VR was 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 actually consist of two orders, the second order was placed in anticipation of the soon to be opened Melbourne to Albury standard gauge line. This second group (310 - 317) spent much of their early life on SG.
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 "The Overland" where they usually ran "back to back"
In standard gauge service they usually ran solo. From the opening of the SG (1962) until the arrival of the X class (1966) they were the only mainline loco class on that track. In 1969 the horrific head on collision of a down goods and the up "Southern Aurora" at Violet Town resulted in S 314 and S 316 being destroyed beyond recognition. They were the first diesel locos on VR to be scrapped.
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's were built at Clyde's Granville N.S.W. plant
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S300 in CFCLA Livery.jpg |
S300 in West Coast Railway livery.JPG.jpg |
S301 In FA livery with PN logo.jpg |
S301 In FA livery.jpg |
S301 In V/Line Livery.jpg |
S302 in a Modified WCR Livery.jpg |
S302 in VLP Livery .jpg |
S302 in WCR livery.jpg |
S303_In FA livery.jpg |
S306 In V/Line Livery.jpg |
S307 In V/Line Livery.jpg |
S308_or_Sd308 In V/Line Livery.jpg |
S310 In V/Line Livery.jpg |
S311 in WCR Livery.jpg |
S312_in_Vline_Livery.JPG |
S313 in a mix of Santa Fe and VR livery.jpg |
S313 with painted nose.jpg |
S317 in SSR Livery.jpg |
S317 in GNR Livery.jpg |
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