V Class
By: Alex Thorn
V56 at the Newport Railway Museum. 5/2/22
Photo By: Alex Thorn
Photo By: Alex Thorn
In 1959, a new suburban train washing plant was to be erected at Jolimont Workshops. This new facility would require a locomotive with very low gearing to allow for specifically low speeds. The job of the locomotive would be to haul suburban sets through the wash plant at very low speed, around 1mph. No locomotive in Victorian Railways possession had such abilities, so Newport Workshops constructed the sole V56. It would also be the final locomotive ever to be constructed at Newport Workshops.
The locomotive was a very short, 4-wheeled design with a Fordson Major tractor engine installed. The engine cover had a sloped design, similar to the M class shunting locomotives. Hydraulic motors allowed the locomotive to move at a constant slow speed. When introduced, it was unclassified and painted orange. In 1960, it received its classification of V56 and began its role at Jolimont Workshops. The unit was also occasionally used for shunting suburban rolling-stock around the yard and would visit Newport Workshops when maintenance was required.
During its career, it would receive VR blue and yellow livery in 1974, and The Met green and yellow scheme in 1985. In 1993, Jolimont Workshops closed making the unique locomotive virtually obsolete. It was also in a poor mechanical condition by this time and saw plenty of time in storage between work just before the closure of the workshops.
V56 would be transferred to South Dynon and Melbourne Yard to undertake further shunting duties, however it was proved underpowered and not suited. It was withdrawn in 1994 and allocated to ARHS. It is currently on static display at the North Williamstown railway museum still wearing its ‘Met’ livery.
The locomotive was a very short, 4-wheeled design with a Fordson Major tractor engine installed. The engine cover had a sloped design, similar to the M class shunting locomotives. Hydraulic motors allowed the locomotive to move at a constant slow speed. When introduced, it was unclassified and painted orange. In 1960, it received its classification of V56 and began its role at Jolimont Workshops. The unit was also occasionally used for shunting suburban rolling-stock around the yard and would visit Newport Workshops when maintenance was required.
During its career, it would receive VR blue and yellow livery in 1974, and The Met green and yellow scheme in 1985. In 1993, Jolimont Workshops closed making the unique locomotive virtually obsolete. It was also in a poor mechanical condition by this time and saw plenty of time in storage between work just before the closure of the workshops.
V56 would be transferred to South Dynon and Melbourne Yard to undertake further shunting duties, however it was proved underpowered and not suited. It was withdrawn in 1994 and allocated to ARHS. It is currently on static display at the North Williamstown railway museum still wearing its ‘Met’ livery.
Loco |
In Service |
Owner |
Livery |
Status |
V56 |
01/59 |
ARHS |
The Met |
Static Display |
Credits:
Power to the Rails - Joh Scott
Wikipedia
Vicsig
Updated: 12/10/22
Power to the Rails - Joh Scott
Wikipedia
Vicsig
Updated: 12/10/22