Steamrail Victoria

Steamrail Victoria
Formation1965
TypeVolunteer Organisation
PurposeRestoration & Operation of Heritage Rollingstock
HeadquartersNewport Workshops
Coordinates37°51′3″S 144°52′48″E / 37.85083°S 144.88000°E / -37.85083; 144.88000
Websitewww.steamrail.com.au
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]

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

Number Image Year built Builder Status Max Speed km/h Metro Network Max Speed km/h Notes
A2 986 1915 Newport Workshops Operational 80 80 Re-entered service on 13 May 2017 after a 30-year restoration
D3 608 1908 Stored Stored at Ballarat East
D3 638 1916 Stored
D3 639/658 1903 Operational 95 95 Restored in 1984. Painted in the Victorian Railways Commissioner's Loco livery (black and red). Occasionally runs with its original number D3 658
D3 641 1915 Stored Stored at Ballarat East
D3 677 1917 Stored Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block).
D3 688 1912 Stored Stored at Ballarat East
K151 1940 Stored Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block).
K153 Operational 80 80 Restored in 1983. As of May 2023, it is running with K140's plates.
K183 1943 Operational 80 80 Originally 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 1945 Stored for future long term restoration Stored 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 1946 Operational 80 80 Restored in 1979. Painted in a LMS inspired livery.
R700 1951 North British Locomotive Company, Glasgow Stored for future long term restoration 115 115 Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block). Partially cosmetically restored for the 2020 Steamrail Open Days.
R711 Operational 115 115 Restored by West Coast Railway in 1998. Entered service with Steamrail in 2012. Currently the only mainline certified oil-burner in Victoria
R761 1952 Restored in 1985
Y112 1889 Phoenix Foundry, Ballarat Out of Traffic, Overhaul 65 65 Restored 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

Number Image Year built Builder Status Max Speed km/h Notes
B63 1952 Clyde Engineering, Granville Non-operational Currently stored at Newport.
B72 1953 Clyde Engineering, Granville Under restoration 115
M231 1959 Newport Workshops Operational 12 Used for shunting at the Newport Depot.
M232 1959 Operational 12 Currently stored at Newport.
S301 1957 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational 115 Donated by Pacific National in March 2024.[14]
S313 1961 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational 115
T356 1959 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational 100
T364 1962 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational 100
T395 1965 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational 100 On hire to the Victorian Goldfields Railway as of December 1, 2024
Y164 1968 Clyde Engineering, Granville Operational 65 West Block shunter

Electric rolling stock

Locomotives

Number Image Year built Builder Status Max Speed km/h Notes
E1106 1929 VR Newport and Jolimont Workshops Non-operational 65 Stored at Newport.
E1108
E1109 Formerly Under restoration.
L1160 1953 English Electric Non operational 115
L1162 Operational Stored at Newport pending equipment upgrades for mainline accreditation
L1169 1954 Non 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)

Number Image Year built as carriage Year converted to Electric car Builder (Electric) Status Max Speed km/h Notes
107 M 1888 as 85 AA 1920 Newport Workshops Destroyed 80 Destroyed in fire at Newport Workshops in 2015.
137 M 1907 as 22 BDBD
93 M 1889 as 110 AA 1919 Under Restoration Under Restoration after being recovered from paddock in Mooroopna in 2017.
113 M 1888 as 35 AA 1920 Stored Former Jolimont Workshops Pilot
156 M 1900 as 2 BDBD 1917
24 D 1904 as 72 ABAB 1923 Destroyed Destroyed in fire at Newport Workshops in 2015.
12 BT 1890 as 173 AA 1919

Tait electrics

Tait (train)

Number Image Year built as carriage Year converted to Electric car Builder (Electric) Status Max Speed km/h Notes
2 CM - 1921 Newport Workshops Stored 80 Parcels motor
317 M - 1917 Operational
267 M - Stored
284 M - 1918
327 M 1915 as 52 BCP 1921 Under Restoration
381 M - 1918 Operational
470 M 1915 as 25 BCP 1921 Under Restoration Unique double end configuration.
230 D 1910 as 3 ACP 1922 Operational
257 D 1913 as 30 ACP Stored
208 T 1910 as 8 AP 1919 Operational
341 T 1913 as 55 BP 1922 Operational
48 G - 1924 Stored Dual lighting (Gas/Electric)

Passenger Carriages

E Cars

E cars

Carriage Image Year built Colour Max Speed km/h Notes
3 ABE 15 August 1908 Red and Gold 80 First / Second Class - Compartment Style - Half Carpet Floor
7 ABE 30 June 1909 Red First / Second Class - Compartment Style - Kiosk
12 AE 28 August 1908 Blue and gold First Class - Compartment Style - Air Conditioning
1 BCE 10 February 1910 Red Guards Van / Second Class - Compartment Style
5 BCE 23 December 1909 Guards Van / Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
2 BE 28 August 1906 Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
3 BE 31 October 1906
4 BE 31 October 1906 Blue and gold Second Class - Compartment Style - Air Conditioning. Stored
17 BE 15 August 1908 Red Second Class - Compartment Style
25 BE 16 July 1909
38 BE 3 December 1910
46 BE 3 March 1910 Second Class - Compartment Style - Carpet Floor
18 CE 24 February 1911 Blue and gold Guards Van
1 HW 19 December 1910 Red Weedex Crew Car - Formerly 37 AE - Stored

