Motive Power

Recently I published a page on the locomotive fleet on the layout. The locomotive fleet has grown by 11 locomotives in the four years since 2018. Mainline power has increased by 4 units, 2 x C class, 1 x S class, 1 x X class and 2 x B class. 

Branchline power has increased by 3 units, 2 x Y class and 1 x T class. In addition 2 W class has been added to fleet.

The balance in the fleet is about right. Although there is a need for of few more locomotives in the V//Line colours, particularly when I'm running a spring 83 or summer 83/84 timetables 

Fleet @ May 2022	Fleet @ May 2018
B class 60, 61, 65, 68, 69, 72, 81 Total 7	B class 60, 65, 69, 72, 81 Total 5
C class 501, 503, 504, 505, 507, 510 Total 6	C class 501, 503, 504, 507 Total 4
S class 300, 305, 307, 310, 311, 312, 313 Total 7	S class 300, 305, 307, 311, 312, 313 Total 6
T class 321, 331, 354, 356, 359, 367, 381, 386, 388, 401 Total 10	T class 321, 331, 354, 356, 359, 367, 381, 388, 401 Total 9
W class 243, 250 Total 2	W class
X class 31, 32, 40, 48, 50 Total 5	X class 31, 43, 44, 48 Total 4
Y class 111, 150, 151, 152, 153, 170, 175 Total 7	Y class 111, 150, 151, 152, 170 Total 5
Total 44	Total 33

So how many locomotives does it take to replicate a typical weekday through Ballarat in 1983? There was a list of observations through Ballarat recorded on the 27th May 1983. There were 44 train movements recorded on this day utilising 31 locomotives from 7 different classes. There were 8 trains that were double-headed (4 x goods - 232, 9146, 9144 and 9199, 4 x passenger - down Vinelander, up and down Overland, 8115). Many locomotives were observed twice, mostly on up and down passenger services and on the Redan and Flour Mill pilot duties (67, 72, 79, 90, 83, 94, 85, 96). My current fleet has all of the locomotive classes that were observed on this day represented, although my fleet is somewhat smaller. The balance is about right with similar proportions of the mainline locomotives (B, C, S, X). 

Some locomotives included in my fleet can be used for the full period that I operate the layout (October 1982 - January 1984), although there are some that can only be utilised when I have operating sessions for one of the seasons. 

For example B60 was in service until February 1983 when it was withdrawn and stripped of parts before being sent to South Australia for rebuilding. Therefore this locomotive can only be used for the Spring 1982 and Summer 1982/83 timetables. Other examples are:

942 (only present in Victoria for trials in Aug 83, and Oct - Nov 83.

Single ended 930s only for through running after 23rd Nov 1983.

T386, after repainting into V//Line colours in Aug 83.

X32 after repainting into V//Line colours in Nov 83.

43DRC after repainting into tea-cup colours in July 83.

Perhaps the shortest period that a locomotive can be used is Y175 in its orange and grey prior to receiving V/Line logos. It only ran in this form for a few days before the launch of V/Line on 21st August 1983.

Construction is underway for a few more T class to join the fleet. This will include models of T394 with different application of yellow on the short hood and T409 which was fitted with flaty T round headlights on the short hood. This should ensure that the layout has enough branchline locos for the coming bumper grain harvest.