Volunteer group in Victoria, Australia
2007 open day at the Steamrail Victoria depot: R 711 beside an L class electric locomotive and Swing Door suburban train
Steamrail Victoria is a not-for-profit volunteer group established in 1965 to restore and operate historic locomotives and rolling stock used on the railways in Victoria , Australia .[ 1] The main depot of the group is at the Newport Workshops ('West Block') in suburban Melbourne. In addition to operating railfan special trains and charters for private groups, the group also operates special steam trains in the Melbourne suburban area.[ 2] Steamrail regularly tours the state, including participation in annual events such as the Ballarat Heritage Weekend (steam locomotive Y112 is used to shuttle between Ballarat and Sulky Gully /Lal Lal ).[ 3] Steamrail Victoria also leases diesel locomotives to freight operators such as Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR) & Qube Logistics as required. Locomotives were also hired to El Zorro until they ceased trading.[ 4] [ 5] [ 6]
The group has custody of a number of Victorian Railways steam locomotives , including the R , D3 and K classes ; in addition to several diesel electric locomotives, and various suburban electric rolling stock.[ 7] Heritage carriages include the wooden 'E' and 'W' types , steel air conditioned 'S' type carriages, and South Australian 'K' type steel stock .
Number
Image
Year built
Builder
Status
Max Speed km/h Metro Network
Max Speed km/h
Notes
A2 986
1915
Newport Workshops
Operational
80
80
Re-entered service on 13 May 2017 after a 30-year restoration
D3 608
1908
Stored
95
95
Stored at Ballarat East
D3 638
1916
D3 639/658
1903
Operational
Restored in 1984. Painted in the Victorian Railways Commissioner's Loco livery (black and red). Occasionally runs with its original number D3 658
D3 641
1915
Stored
Stored at Ballarat East
D3 677
1917
Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block).
D3 688
1912
Stored at Ballarat East
K151
1940
80
80
Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block).
K153
Operational
Restored in 1983. As of May 2023, it is running with K140's plates.
K183
1943
Originally restored in 1992, suffered damage in a level crossing accident at Benalla in October 2002 and was stored at Newport Workshops East Block until June 30, 2020 when it was transferred to Steamrail's workshops.[ 8] After an assessment on the condition of the engine, Steamrail have decided to restore the locomotive to mainline operating standard.[ 9] On October 7, 2021, K183 made its first mainline appearance since 2002 performing several test runs on the Newport–Sunshine line .[ 10] K183 officially returned to service on April 24, 2022.
K184
1945
Stored for future long term restoration
Stored at Newport Workshops (East Block). Was used on heritage services with Steamrail Victoria through the 1970s, painted all over gloss black with red frames and buffer beams.[ 11] The engine was withdrawn in 1980 due to poor mechanical condition.[ 12]
K190
1946
Operational
Restored in 1979. Painted in a LMS inspired livery.
R700
1951
North British Locomotive Company , Glasgow
Stored for future long term restoration
100
115
Stored at Newport Workshops (West Block). Partially cosmetically restored for the 2020 Steamrail Open Days.
R711
Operational
Restored by West Coast Railway in 1998. Entered service with Steamrail in 2012. Currently the only mainline certified oil-burner in Victoria
R761
1952
Restored in 1985
Y112
1889
Phoenix Foundry , Ballarat
Out of Traffic, Overhaul
60
60
Restored in 1996. Occasionally runs with its original number Y419. Based at Ballarat East. Withdrawn from service in May 2022 to receive new driving wheels and tires.[ 13]
Electric rolling stock [ edit ]
Number
Image
Year built
Builder
Status
Max Speed km/h
Notes
E1106
1929
VR Newport and Jolimont Workshops
Non-operational
65
Stored at Newport.
E1108
E1109
Formerly Under restoration.
L1160
1953
English Electric
Non operational
115
L1162
Operational
Stored at Newport pending equipment upgrades for mainline accreditation
L1169
1954
Non operational.
