The Victorian Railways F class was originally a class of light line passenger locomotives operated by the Victorian Railways between 1874 and 1929.
History Classed 'F' in 1886.
Production The pattern engine was constructed by Beyer, Peacock & Company in 1874. An order for 20 more locomotives of this design was placed 2 years later with the Phoenix Foundry in Ballarat, with 10 built in 1876–77 and a further 10 in 1879–80. They were originally supplied with four-wheeled tenders, but were eventually provided with larger six-wheeled ones which increased their water capacity to .
Regular service In early life they were mainly used on the main lines radiating form Ballarat and Ararat. By 1894, 3 were allotted to Geelong, 5 to Ararat, 3 to Ballarat, 2 to Seymour, 2 to Benalla, 2 to Princes Bridge, and 4 to Sale.
Design improvements All were reboilered between 1902-12, along with the T class, to a new common, larger boiler type.
2-4-2T motors In 1910-11, the Victorian Railways decided to convert seven of them into "motor" locomotives for use in outer suburban areas. The tenders were removed and they became 2-4-2 tanks. They kept their numbers 172–184 (evens only).
Accidents 10 November 1878 - F98 ran through the end on the engine shed at Dunolly 26 July 1881 - F98 collided with H160 at Beaufort ? - F142 in collision at Creswick 11 March 1897 - F172 derailed at Cannon Hill near Warrnambool
Withdrawal The un-rebuilt tender engines were taken off register between 1916 and 1924, and the "motors" were taken off between 1920 and 1929. F184 was sold to Earlston, Cranbourne for £750. One of the 2-4-2T class survives, number 176, having been sold to the Sunshine Harvester Works in 1920 for £1500, where was used as a shunter until 1961. It was then donated to the Newport Railway Museum, and is the oldest surviving Victorian Railway locomotive, having been built in 1880.
Fleet summary Key:In ServicePreservedStored or WithdrawnScrapped
Locomotive Builder No. Entered service Converted to 2-4-2T Withdrawn ScrappedStatus Notes F98 1267 - Scrapped F126 28 - Scrapped F128 30 - Scrapped F130 31 - Scrapped F132 33 - Scrapped F134 34 - Scrapped F136 35 - Scrapped F138 36 - Scrapped F140 37 - Scrapped F142 38 - Scrapped F144 39 - Scrapped F166 55 - Scrapped F168 56 - Scrapped F170 57 - Scrapped F172 58 1910-11 Scrapped F174 59 1910-11 Scrapped F176 61 1910-11 Sold to Sunshine Harvester Works. Donated to Museum. Display F178 62 1910-11 Scrapped F180 63 1910-11 Scrapped F182 60 1910-11 Scrapped F184 64 1910-11 Sold to Earlston, Cranbourne
External links Victorian Preserved Steam Locomotives detailed information about all surviving ex-VR steam locos. Diagram of 2-4-0 F class locomotive Diagram of 2-4-2T F class locomotive Picture of F 172 Pattern engine 98 F 182
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