S303 (Nick Lapthorne)

S302 (Peter Willsher)

317 (Cassandra Cook/Great Northern)

S317 (Michael Earle)

S300 (Len Weigh)

Locomotive numbers: S300-317
 
 

Model Number:

A7 (original)  A16C (later)

 
 

Type	Diesel-Electric
Introduced	1957
Number in class	18
Manufacturer	Clyde Engineering, Granville
Gauge	Broad, Standard
Axles	Co-Co
Length	18.72 m
Mass	116 t
Engine	EMD 16-567C
Generator	EMD D12 (S300-309)  EMD D22 (S310-317)
Traction motors	EMD D27/D37/D47
Power	1350 kW / 1800 HP
Tractive effort	285 / 239 kN
Speed	133  / 15 km/h

The S class were used on a variety of services, including the main interstate passenger services, as well as Victorian and interstate freight services. Since then, they have seen use on more general freight services. Several of the class survived into the 1990s, but most have now been retired, while some have been sold to the West Coast Railway , and one to Great Northern Railway. S308 was renumbered SD308 and modified for training purposes.

Despite their age, two of the class remained in service until in 2004 the same underframe problems as seen by West Coast's locos saw them out of service. Two more stayed on until 2007.

However, one has now returned to V/Line Passenger, and later sold on to El Zorro.

S300, S302, S312 and S317 are on standard gauge.

West Coast Railway:
The S class were the first locos to be used on West Coast's passenger services, until in 2004 underframe problems saw them out of service and sold on; with two going to CFCLA, and one to VLP.

Great Northern:
Originally coming with broad gauge bogies, these were swapped for standard gauge bogies.
It was with Great Northern until December 2003 before going on to SSR.

Southern Shorthaul Railroad:
S317 was SSR's first loco in their ownership, it is used for standard gauge freight work.

CFCLA:
These two locos have been refurbished and leased to operators for both broad and standard gauge work.

Preserved locomotives: 
 

S303	Seymour Railway Heritage Centre
S308	ARHS-North Williamstown Museum
S313	Steamrail Victoria

Named locomotives:
 
 

S300	Matthew Flinders	S301	Sir Thomas Mitchell
S302	Edward Henty	S303	C J Latrobe
S304	George Bass	S305	Hamilton Hume
S306	John Batman	S307	John Pascoe Fawkner
S308	Sir Redmond Barry	S309	William Lonsdale
S310	George Higinbotham	S311	Sir Ferdinand von Mueller
S312	Peter Lalor	S313	Alfred Deakin
S314	Sir John 'O Shannassy	S315	Sir Charles Gavan Duffy
S316	Sir Andrew Clark	S317	Sir John Monash

The S class were named after prominent Victorians and others associated with Victoria - thankfully, we won't have to put up with one being named ""Steve Bracks".
 
 

Loco	Serial #	In Service	Comments
S300	57-164	8/1957	Withdrawn 1993 Sold to West Coast Railway, in service 12-1994 Withdrawn 2004 Sold to CFCLA, In service 5-2006
S301	57-165	9/1957	Withdrawn 2007
S302	57-166	9/1957	Withdrawn 1992 Sold to West Coast Railway, in service 12-1994 Withdrawn 2002 Returned to V/Line Passenger 2004 Withdrawn 2006 Sold to El Zorro, In service ?
S303	57-167	9/1957	Withdrawn 1988 Preserved - operational
S304	57-168	10/1957	Withdrawn 1988 Scrapped 1992
S305	57-169	11/1957	Withdrawn 1987 Scrapped 1989
S306	57-170	11/1957	Withdrawn 2004
S307	57-171	12/1957	Withdrawn 2007
S308	58-179	1/1958	Withdrawn 1988 Renumbered SD308 Preserved
S309	58-182	2/1958	Withdrawn 1988 Scrapped 1996
S310	60-227	11/1960	Withdrawn 2004
S311	60-228	12/1960	Withdrawn 1993 Sold to West Coast Railway, in service 12-1994 Withdrawn 2004 Sold to CFCLA, In service 1-2008
S312	61-229	1/1961	Withdrawn 1992 Sold to West Coast Railway, never entered service Now Privately Owned with Rail Power
S313	61-230	2/1961	Withdrawn 1994 Preserved - operational
S314	61-231	4/1961	Withdrawn 1969 Scrapped 1969 (Southern Aurora crash)
S315	61-238	10/1961	Withdrawn 1988 Scrapped 1992
S316	61-239	11/1961	Withdrawn 1969 Scrapped 1969 (Southern Aurora crash)
S317	61-240	12/1961	Withdrawn 1994 Sold to Great Northern, in service 2-2003 Sold to Southern Shorthaul Railroad, in service 12-2003

 

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