Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Chris Nuthall, Ian Green, Simon Barber and Brad White
Page Last Updated: 14/5/21
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Locomotive Info:
Type: Diesel-Electric Number Built: 11 Preserved: 2 Stored: 3 Scrapped: 6 Model: AAT22C-2R Loco Length: 18.54 Meters Weight: 118 tonnes Engine: EMD 12-645E3B Generator: EMD AR10-A4-D18 (replaced with CA5) Traction Motors: EMD D57/D78 Horsepower: 2480 Max Speed: 130 km/h |
Liveries worn by A classes |
In the 1970s, the Victorian Railways were operating a fleet of worn out locomotives and rolling-stock that were in dire need of replacing. VR changed their name to Vicrail in the mid 1970s and decided that new passenger carriages and locomotives would be introduced. New locomotives were expensive however, and so Vicrail announced a rebuild program would commence on their already aging B class units in 1981. Clyde Engineering, the original B class manufacturers, assisted Vicrail through the rebuild program.
The design of the A class was completely changed from a mechanical perspective. A 16 cylinder engine was the chosen power plant, however the restrictive space between the two cabs meant a 12 cylinder EMD 12-645E3B was used. All 26 B class were to be upgraded into A class locomotives. The first units, B73 and B71 would travel to Clyde’s Rosewater facility in SA in 1981 and 1982 respectively.
The design of the A class was completely changed from a mechanical perspective. A 16 cylinder engine was the chosen power plant, however the restrictive space between the two cabs meant a 12 cylinder EMD 12-645E3B was used. All 26 B class were to be upgraded into A class locomotives. The first units, B73 and B71 would travel to Clyde’s Rosewater facility in SA in 1981 and 1982 respectively.
A81 with the up Apex near Wandong.
Date Taken: 27th April 2000 Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
A78-A70-A85 with a passenger service to Traralgon departing Spencer Street. (11/91)
Photo By: Ian Green |
The design of the A class was completely changed from a mechanical perspective. A 16 cylinder engine was the chosen power plant, however the restrictive space between the two cabs meant a 12 cylinder EMD 12-645E3B was used. All 26 B class were to be upgraded into A class locomotives. The first units, B73 and B71 would travel to Clyde’s Rosewater facility in SA in 1981 and 1982 respectively.
At the beginning of the rebuild, Clyde found it difficult to incorporate radiators, so they raised the roof of the units slightly, giving the As a distinctive look. This also allowed space for other mechanical features. Other features included nose mounted horns and new marker lights as well as a coat of V/line orange and grey, which had taken over Vicrail operations. When more B class were sent to Clyde for rebuild, bent and worn out frames were discovered. This meant extra costs for V/line making the program barely any cheaper than purchasing new locomotives.
A73 was the first unit completed and got delivered to Melbourne to undertake testing in 1984. It was then entered into service along with other As later which had by then been delivered. Unfortunately for the As, various issues were found such as noise and mechanical problems. A73 returned to SA for fixing. Other members of the class were withdrawn too, for the purpose of rectifying issues.
In 1985, further A class members were delivered. The units were predominantly used on passenger services to Dimboola, Albury, Swan Hill and Bendigo. They could occasionally be seen on goods workings too. A81 would be the final member of the class, bringing the total number of As to 11. The rebuild program had stopped after it was decided more reasonable to purchase new locomotives rather than rebuild new ones, as N class orders were placed. A class only ever operated on the broad gauge system during regular service. Members of the class were not built in numerical order, as they retained their B class identification placed.
At the beginning of the rebuild, Clyde found it difficult to incorporate radiators, so they raised the roof of the units slightly, giving the As a distinctive look. This also allowed space for other mechanical features. Other features included nose mounted horns and new marker lights as well as a coat of V/line orange and grey, which had taken over Vicrail operations. When more B class were sent to Clyde for rebuild, bent and worn out frames were discovered. This meant extra costs for V/line making the program barely any cheaper than purchasing new locomotives.
A73 was the first unit completed and got delivered to Melbourne to undertake testing in 1984. It was then entered into service along with other As later which had by then been delivered. Unfortunately for the As, various issues were found such as noise and mechanical problems. A73 returned to SA for fixing. Other members of the class were withdrawn too, for the purpose of rectifying issues.
In 1985, further A class members were delivered. The units were predominantly used on passenger services to Dimboola, Albury, Swan Hill and Bendigo. They could occasionally be seen on goods workings too. A81 would be the final member of the class, bringing the total number of As to 11. The rebuild program had stopped after it was decided more reasonable to purchase new locomotives rather than rebuild new ones, as N class orders were placed. A class only ever operated on the broad gauge system during regular service. Members of the class were not built in numerical order, as they retained their B class identification placed.
A66 in Bicentenary livery at Spencer Street station. (23/12/88)
Photo By: Simon Barber |
A66 promoting Melbournes bid for the 1996 Olympic games at South Dynon. (3/90)
Photo By: Ian Green |
Locomotive A66 wore two interesting liveries during the late 1980s. In 1988, it wore a one-off green and yellow Australian Bicentenary livery. In late 1989, it would be repainted again into a more standard V/line orange and grey, however it promoted the Melbourne bid for the 1996 Olympic Games. It was then reverted back to the standard V/line livery.