Stored at Newport. Used as a prop for 2007 Film Ghost Rider with "Texas Eagle" paint job. Repainted to Indian Railways livery in 2021 for TV Series Shantaram .
Swing Door electrics [ edit ]
Swing Door (train)
Number
Image
Year built as carriage
Year converted to Electric car
Builder (Electric)
Status
Max Speed km/h
Notes
107 M
1888 as 85 AA
1920
Newport Workshops
Destroyed
80
Destroyed in fire at Newport Workshops in 2015.
137 M
1907 as 22 BDBD
93 M
1889 as 110 AA
1919
Under Restoration
Under Restoration after being recovered from paddock in Mooroopna in 2017.
113 M
1888 as 35 AA
1920
Stored
Former Jolimont Workshops Pilot
156 M
1900 as 2 BDBD
1917
24 D
1904 as 72 ABAB
1923
Destroyed
Destroyed in fire at Newport Workshops in 2015.
12 BT
1890 as 173 AA
1919
Tait (train)
Number
Image
Year built as carriage
Year converted to Electric car
Builder (Electric)
Status
Max Speed km/h
Notes
2 CM
-
1921
Newport Workshops
Stored
80
Parcels motor
317 M
-
1917
Operational
267 M
-
Stored
284 M
-
1918
327 M
1915 as 52 BCP
1921
Under Restoration
381 M
-
1918
Operational
470 M
1915 as 25 BCP
1921
Under Restoration
Unique double end configuration.
230 D
1910 as 3 ACP
1922
Operational
257 D
1913 as 30 ACP
Stored
208 T
1910 as 8 AP
1919
Operational
341 T
1913 as 55 BP
1922
Operational
48 G
-
1924
Stored
Dual lighting (Gas/Electric)
Passenger Carriages [ edit ]
E cars
Carriage
Image
Year built
Colour
Max Speed km/h
Notes
3 ABE
15 August 1908
Red and Gold
80
First / Second Class - Compartment Style - Half Carpet Floor
7 ABE
30 June 1909
Red
First / Second Class - Compartment Style - Kiosk
12 AE
28 August 1908
Blue and gold
First Class - Compartment Style - Air Conditioning
1 BCE
10 February 1910
Red
Guards Van / Second Class - Compartment Style
5 BCE
23 December 1909
Guards Van / Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
2 BE
28 August 1906
Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
3 BE
31 October 1906
4 BE
31 October 1906
Blue and gold
Second Class - Compartment Style - Air Conditioning. Stored
17 BE
15 August 1908
Red
Second Class - Compartment Style
25 BE
16 July 1909
38 BE
3 December 1910
46 BE
3 March 1910
Second Class - Compartment Style - Carpet Floor
18 CE
24 February 1911
Blue and gold
Guards Van
1 HW
19 December 1910
Red
Weedex Crew Car - Formerly 37 AE - Stored
Short W cars (U cars) | Long W cars
Carriage
Image
Year built
Colour
Max Speed km/h
Notes
32 ABU
2 April 1914
Red
80
First / Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
40 ABU
25 June 1914
25 AW
5 July 1918
First Class - Compartment Style - Stored
64 AW
8 April 1927
Red and gold
First Class - Compartment Style
60 BW
1 October 1926
Second Class - Compartment Style
61 BW
30 July 1926
Second Class - Compartment Style - On loan to the VGR
63 BW
9 July 1926
Red
67 BW
13 April 1927
Red and Gold
Second Class - Compartment Style
68 BW
12 April 1927
70 BW
8 July 1927
Red
Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
71 BW
18 June 1926
80 BW
23 April 1926
Brown
Second Class - Compartment Style - On loan to the VGR
14 CW
18 January 1914
Red
Guards Van
K cars
Carriage
Image
Year built
Colour
Max Speed km/h
Gauge
Notes
500 AK
5 December 1936
Blue and gold
115
SG
First Class - Compartment Style
502 AK
17 February 1937
Blue and gold
SG
First Class - Compartment Style
600 BK
19 December 1936
Blue and gold
BG
