History
The design was based on the General Motors EMD F7 locomotive and the S class locomotives were very similar to the GM12 class then being built by Clyde Engineering for the Commonwealth Railways. They were mechanically similar to the 1952 built double ended B class.
The first order for 10 locomotives, were progressively delivered between August 1957 and February 1958 from Clyde Engineering, Granville. The first four took the names and numbers of the recently scrapped S class steam locomotives that came before them, with all being named after prominent Victorians. An additional eight locomotives were ordered for use on the new North East standard gauge line and delivered between November 1960 and December 1961.
The class were initially used on express passenger trains such as the Spirit of Progress and The Overland, but were also used on fast freights. On the broad gauge their usefulness was limited by the single cab, and so often ran back to back, while on the standard gauge they usually ran solo. By the late 1970s they could be commonly seen in multiple unit with X class classes, along with the B and T classes, or solo on morning and evening Geelong commuter trains. A second 'hostlers' cab was provided at the number two end, but was only used for moving the loco around depots, or to haul empty carriages short distances.
In February 1969 S314 and S316 were destroyed in the Violet Town railway disaster, and were deemed uneconomical to repair and scrapped. In January 1967 S317 was badly damaged in a head on collision with X33 south of Broadford Loop and was returned to Clyde Engineering for rebuilding. In June 1982 S317 was again involved in a fatal accident when it ran into the rear of the Spirit of Progress at Barnawartha, killing the crew.
As more modern locomotives were introduced, those on the standard gauge moved to the broad gauge working both passenger and freight services for Victorian Railways and V/Line. Examples would periodically appear on the standard gauge.
Withdrawals commenced in the May 1987. In February 1994 S300, S302, S311 and S312 were sold to West Coast Railway for use on passenger services to Warrnambool. By April 1999 only S301, S306, S307 and S310 remained in the V/Line fleet and even these were only used during periods of high demand. A few have been preserved.
Privatisation brought an upturn in the class' fortunes with some overhauled and as at December 2012 remain in service with Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia, El Zorro, Pacific National, RailPower and Southern Shorthaul Railroad.
Read more about this topic: Victorian Railways S Class (diesel)
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