In the 1990s, V/line began using A class for freight, particularly as a result of rough riding problems experienced with some of the fleet at high speeds. With head end power being required from 1993, power vans would typically be used when As hauled passenger services.
In 1996, A62 would be the first of the class to be repainted into the V/line Passenger ‘blood and bone’ livery. Strangely, it was often used on freight services. When V/line split into separate freight and passenger groups in 1997, locos A71, A73, A77, A78, A79, A81 and A85 were all dedicated to the freight business. This left A60, A62, A66 and A70 in passenger operation. By 2002, all passenger dedicated As were wearing the ‘blood and bone’ livery.
During 1999, the freight sector of V/line was privatised and became Freight Victoria. In 2000, the first of the class received the green and yellow livery and upgrades to improve operation. In 2002 with the naming ceremony of V544, A85 was placed on standard gauge bogies to appear with the new locomotive. The unit never operated on SG and was soon reverted back to BG. The FV, later FA units were in service until 2014. A71 was the final FA unit to operate a freight service on Friday the 30th of May 2014, operation #9203 to Warrnambool and #9204 back to Melbourne.
In the 1990s, V/line began using A class for freight, particularly as a result of rough riding problems experienced with some of the fleet at high speeds. With head end power being required from 1993, power vans would typically be used when As hauled passenger services.
In 1996, A62 would be the first of the class to be repainted into the V/line Passenger ‘blood and bone’ livery. Strangely, it was often used on freight services. When V/line split into separate freight and passenger groups in 1997, locos A71, A73, A77, A78, A79, A81 and A85 were all dedicated to the freight business. This left A60, A62, A66 and A70 in passenger operation. By 2002, all passenger dedicated As were wearing the ‘blood and bone’ livery.
During 1999, the freight sector of V/line was privatised and became Freight Victoria. In 2000, the first of the class received the green and yellow livery and upgrades to improve operation. In 2002 with the naming ceremony of V544, A85 was placed on standard gauge bogies to appear with the new locomotive. The unit never operated on SG and was soon reverted back to BG. The FV, later FA units were in service until 2014. A71 was the final FA unit to operate a freight service on Friday the 30th of May 2014, operation #9203 to Warrnambool and #9204 back to Melbourne.
A60 and A62 conduct the final changeover for the Stony Point pass at Frankston. (24/4/08)
Photo By: Ian Green |
A71-A77-XR552-G527-G525 with #9102 at Laverton. (8/3/13)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
The passenger units were regularly rostered to haul peak services to Bacchus Marsh, Seymour, South Geelong and Kyneton. They were also found on Warrnambool, Stony Point and Ballarat services. During the early 2000s, some Freight Australia units were also hired to V/line Passenger to fulfil a loco shortage. During the latter 2000s though, A class lost many of their services to Sprinter and V/locity railcars. In 2009, A66 received the V/line ‘cheeseburger’ livery and remained to be the only member of the class to do so. As more of the V/locity DMUs entered service, V/line A class members began to be withdrawn from service. A66 remained in service until August 2018 and was subsequently transferred to Bendigo Workshops in September 2018, it remained there until October 18 2020. N467 hauled A66 and BZN274 from Bendigo to Dynon as #8098 for reactivation. The other members were stored in South Dynon until June 2020, when A60 was transferred to SRHC for preservation, and A62 went to 707 Operations at Newport. A70 remains stored. A66 has seen use with heritage operators throughout 2021.
The FA units were less fortunate. A73, A77, A81, A85, A71 and A79 were all scrapped at South Dynon in 2019 after being retired from service. A78 survives and is stored at Bendigo Workshops.
The FA units were less fortunate. A73, A77, A81, A85, A71 and A79 were all scrapped at South Dynon in 2019 after being retired from service. A78 survives and is stored at Bendigo Workshops.
A66 with charter train #8098 at Golden Square. (27/3/16)
Photo By: Brad White |
A73 with an up Geelong passenger service near Footscray. (30/11/05)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
Locomotive Status
Click on underlined Road No. for more photos
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current State |
V/line MK2 "Blood and Bone" |
VicTrack Heritage |
7 Sep 1984 - Present |
Preserved |
|
V/line MK2 "Blood and Bone" |
VicTrack Heritage |
17 Jul 1984 - Present |
Preserved |
|
V/line MK3 "Cheeseburger" |
V/line |
22 Mar 1985 - Present |
Operational |
|
V/line MK2 "Blood and Bone" |
V/line |
10 May 1985 - Present |
Stored |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
20 Mar 1984 - 2014 |
Scrapped |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
20 Mar 1984 - 2014 |
Scrapped |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
17 May 1984 - 2014 |
Scrapped |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
21 Dec 1984 - Present |
Stored |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
22 Jun 1985 - 2014 |
Scrapped |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
15 Aug 1985 - 2014 |
Scrapped |
|
Freight Australia |
Pacific National |
5 Jun 1984 - 2014 |
Scrapped |
All information sourced from Power to the Rails by John Scott, Wikipedia and Vicsig