Second Class - Compartment Style
603 BK
11 May 1937
Blue and gold
SG
Second Class - Compartment Style
604 BK
23 July 1937
Blue and gold
SG
Second Class - Compartment Style
605 BK
24 August 1937
Blue and gold
SG
Second Class - Compartment Style
700 BK
9 July 1940
Blue and gold
BG
Second Class - Saloon Style
702 BK
13 August 1940
Blue and gold
BG
Second Class - Saloon Style
703 BK
28 August 1940
Explorer
BG
Second Class - Saloon Style - Stored Fire Damaged
711 BK
19 July 1941
West Coast Railway
BG
Second Class - Saloon Style - Stored Fire Damaged
751 AK
29 June 1942
ANR
BG
Second Class - Saloon Style - Stored. Numbered BE 358
782 AK
19 March 1942
ANR
BG
Second Class - Saloon Style - Stored
S cars
Carriage
Image
Year built
Colour
Max Speed km/h
Notes
5 AS
14 November 1937
Blue and gold
115
First Class - Compartment Style
8 AS
14 May 1940
11 AS
22 March 1949
9 BRS
2 December 1948
Red and silver
Second Class - Compartment Style - Buffet
14 BRS
14 December 1956
Blue and gold
2 BS
14 November 1937
Second Class - Compartment Style
N cars
Carriage
Image
Year built
Colour
Max Speed km/h
Notes
ACN 24
7 June 1982
PTV
115
First Class with Guards Compartment - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge
BRN 34
17 December 1982
Economy Class with Buffet - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge
BN 7
18 December 1981
Economy Class - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge
BN 10
19 February 1982
Economy Class - Saloon Style - Standard Gauge
V cars
Carriage
Image
Year built
Colour
Max Speed km/h
Notes
1 AV
16 June 1897
Red
65
First Class - Compartment Style - Stored
32 AV
26 October 1899
7 BV
29 March 1898
Second Class - Compartment Style - Stored
18 BV
31 August 1899
12 BL
30 June 1893
Second Class - End Platform Compartment Style with Saloon - Stored. 'Enterprise'
13 BL
30 June 1893
Second Class - End Platform Compartment Style with Saloon - Stored. 'Pioneer'
Carriage
Image
Year built
Colour
Max Speed km/h
Notes
Moorabool
1 June 1939
Blue and gold
115
Club / Dance Car
601 Tweed
2 March 1937
Blue and gold
Dining Car - Standard Gauge
607 Richmond
24 November 1937
Blue and gold
Dining Car
SJ 282 Tantini
7 March 1950
Overland Maroon
Roomette Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
SJ 283 Weroni
9 December 1950
V/Line Orange (Vinelander)
Twinette Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
269 BZ Hobsons Bay
4 December 1958
Blue and gold
Multifunction/Dance Car
Goulburn
23 November 1908
Red and gold
80
Twinshare Sleeping Car (SRV Crew Car)
Inman
22 August 1923
Red
Twinshare Sleeping Car
Coliban
22 August 1923
Red
Twinshare Sleeping Car
Indi
14 April 1928
Blue and gold
Twinshare Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
Werribee
14 April 1928
Blue and gold
Twinshare Sleeping Car - Air Conditioning
24 CP
3 February 1958
Blue
115
Guards Van - Standard Gauge
291 CP
28 April 1958
Maroon
Guards Van
292 PCP
17 September 1957
Blue and gold
Power Van
PCJ 491
18 September 1970
Silver
Power Van
Carey
26 August 1901
Blue and Gold
80
Shower Car (former Horsebox)
VZVF 1
16 May 1955
Black
95
Water Tank Wagon - 33640L Capacity
VOAF 9
5 July 1927
Red
Bogie Open Wagon for Coal Transport - 45t Capacity
VOBX 244
24 September 1969
Red and Gold
Bogie Open Wagon for Coal Transport - 51t Capacity
WT 49
16 July 1902
Red
65
Water Tank Wagon - 9000L Capacity