
- R 711 was once owned and restored by West Coast Railway and converted to a "Super R" oil burner while painted in the WCR livery, however after WCR's demise R711 went into the care of Steamrail Victoria and was reverted to a "regular" R by removing it's power reverse and double chimney. Although the diesel control stand and oil burning features remain (it should be noted that it is equipped with a Wier Burner instead of a South African rotary burner). Was notable for running steam hauled services to Warrnambool on Saturday and tourist trains to Echuca and Bacchus Marsh under WCR to name a few things, and has double headed with R761 between Wodonga and Melbourne, paralleling 3801 and 3830 in Easter 2000 (worth noting that this was the last time a steam locomotive from NSW ran to Victoria).
R711 as preserved with L1162
- R 761 was restored and is current operated by Steamrail Victoria. Has made an impressive preservation career, having been to South Australia twice, once in 1987 for the centenary of the Melbourne-Adelaide line, going as far north as Peterborough, being the last broad gauge engine to go there and be turned and then in 1994 to Adelaide before the Melbourne-Adelaide line was standardized. It has also parallel ran with the Flying Scotsman several times in 1988-89, even triple parallel ran between Melbourne and Seymour with Flying Scotsman and R 707 side by side. It has also ran the last broad gauge steam hauled trains to Western Victoria with R766 as far as Dimboola in 1995 before the Melbourne-Adelaide standardization and to Albury in 2008 before the North East line was converted to standard gauge. Also double headed with South Australian Railways 621 from Wolsesly, SA to Bacchus Marsh in 1994 as part of SteamRanger's first (and only) tour to Victoria. Is also notable for parallel running with engines from New South Wales, with 3801 in 1988 for the Bicentennial, again in 2000 during the Easter long weekend (3830 accompanied 3801 while R 711 accompanied R 761. 3801 and 3830 exploring Victoria's recently expanded standard gauge network) Also parallel ran with 3642 in 1992 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of standard gauge between Albury and Melbourne.
- R 766 has passed through a number of operators and owners in preservation. It was acquired by a company trading as "Australian Vintage Travel" in 1981 and restored to operating condition for hauling luxury rail services. It was painted in a Brunswick green livery, matching the ex-South Australian Railways carriages also restored for these services. After Australian Vintage Travel folded in 1986, R 766 was acquired by a syndicate of shareholders ("766 Syndicate") and leased to Steamrail Victoria. In 1994, Steamrail volunteers re-painted R 766 in a maroon livery based on that of the London Midland and Scottish Railway, before the locomotive was leased to West Coast Railway (and repainted in the WCR corporate livery) in 2000. Like several other classes, the R-class was designed for ease of conversion to 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge. Following its withdrawal from West Coast Railway service, R 766 was converted from 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) to 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge by the Hunter Valley Railway Trust and was transferred to North Rothbury, New South Wales in December 2007. The work was completed in 2018, an ICE radio was fitted in 2019 and limited line trials commenced in 2020, a mainline trial was also undertaken in late 2021
STATIC EXHIBITS
- R 704 is preserved by the ARHS Museum in North Williamstown. It is notable for being present at the Festival of Britian in 1951.
STORED
- R 700 is stored pending restoration. R 700 was stored in a dismantled state at Ballarat East until early 2011 when it was lifted back onto its wheels. In May 2012 the loco was transferred to Newport Workshops during an empty cars move, hauled by K190.
- R 753 exists in a dismantled state at 707 Operations.
Specifications[]
The R Class weighs 190.4 tonnes and has an axle load of 19.8 tonnes. The boiler has a maximum pressure level of 210 psi and the engine itself can produce a tractive effort of 32,080 lbs and power outputs in excess of 2,000 drawbar horsepower. The firebox possesses a grate area of 42 sq ft (3.9 m) and is fed by a mechanical stoker. The cylinders are 21.5 inches (546 mm) in bore 28 inches (711 mm) in stroke. The driving wheels are 73 inches (1.85 m) in diameter.
The tender can carry 6 tons of coal and 9,000 gallons (40,915 litres) of water. Their mechanical stokers can feed the fireboxes up to 10,000 lbs (4536 kg) of coal per hour.
[stats on oil burning R's would be appreciated]
See also[]
Trivia[]
- The R Class was the second locomotive type on the VR to feature a mechanical stoker. As well as the American style bar frame construction of the S Class 4-6-2 and H Class 4-8-4 express passenger locomotives as well as roller brearings and thermic siphons.
- The R Class were the first locomotives on the VR to feature the lightweight SCOA-P driving wheels.
- Several "Super R" features are second hand features from ex South African locomotives, South African Advanced Steam engineer Phil Wardale assisting in modification of the two R's.
- The R Class are the only "Hudson"-type tender engines in Australia.
Victorian Railways R Class - Hudson - A Rail Film - Silent 16mm film
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