Written By: Alex Thorn
Photos By: Chris Nuthall and Alex Thorn
Page Last Updated: 26/9/20
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Locomotive Info:
Type: Electric Number Built: 25 Preserved - 2 Stored - 2 Scrapped - 21 Loco Length: 17.98 meters Weight: 98 tonnes Engine: EE Horsepower: 2400 Max Speed: 121 km/h |
Liveries worn by L Classes |
After the end of World War 2, demand for briquettes grew in Melbourne to power local industry when NSW and Victorian black coal became scarce. Coal fields in the Latrobe Valley had expanded too and the most efficient option to transport this commodity to Melbourne was by rail. From the late 1940’s into the 1950’s, the Gippsland railway line underwent huge upgrades which included duplication and full electrification as far as Traralgon.
L1150 with a down Traralgon service passing Jolimont. (12/9/84)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
L1160-L1156-L1159-L1162 on an Orbost Goods at Port Melbourne. (3/4/87)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
With a heavily upgraded line in the works, a new electric locomotive was required to be used on it. The Victorian Railways began looking for a design. A suitable design to meet requirements was agreed upon with English Electric, being a bi-directional 2,400hp express and freight locomotive. An order for 17 locomotives was placed at the Dick, Kerr & Co works in Preston, UK. The order was later increased to 25 engines.
Economic depression heavily affected the line upgrade in Gippsland, however class leader L1150 had already undertaken test runs in the UK and was ready for shipment. It arrived at the Port of Melbourne on the 28th January 1953 and was trialled soon after with load testing among other tests. The unit, as well as all future units were delivered in full Victorian Railways blue and gold livery. By August of the same year, 10 units were in service and the Gippsland electrification had yet to be finished. As a result, the locomotives found work elsewhere. Subsequent deliveries were stored in Newport Workshops until the line was complete.
Finally on the 21st July 1953, the line to Warragul had been completed and services utilising the L class began. The L’s had the main role on the line, operating the Gippslander and coal trains. The branch from Spotswood to the Newport power station was also electrified providing greater efficiency. In March 1956, the line to Traralgon had been finished and trains using L class electric began working there.
Economic depression heavily affected the line upgrade in Gippsland, however class leader L1150 had already undertaken test runs in the UK and was ready for shipment. It arrived at the Port of Melbourne on the 28th January 1953 and was trialled soon after with load testing among other tests. The unit, as well as all future units were delivered in full Victorian Railways blue and gold livery. By August of the same year, 10 units were in service and the Gippsland electrification had yet to be finished. As a result, the locomotives found work elsewhere. Subsequent deliveries were stored in Newport Workshops until the line was complete.
Finally on the 21st July 1953, the line to Warragul had been completed and services utilising the L class began. The L’s had the main role on the line, operating the Gippslander and coal trains. The branch from Spotswood to the Newport power station was also electrified providing greater efficiency. In March 1956, the line to Traralgon had been finished and trains using L class electric began working there.
L1160-L1156-L1159-L1162 on an Orbost goods at Richmond. (3/4/87)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
L1162 with a heritage special at Victoria Park. (20/9/98)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
The L class began working across much of the suburban electrified system throughout the 1950’s. A lot of this was suburban goods work. Into the 1960’s, briquette traffic was down, and so was the cost of diesel. This caused discussion surrounding the future of the Ls. Regardless, the Ls continued in service for much longer than this point.
In 1976, L1171 had a one off modification applied to its cabs, lowering the nose to attempt to overcome short distance sight issues experienced on L class by drivers. The modification was success, but no other member of the class received it.
In 1981, the first of the L class were withdrawn. L1151, L1153, L1156, L1162 and L1174 were all stored at Newport Workshops. The latter three were eventually overhauled and re-entered service. VicRail had also entered the rail scene at this time, and L1150 was chosen to be repainted into the striking ‘Teacup’ orange and silver livery. In 1983, VicRail became V/line. L1156 was selected to be painted into the all-over orange V/line livery which was later modified to have grey painted along the side of the locomotive.
In 1976, L1171 had a one off modification applied to its cabs, lowering the nose to attempt to overcome short distance sight issues experienced on L class by drivers. The modification was success, but no other member of the class received it.
In 1981, the first of the L class were withdrawn. L1151, L1153, L1156, L1162 and L1174 were all stored at Newport Workshops. The latter three were eventually overhauled and re-entered service. VicRail had also entered the rail scene at this time, and L1150 was chosen to be repainted into the striking ‘Teacup’ orange and silver livery. In 1983, VicRail became V/line. L1156 was selected to be painted into the all-over orange V/line livery which was later modified to have grey painted along the side of the locomotive.
