Victorian Railways B class (diesel)

B class diesel locomotives

Company type	Diesel-electric locomotive class
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	1952
Founder	Clyde Engineering
Headquarters	Granville , Australia
Products	Diesel-electric locomotives

The B class diesel locomotives were constructed by Clyde Engineering at Granville for Victorian Railways during the period from 1952 to 1953. As the inaugural diesel units procured by Victorian Railways, they were instrumental in advancing the network’s transition from steam to diesel power, serving both freight and passenger duties. A number of these locomotives remain operational today, either preserved or still generating revenue. Some were subsequently transformed into the V/Line A class, while others have been withdrawn and dismantled.

History

The B class represented Victorian Railways’ first mainline diesel locomotives. Their design drew inspiration from Electro-Motive Diesel’s renowned F-unit series, characterized by the iconic bulldog nose and streamlined cabs positioned at each end.

Inception

Following World War II, Victorian Railways grappled with significant underfunding and heavy usage stemming from the Great Depression and wartime demands. Chief Mechanical Engineer Ahlston examined international railway recovery approaches: Britain maintained a steam focus, France invested in electrification, and the United States advanced modern diesel models such as EMD’s E and F units. However, EMD’s axle load exceeded Victorian track limits, and foreign exchange controls prevented direct importation of American diesels. As a result, £80 million was designated under Operation Phoenix for steam locomotive upgrades and electrification projects predominantly utilizing British-built or imported machinery.

To comply with axle load restrictions, a Co-Co six-axle configuration was essential. By 1949, EMD engineer Dick Dilworth identified potential markets for lighter axle load locomotives globally. Clyde Engineering’s Frank Shea successfully negotiated a local manufacturing agreement with EMD to circumvent currency limitations. The order for the B Class was finalized in 1951, with the first unit arriving on 14 July 1952.

Into service

Comprising 26 locomotives, the B class operated across Victoria’s broad gauge network, managing principal passenger services and express freight trains. Their deployment led to accelerated schedules and widespread steam locomotive withdrawals. A notable event was Queen Elizabeth’s journey behind B60 during her 1954 royal visit.

Despite costing £80 per horsepower compared to £60 for steam engines, these diesels averaged 130,000 miles annually—significantly surpassing steam’s 35,000 to 60,000 miles. The Chief Engineers Office determined that one B class locomotive could replace three steam engines. This achievement encouraged further diesel adoption with the introduction of T class branch line units in 1955 and single-cab S class mainline locomotives in 1957.

Demise, reactivation and preservation

During the 1980s New Deal aimed at revitalizing regional passenger services, B class units underwent rebuilding with updated traction systems to become A class locomotives. Clyde Engineering won the contract in January 1983; the first refurbished unit entered service in May 1984. However, escalating expenses caused by structural fatigue led to project termination in mid-1985 after only eleven conversions.

Simultaneously, newer high-powered locomotives such as N class passenger units and G class freight models were introduced. V/Line progressively withdrew remaining B class units from service starting in 1982, with some scrapped. In the early 1990s, West Coast Railway acquired six units for Melbourne–Warrnambool operations. By 2002, B61 and B76 had been fitted with dual marker and ditch lights plus shunter’s steps; B65 received West Coast Railway’s simplified freight livery but no mechanical upgrades.

In May 2004, stress fractures were discovered in several B class underframes, including those owned by West Coast Railway. After West Coast Railway ceased operations in August 2004, these locomotives were sold to Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia (CFCLA) for refurbishment. Some were converted to standard gauge to extend their use into New South Wales. The Seymour Railway Heritage Centre maintains B74 as an operational preserved example—the only preserved unit still active.

B75 was returned to service in 2014 under Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR), adorned in CRL red, yellow, silver, and black livery. SSR later acquired CFCLA (now RailFirst Asset Management) units B76 and B80 in 2022 and reinstated them into operation. As of May 2024, SSR runs B61 (currently undergoing major engine repairs) and B75 on standard gauge tracks; meanwhile, B76 and B80 remain active on Victoria’s broad gauge lines. Following a significant engine failure, B65 is stored at North Bendigo workshops.

