S Class locomotive

Victorian Railways were very pleased with all aspects of their B class so when it came time to order new locos they returned to Clyde for the S class which differed from the B class in having only one cab (a small "hostlers" cab was provided at the flat end for short distance, slow speed use) and a more modern engine (567C) The S class was based on the Electro-Motive Diesel F7 design and 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.

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In broad gauge service their usefullness was limited in comparison to the B class on account of having only one cab. They racked up many miles in interstate "Jet" service and on express passenger trains, such as the Overland and Southern Aurora.. 

The first order for 10 locomotives were progressively delivered between August 1957 and February 1958. The first four took the names and numbers of the recently scrapped S class steam locomotives, 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 Intercapital Daylight, Southern Aurora, Spirit of Progress and The Overland, but were also used on fast freights. On the broad gauge, they often operated in pairs, while on the standard gauge they usually ran solo. A second 'hostlers' cab was provided at the number two end, but was only used around depots, or to haul empty carriages short distances.

 

Until they were painted V/Line orange the S class changed very little over the years, the only major change was the removal of the valance around the fuel tanks.

All of the S class locomotives were built at Clyde's Granville N.S.W. plant.​

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