Failure on the Redan Pilot

On 30th April 1984, W243 on the no.85 pilot developed mechancial issues whilst shunting GY's at the Elliot and Magill Mill at Redan. Y150 was commandeered from yard pilot duties and was sent to rescue the stricken W.   Y150 completed shunting at the Elliot and Magill Mill and the W was towed back to Ballarat Yard with a rake of empty GY's. The GY's were deposited in the yard and Y150 towed W243 to Ballarat East loco where the locomotive was turned on the turntable and then pushed into the maintenance shed for repairs.

W243 failed while shunting at Elliot and Magill Mill at Redan on the 85 pilot. 

Y150 arrives from Ballarat, completes shunting at the Mill and then departs with W243 and a rake of empty GY's.

Y150 arrives back at Ballarat yard on 96 Redan pilot with W243 in tow.

Y150 shunts the GY's into Ballarat Yard, then departs towing W243 to Ballarat East Locomotive Depot.

W243 is turned on the Ballarat East turntable and is then pushed to the maintenance shed for repairs.

Although Y class had largely replaced W class on pilot duties three of the much maligned W class diesel hydraulics (W243, W250 and W260) were still active at Ballarat into 1984.

W243 sits outside the maintenance shed awaiting repairs.