L1156-B84 in fresh V/line Orange paint at Dynon. (20/8/83)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
L1150 in Teacup livery in Dynon. (20/2/83)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
On February 19th of 1984, L1164 was written off after T410 collided with it after the electric was experiencing mechanical problems near Moe. The T ironically had been sent to rescue the train. Despite the L being repairable, the decision not to was made. In 1985, L1163 derailed and rolled down an embankment while hauling a passenger train at Drouin also writing this engine off. By 1986, the decision had been made to discontinue L class locomotives from service in Gippsland, replacing them with diesel power. New N class locomotives were the direct replacement of the Ls. The overhead system on the Gippsland line was also at the end of its lifetime and no justification could be found to replace it. The final passenger service utilising rostered L class electrics was the 10 00 up Traralgon on the 14th February 1987. On Saturday 13th June, V/line gave permission for L1150 and L1162 to work the 12 27 Traralgon service. Goods services using Ls also ceased soon after.
Locos were stored in South Dynon, North Melbourne and Newport and by 1990, 21 members had been scrapped. A small handful were retained for preservation however, with L1150 being placed in the ARHS North Williamstown museum in late 1990. L1160, L1162 and L1169 were all given to Steamrail with L1169 only being utilised for parts. L1162 would have been considered the most active, being used on various heritage trips including to Warragul in 1998. It had still been wearing a faded V/line livery but was repainted into VR livery in 2004. Due to the lack of accreditation, no L has seen mainline use throughout the 2000’s. L1169 was repainted into ‘Texas Eagle’ livery for use in the movie ‘Ghost Rider’ and is used as spare parts for the other L. Today, no L has moved for a number of years, L1162 is the closest to being operational, but mechanical problems have stopped that from happening.
Locos were stored in South Dynon, North Melbourne and Newport and by 1990, 21 members had been scrapped. A small handful were retained for preservation however, with L1150 being placed in the ARHS North Williamstown museum in late 1990. L1160, L1162 and L1169 were all given to Steamrail with L1169 only being utilised for parts. L1162 would have been considered the most active, being used on various heritage trips including to Warragul in 1998. It had still been wearing a faded V/line livery but was repainted into VR livery in 2004. Due to the lack of accreditation, no L has seen mainline use throughout the 2000’s. L1169 was repainted into ‘Texas Eagle’ livery for use in the movie ‘Ghost Rider’ and is used as spare parts for the other L. Today, no L has moved for a number of years, L1162 is the closest to being operational, but mechanical problems have stopped that from happening.
L1167 in the sheds in Dynon. (26/8/83)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
L1162 leads a light engine to Port Melbourne in South Melbourne. (3/4/87)
Photo By: Chris Nuthall |
Locomotive Status
Road No. |
Livery |
Owner |
Service Life |
Current State |
VR Blue and Gold |
ARHS - Vic |
21 Apr 1953 - 13 Jun 1987 |
Preserved - Static |
|
L1151 |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
24 May 1953 - 29 Jun 1982 |
Scrapped |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
29 Apr 1953 - 9 Oct 1986 |
Scrapped |
|
L1153 |
V/line Orange |
V/line |
27 Jun 1953 - 17 Nov 1982 |
Scrapped |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
12 Jun 1953 - 6 Oct 1986 |
Scrapped |
|
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
29 Jun 1953 - 28 Oct 1986 |
Scrapped |
|
V/line Orange |
V/line |
7 Aug 1953 - 11 Jun 1987 |
Scrapped |
|
L1157 |
VR Blue and Gold |
VicTrack Heritage |
23 Jul 1953 - 7 Feb 1987 |
Stored |
L1158 |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
30 Jul 1953 - 18 May 1987 |
Scrapped |
V/line Orange |
VicTrack Heritage |
12 Aug 1953 - 22 Apr 1987 |
Preserved |
|
V/line Orange |
V/line |
23 Aug 1953 - 13 Jun 1987 |
Scrapped |
|
L1161 |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
1 Oct 1953 - 11 Mar 1987 |
Scrapped |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
4 Oct 1953 - 15 Jun 1987 |
Stored |
|
L1163 |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
23 Oct 1953 - 5 Feb 1985 |
Scrapped |
L1164 |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
20 Nov 1953 - 19 Feb 1984 |
Scrapped |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
20 Dec 1953 - 3 Mar 1987 |
Scrapped |
|
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
26 Jan 1954 - 4 Mar 1987 |
Scrapped |
|
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
9 Feb 1954 - 21 Nov 1984 |
Scrapped |
|
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
18 Feb 1954 - 2 Nov 1986 |
Scrapped |
|
Texas Eagle |
VicTrack Heritage |
25 Mar 1954 - 13 Jun 1987 |
Stored |
|
L1170 |
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
9 May 1954 - 19 Oct 1986 |
Scrapped |
Vicrail Orange |
V/line |
26 Apr 1954 - 11 Sep 1986 |
Scrapped |
|
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
26 Jul 1954 - 27 May 1987 |
Scrapped |
|
VR Blue and Gold |
V/line |
1 Jun 1954 - Dec 1986 |
Scrapped |
|
V/line Orange |
V/line |
3 Aug 1954 - May 1987 |
Scrapped |
All information sourced from Wikipedia and Vicsig