Even though VR seemed happy with its Clyde/EMD products, in 1958 VR accepted a tender from Tullochs Ltd for the supply of 25 diesel hydraulic shunting locos. Features of the locos were a Mercedes Benz diesel engine and Krupp transmissions. It is believed that all of the W's were delivered with dual controls which were removed after union pressure early in their lives. Up until about 1962 they ran Werribee passenger trains at a maximum speed of 40 MPH, they were also trialled on Bacchus Marsh passenger trains without success. As delivered they made a transition to obtain the higher speed.
The Mercedes Benz engines proved maintenence intensive and at least 10 W's were fitted with GM diesel engines from 1973 until 1977. These locos could be indentified by an extra exhaust stack.
W 266 was built as a demonstrator for NSWGR and numbered 7101, it and W 267 were delivered and operated on the standard gauge. (All other W's were strictly Broad Gauge) They were the first two locomotives of an additional order for 25 more W's.
The W's saw service mainly around Melbourne yard, Tottenham yard, Ballarat, Geelong, Ararat and Seymour yards. They also ran small, local goods trains around the Ballarat area. By the mid 80's they were all out of service.
All of the W's were built at Tulloch's N.S.W. plant
Between 1959 and 1962 the railways purchased some diesel hydraulic shunting locomotives. The locomotives were classed W and numbered 241 - 267.
Number 267 was an ex NSW demonstrator and when purchased remained on the standard guage at South Dynon.
The W's were built by Tulloch in NSW. They were 0-6-0 wheel arrangement. They featured Mercedes-Benz 4 stroke prime movers. As breakdowns were frequent, ten locomotives were fitted with GM diesel prime movers 1973 - 1977.
Most units were allocated to the Melbourne Metro area in shunting duties; Tottenham Yard, Brooklyn cattle sidings, Spencer St Passenger Yard to name a few. Some were allocated to country depots: Traralgon, Seymour and Geelong. Breakdowns saw them confined to Melbourne area mainly.
They were very rough when travelling at speed. In the late 1960's they saw service on Werribee passenger trains.
Most were out of service by the late 1980's.
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W241 in VR Livery.jpg |
W243 in VR Livery.jpg |
W244 in Elzorro liver also Ex V/Line livery.jpg |
W244 in VR Livery.JPG.jpg |
W255 in VR Livery.JPG.jpg |
W260_in_VR_Livery.jpg |
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