W Cars

Short W cars (U cars) | Long W cars

Carriage Image Year built Colour Max Speed km/h Notes
32 ABU 2 April 1914 Red 80 First / Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
40 ABU 25 June 1914
25 AW 5 July 1918 First Class - Compartment Style - Stored
64 AW 8 April 1927 Red and gold First Class - Compartment Style
60 BW 1 October 1926 Second Class - Compartment Style
61 BW 30 July 1926 Second Class - Compartment Style
63 BW 9 July 1926 Red
67 BW 13 April 1927 Red and Gold
68 BW 12 April 1927
70 BW 8 July 1927 Red Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
71 BW 18 June 1926
80 BW 23 April 1926 Brown Second Class - Compartment Style - On loan to the VGR
14 CW 18 January 1914 Red Guards Van

K Cars

K cars

Carriage Image Year built Colour Max Speed km/h Gauge Notes
500 AK 5 December 1936 Blue and gold 115 SG First Class - Compartment Style.

Leased to The Picnic Train.

502 AK 17 February 1937 Blue and gold SG First Class - Compartment Style.

Leased to The Picnic Train.

600 BK 19 December 1936 Blue and gold BG Second Class - Compartment Style
603 BK 11 May 1937 Blue and gold SG Second Class - Compartment Style.

Leased to The Picnic Train.

604 BK 23 July 1937 Blue and gold SG Second Class - Compartment Style.

Leased to The Picnic Train.

605 BK 24 August 1937 Blue and gold SG Second Class - Compartment Style. Leased to The Picnic Train.
700 BK 9 July 1940 Blue and gold BG Second Class - Saloon Style
702 BK 13 August 1940 Blue and gold BG Second Class - Saloon Style
703 BK 28 August 1940 Explorer BG Second Class - Saloon Style - Stored Fire Damaged
711 BK 19 July 1941 West Coast Railway BG Second Class - Saloon Style - Stored Fire Damaged
751 AK 29 June 1942 ANR BG Second Class - Saloon Style - Stored. Numbered BE 358
782 AK 19 March 1942 ANR BG Second Class - Saloon Style - Stored

S Cars

S cars

Carriage Image Year built Colour Max Speed km/h Notes
5 AS 14 November 1937 Blue and gold 115 First Class - Compartment Style
8 AS 14 May 1940
11 AS 22 March 1949
9 BRS 2 December 1948 Red and silver Second Class - Compartment Style - Buffet
14 BRS 14 December 1956 Blue and gold
2 BS 14 November 1937 Second Class - Compartment Style

N Cars

N cars

Carriage Image Year built Colour Max Speed km/h Notes
ACN 24 7 June 1982 PTV 115 First Class with Guards Compartment - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge.

Leased to The Picnic Train.

BRN 34 17 December 1982 Economy Class with Buffet - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge.

Leased to The Picnic Train.

BN 7 18 December 1981 Economy Class - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge.

Leased to The Picnic Train.

BN 10 19 February 1982 Economy Class - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge.

Leased to The Picnic Train.

V Cars

V cars

Carriage Image Year built Colour Max Speed km/h Notes
1 AV 16 June 1897 Red 65 First Class - Compartment Style - Stored
32 AV 26 October 1899
7 BV 29 March 1898 Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
18 BV 31 August 1899
12 BL 30 June 1893 Second Class - End Platform Compartment Style with Saloon - Stored. 'Enterprise'
13 BL 30 June 1893 Second Class - End Platform Compartment Style with Saloon - Stored. 'Pioneer'

Special Carriages

Carriage Image Year built Colour Max Speed km/h Notes
Moorabool 1 June 1939 Blue and gold 115 Club / Dance Car
601 Tweed 2 March 1937 Blue and gold Dining Car - Standard Gauge.

Leased to The Picnic Train.

607 Richmond 24 November 1937 Blue and gold Dining Car
SJ 282 Tantini 7 March 1950 Overland Maroon Roomette Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
SJ 283 Weroni 9 December 1950 V/Line Orange (Vinelander) Twinette Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
4 AZ 26 November 1957 PTV Ex BTN254, retired from V/Line service July 2023.
269 BZ Hobsons Bay 4 December 1958 Blue and gold Multifunction/Dance Car
Goulburn 23 November 1908 Red and gold 80 Twinshare Sleeping Car (SRV Crew Car)
Inman 22 August 1923 Red Twinshare Sleeping Car
Coliban 22 August 1923 Red Twinshare Sleeping Car
Indi 14 April 1928 Blue and gold Twinshare Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
Werribee 14 April 1928 Blue and gold Twinshare Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
24 CP 3 February 1958 Blue 115 Guards Van - Standard Gauge. Leased to The Picnic Train.
34 CP 28 April 1958 Wagon Red Ex 291 CP. Guards Van
292 PCP 17 September 1957 Blue and gold Power Van
PCJ 491 18 September 1970 Silver Power Van
Carey 26 August 1901 Blue and Gold 80 Shower Car (former Horsebox)
VZVF 1 16 May 1955 Black 95 Water Tank Wagon - 33640L Capacity
VOAF 9 5 July 1927 Red Bogie Open Wagon for Coal Transport - 45t Capacity
VOBX 244 24 September 1969 Red and Gold Bogie Open Wagon for Coal Transport - 51t Capacity
WT 49 16 July 1902 Red 65 Water Tank Wagon - 9000L Capacity

See also

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.
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