V/Line P class


The P class are a class of diesel locomotives rebuilt from T class locomotives by Clyde Engineering, Somerton for V/Line in 1984–1985.

History

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 generator.
In the early 1980s, V/line were looking to modernize Victorian passenger services. with the intended introduction of H type carriages, V/line needed a locomotive to pull them. it was decided that it was more economical to rebuild existing locomotives to modern specifications then completely new locomotives. V/line decided to rebuild first-series T Class locomotives to modern specifications. The reasons behind this were that the T class locomotives had become life expired and the frames of the locomotives had ample space to mount a 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 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.
By September 2017, all of V/Line's P class locomotives had been withdrawn from regular passenger service, having been replaced by the VLocity diesel multiple units. In 2019, Southern Shorthaul Railroad acquired five P class locomotives from V/Line. Initially the acquired units remained in V/Line livery, but with the V/Line logos removed and replaced with the SSR logo. Starting in 2022 the 5 units SSR had acquired at the time would be progressively repainted into the SSR Yellow and Black livery, with all units being painted by late 2023. Up until November 2024 V/Line had retained P12, P13 and P15 for use as standby and for-hire locomotives. However SSR has since also acquired P12 and 15 and 707 Operations acquired P13 from V/Line for preservation, marking the end of any P class locomotives being under V/Line ownership. As of 2025 Ettamogah Rail Hub has three P class locomotives stored, 2 of which were leased to Seymour Railway Heritage Centre where they were reactivated and painted into the Victorian Railways blue and yellow paint scheme, and SRHC has since acquired P19 from ERH for preservation. P20 has also gone into preservation with 707 Operations, having been donated the locomotive by Pacific National in January 2024.

Status table

Key:In ServiceStoredPreservedConvertedUnder OverhaulScrapped

LocomotivePre-conversionEntered service Re-entered service OwnerCurrent liveryCurrent statusGaugeNotes
P11T3369 May 19565 June 1984V/Line, V/Line Passenger, Southern Shorthaul Railroad Weekly Operational Notice 14/2019, p. 33V/Line Mk3Stored, North Bendigo1,600 mm broad gaugeRan the last V/Line Sunbury passenger and Leongatha freight trains
P12T32918 June 19567 June 1984V/Line, V/Line Passenger, Southern Shorthaul Railroad V/Line Mk3In Service1,600 mm broad gaugeRan 707ops charter with R707 & P15 26 November 2023
P13T34030 October 195610 July 1984V/Line, V/Line Passenger, 707 Operations V/Line Mk2Preserved - Operational1,435 mm standard gaugeOwnership transferred to 707 Operations in November 2024
P14T3302 July 19561 August 1984V/Line, V/Line Passenger, Southern Shorthaul Railroad SSR Yellow and BlackIn service1,600 mm broad gauge
P15T3449 December 195622 October 1984V/Line, V/Line Passenger, Southern Shorthaul Railroad V/Line Mk3In Service1,600 mm broad gaugeRan 707ops Charter with R707 & P12 26 Dec 23
P16T33222 July 195623 November 1984V/Line, V/Line Passenger, Southern Shorthaul Railroad SSR Yellow and BlackIn service1,600 mm broad gauge
P17T32728 May 195619 December 1984V/Line, V/Line Passenger, Southern Shorthaul Railroad SSR Yellow and BlackIn service1,600 mm broad gauge
P18T3397 October 195615 February 1985V/Line, V/Line Passenger, Southern Shorthaul Railroad SSR Yellow and BlackIn service1,600 mm broad gaugeRan both the last V/Line Leongatha and Sunbury passenger trains.
P19T3312 July 195626 March 1985V/Line, V/Line Freight, FV/FA, PN, Ettamogah Rail Hub, Seymour Railway Heritage Centre Freight Australia Green and Yellow with Pacific National LogosStored1,600 mm broad gaugeAcquired by SRHC from Ettamogah Rail Hub for preservation in February 2025
P20T33723 September 195629 May 1985V/Line, V/Line Freight, FV/FA, PN, 707 Operations V/Line Orange and GreyPreserved - Operational1,600 mm broad gaugeNoted as having revolving quartz halogen lights added at each end. Donated to 707 Operations in 2023 and returned to service on 14 September 2024.
P21T33823 September 195627 June 1985V/Line, V/Line Freight, FV/FA, PN, Ettamogah Rail Hub, Southern Shorthaul Railroad Freight Australia Green and Yellow with Pacific National LogosIn service1,600 mm broad gauge
P22T32818 June 195611 September 1985V/Line, V/Line Freight, FV/FA, PN, Seymour Rail Heritage Centre, Ettamogah Rail Hub, Southern Shorthaul Railroad VR Blue and GoldIn service1,600 mm broad gauge
P23T32628 May 195611 September 1985V/Line, V/Line Freight, FV/FA, PN, Seymour Rail Heritage Centre, Ettamogah Rail Hub, Southern Shorthaul Railroad VR Blue and GoldIn service1,600 mm broad gauge