Victorian Railways M class (diesel-hydraulic)

Victorian Railways M Class
M class M231 at Steamrail's open day in March, 2022
Type and origin Power type Diesel-hydraulic Builder Victorian Railways Build date 1959 Total produced 2
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 0-6-0  • UIC 0-6-0 Gauge 5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm) Length 8.45 m (27 ft 9 in) Loco weight 31.00 t (30.51 long tons; 34.17 short tons) Prime mover EMD 6-71 6080
Performance figures Maximum speed 20 km/h (12 mph) Power output 112 kilowatts (150 hp)
Career Number in class 2 Numbers M231, M232 First run 1959

The Victorian Railways M class are a diesel-hydraulic powered railway shunting locomotive, constructed at Newport workshops of the Victorian Railways in Victoria, Australia and used between 1959 and 1987.

In the 1950s the Victorian Railways were looking for alternative locomotive power to replace the aging fleet of steam locomotive which were used for shunting duties.^[1] To aid in the replacement of the steam locomotives, in 1959, two shunting locomotives were built by the Victorian Railways at their Newport Workshops.^[2] These locomotives featured an Ellison TC 500 diesel-hydraulic transmission powered by an 112 kilowatts (150 hp) EMD power unit. The two engines were given class M and the numbers 231 and 232.^[2] When introduced, both locomotives wore a plain, dark red livery with black under frame, similar to the Victorian Railways V class.^[3] Both locomotives later in their life would be repainted into the traditional Victorian Railways blue and gold livery. The two M class locomotives would almost exclusively operate in the Newport Workshops compound under the ownership of the Victorian railways.^[2]

M231 was sold to Steamrail Victoria on 17 December 1981, where it would continue to be operated in the Newport workshop compound.^{[4][failed verification]}

M232 was sold to Brunswick Plaster Mills, a subsidiary of CSR Limited, on 9 February 1981.^[5] M232 would haul gypsum trains from Nowingi, to a gypsum loader on the former Millewa South line.^[6] After the closure of the Nowingi gypsum operation in 1987, M232 would fall under the ownership of Steamrail Victoria and would be transferred back to Newport workshops in 1988.^[6]

As of 2024, M231 is operational as a shunting locomotive for Steamrail Victoria and is currently painted in its original red paint scheme with a black under-frame.^[7] It is notable that M231 has worked its entire life in the Newport Workshops compound. M232 is currently stored in Newport Workshops West block.^[8]

• Peter J. Vincent: M class
• VICSIG M class
• Vicrailways – M class

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