In February 2024, Steamrail’s B72 moved independently for the first time since its withdrawal in 1986. Its restoration was completed with full VicRail teacup livery unveiling on March 7 after previous appearances in various mixed color schemes.

Fleet summary

Key:	Currently Active	Decommissioned	Preserved Units	Modified	Dismantled

B83 B84 B85

Number	Designation	Service Start	Service End	Distance (km)	Present Owner	Former Owners	Condition
B60	Harold W Clapp	1952-07-14	1983-02-11	5,669,690	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Transformed into A60, renamed Sir Harold Clapp, kept by SRHC
B61	Bernie Baker	1952-08-18			Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SG)	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line, West Coast Railway	Operational in Streamliners 2016 livery
B62		1952-09-08	1983-10-28	5,541,730	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Converted to A62, preserved by 707 Operations
B63		1952-10-07		5,918,480	VicTrack Heritage; assigned to Steamrail Victoria	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Stored at Newport facility
B64		1952-10-27		5,989,509	Receivership – Hoskins Hurst	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Dismantled at Bendigo Workshops in 2025
B65		1952-11-17			Southern Shorthaul Railroad	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line, West Coast Railway	'Auscision Models' livery; scrapped at North Bendigo in 2025
B66		1952-12-08	1984-05-11	5,169,500	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Altered to A66
B67		1952-12-22	1984-10-18	5,217,740	Scrapped	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Removed from service April 1988; one front section held privately
B68		1953-02-02	1985-11-19	5,217,740	Scrapped	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Dismantled April 1988; one nose preserved in Geelong
B69		1953-02-22	1984-05-	5,283,950	Scrapped	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Broken up June 1992
B70		1953-03-23	1984-06-03	4,967,250	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line, Southern Shorthaul Railroad	Converted into A70
B71	1953-04-13	1984-07-	4,754,520	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Transformed to A71 (scrapped 2019)
B72	1953-05-14	1986-02-01	4,754,520	Steamrail Victoria	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Currently under restoration
B73	1953-05-25	1981-11-17	4,575,930	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail	Converted to A73 (scrapped 2019)
B74	J.A. Hearsch	1953-06-15	Since 1988 - active preservation status	4,754,520	VicTrack Heritage; assigned to Seymour Railway Heritage Centre	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Preserved and operational; main line certified; name applied after preservation
B75	1953-07-06	1992-10 - active	4,754,520	Southern Shorthaul Railroad (from 2011) (BG)	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line, West Coast Railway (for parts), Great Northern Rail Services (~2002), privately owned by Yarra Valley Railway members	In operational use
B76		1953-07-27			Southern Shorthaul Railroad	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line, West Coast Railway, Rail First Asset Management	Currently stored
B77	1953-08-17	1982-09-17	4,808,610	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Converted to A77 (scrapped 2019)
B78	1953-09-07	1984-02-29	4,853,800	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Altered to become A78
B79	1953-09-28	1984-06-18	4,992,440	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Converted into A79 (scrapped 2019)
B80		1953-10-09		4,754,520	Southern Shorthaul Railroad	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line, West Coast Railway, Rail First Asset Management	Active service
B81	1953-11-09	1984-08-15	4,944,760	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Converted to A81 (scrapped 2019)
B82	1953-11-30	1988-05-23		Scrapped	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Dismantled August 1996
1953–12–21	1988–05		VicTrack Heritage; assigned to Newport Railway Museum	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Preserved as a static exhibit at Newport Railway Museum
1954–01–18	1988–05–23		Scrapped	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Dismantled May 1992
1954–02–22	1983–03–13	4,610,040	Modified	Victorian Railways, VicRail, V/Line	Altered to V/Line A class A85 (scrapped 2019)

Further reading

• Peter Bermingham, The ML2 narrative: chronicles of the Victorian Railways' renowned B Class diesel-electric locomotive, Railway Traction Research Group, 1982, ISBN 0-959839-29-1