With an expected increase in coal traffic from the Latrobe Valley, 90 miles east of Melbourne, the railways electrified the section and eased the gradients during the 1950's. This was part of the 'Operation Phoenix' railway rehabilitation.
Twenty five 'English Electric' locomotives were purchased which became class 'L'. They were a 2200/2400hp unit, and suffered from being too light. At the time the W&W Branch had authorised the line to Traralgon for locomotives up to 16.5 ton axle load and the L class units were ordered accordingly. Unfortunately, _B__ class diesel-electrics, with a higher axle load, had been running through as far as Sale from the early 1950's. The L class units were eventually ballasted with extra weight: steel plate added to the underfloor areas.
The expected coal traffic never eventuated and electrification removed steam from the corridor. As well, the line was regraded for better loads in the Melbourne direction. This regrading also took place through the steam days.
The first two years of service saw a few teething problems with the overhead wiring and the operation of the units. Notable were:
Operations over Hernes Oak hill regularly caused the local substation to fail
Multi-unit operation on passenger saw the trailing unit remain in dynamic brake mode until about 17mph whilst trains were powering away from stations
Dynamic brake operation on long grades saw the centre axles slowly rotate to a stop and start in reverse, powered from the electricty generated on the other traction motors
Instructions issued to ensure all trailing units were in operation, even if not required; to prevent glazing of the armatures
Flashovers caused when the power controller was shutoff and re-opened whilst at speed
The loco's were numbered 1150 - 1174. In the late 1970's some modifications were made to external cab fittings including a cab modified for better visibility.
By the mid 1980's, the engines were badly in need of overhaul and the entire overhead in need of rejuvenation. The introduction of new passenger units, class N, assisted in replacing the L class locos. The units were gradually removed from service and the line has subsequently had the overhead wires removed.
Many crews were unhappy to see the L's go, as the replacement engines, the _N__ class, never had the 'zip' of the old electrics.
For the railways, an isolated pool of locomotives were removed and the logistics of loco changes for through trains eliminated.
Some interesting electrification plans may have extended the life of these units. There was a plan to electrify between Melbourne - Geelong and Melbourne - Bendigo. In the 1970's both New South Wales and Victorian planned for electrification of the Melbourne - Sydney route.
In the late 1940's a massive project was began to regrade and electrify the line from Melbourne to Traralgon. The impetus for this program was a major expansion of the Morwell coalfields and briquette plant. At this time the VR only had 12 small electric locos so an order was placed with English Electric for 25 mainline electric locos with vastly higher horsepower than the existing E class.
The first L arrived from England in 1953 but the locos had to wait until the electrification was completed, in the meantime a few ran suburban goods service but most were stored.
The L's performed very well on passenger services but due to their light weight were always plagued by wheelslip problems in heavy freight service resulting in their load limits being reduced several times over the years. All L's were equipped with automatic staff exchangers, they were removed during 1976.
All of the L's were built at in England and shipped to Melbourne
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L1150 in VR Livery.jpg |
L1160 in V/Line Livery.jpg |
L1162 in Vline Livery.jpg |
L1162 IN VR Livery.JPG.jpg |
L1169 in Special American Texas Eagle Style livery (for Movie Set).jpg |
L251 in ATN Livery.jpg |
L265 in a Dirty Interail livery.jpg |
L265 on transfer bogies.jpg |
L270 in ATN Livery.jpg |
L270_in_Pacific_National_Livery.jpg |
L271 in Interail livery.jpg |
Lxxx_in_part_Westrail_and_part_undercoat_livery.jpg |
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