P Class locomotive
P Class locomotive
The P class were rebuilt from Victorian Railways first series T class locomotives by Clyde Engineering for V/line. The rebuild involved a new cab and carbody, replacing the EMD 8-567C engine with an EMD 8-645E, replacement of the main generator and traction motors, and the inclusion a head end power (HEP) generator.
13 first series T classes would be rebuilt at Clyde Engineering's Somerton, Victoria plant to P class specifications. The rebuild involved a new cab and carbody, replacing the EMD 8-567C engine with an EMD 8-645E, replacement of the main generator and traction motors, and the inclusion of a head end power (HEP) generator.
When built, P class locomotives were most commonly used in either a push-pull mode with H type carriages or operated as single locomotives with a 3-4 carriage train. The P classes also saw use on revenue freight services. In freight service, the head end power was occasionally used for the powering of refrigerated containers.
When the freight and passenger rail divisions of V/Line were separated in 1997, the class would be split between the divisions. P 11 to P 18 would see continued use by V/line whereas P 19 to P 23 would be inherited by Freight Australia for inter-modal traffic.
P 13
P 13 commenced service in July 1984 with V/Line, spending the majority of its life with V/Line passenger services on broad gauge. P 13 spent the remainder of its career with V/Line on standard gauge supporting locomotive hauled standard gauge services to Albury.
In 2024, P 13 was purchased by Seven-0-Seven Operations to support our standard gauge operations and regularly features on our Vinelander to Mildura and Riverlander to Oaklands Slow Rail Journey tours.
P 13 is currently painted in V/Line Mk2 livery.
P 20
P 20 commenced service in July 1985 with V/Line, spending the first half of its life with V/Line. Following the split of V/Line into passenger and freight divisions in 1997, P 20 has spent the second half its life in freight operations with Freight Australia and Pacific National before retirement.
In 2023, P 20 was gifted to Seven-0-Seven Operations by Pacific National to help support our heritage passenger operations.
Over 2024, a number of return to services activities were undertaken with P 20, including remaining into their original V/Line Orange and Grey Livery.
P 20 supports Seven-0-Seven Operations’ broad gauge operations and regularly features on our day and weekend Slow Rail Journey tours.
