The V Class locomotive is a 2-8-0 'Consolidation' type steam locomotive that ran on the Victorian Railways of Australia from 1899 to 1930
History[]
In 1899, the Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philidelphia imported a 2-8-0 heavy goods locomotive that was American in design and had 4 outside cylinders based off the Vauclain Compound system
After test runs where the V Class proved very successful, 15 more V Class locomotives were built at Phoenix Foundry in Ballarat and served as mainline heavy frieght locomotives across the VR, as well as on VR branchlines since their axle load was so light they could run on them and their wheelbases were short enough to be turned on 50 ft turntables
Later in their lives, due to the intense maintenance and sheer costs around the compound cylinders, the V Class were converted to simple expansions in 1912-1913
Preservation[]
None of the V Class locomotives were preserved although a project had been launched by the Victorian Steam Locomotive Company to scratch build a Vauclain compound V Class to be numbered V 499, due to the original "V 499" being the first 'big engine' in Victoria, and since the 500 numbering was given to the J Class
However, with the VSLC site and socials deleted or abandoned, and the project manager having moved to the UK (presumably to never return), the project has ceased altogether.
The cab and tender body made for the project are currently stored at the Victorian Goldfields Railway in Maldon, Victoria.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The V Class was the first 2-8-0 steam locomotive in Victoria as well as the first eight coupled locomotive in Victoria, being a forerunner to the larger 1918 C Class, 1922 K Class and 1954 J Class 2-8-0 locomotives
- At the time of it's introduction it was the largest steam locomotive in Victoria, much larger than the largest X Class 0-6-0 goods engines. It's size and wheel arrangement was a considerable step up from the typical 0-6-0 wheel arrangement at the time
- The V Class was also influential (albiet not immediately so due to the pro British conservatism of the VR at the time, hence why they were scrapped in the 1920's- 1930) in it's American design features that were the first to steer away from the more traditional British design features. Elements such as bar frames, delta trailing trucks, leading wheels to steer engines around curves, improved front ends, flexible suspensions among other modern design features were adopted on to various VR designs throughout the 20th century
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