W class

The VR was quite happy with the locomotives they had but when a tender was offered by Tulloch for 25 small shunting locomotives the VR accepted and the resulting was the W class. They were fitted with a Mercedes Bens engine but these proved to be somewhat troublesome and needed much maintainence to keep running. Some W's were re-engined with GM diesels which utilised the same KRUPP 2W1D46 transmition as the mercedes engines used. With this rebuilding they also saw the addition of a raised long hood and a second exhaust stack on the non cab end of that hood. No W's made it into V/line orange and grey that are known of but in preservation W244 had been painted into a orange and grey livery minus lettering by the T413 preservation group. 6 wxamples survive today with only two of them being mercedes angined ones. For a time 2 W's (241 and 244) were put onto lease to El Zorro and used to run works trains. W's 266 and 267 were built on standard gauge and used as demonstraitor units numbered 7101 and 7102 for the NSWGR. When this demonstration was over no orders were placed by the NSW railways and both were subsequently sold to the VR and became W's 266 and 267 respectively.

Drive Type: Diesel Hydraulic

Engine: Original  - Mercedes Benz MB 820B (12 cylinder)

            Modified - DETROIT DIESEL 12V-149

Generator: No Generator

Traction Motors: No Traction Motors

Horse Power: Original  - 650hp

                     Modified - 600hp

Weight: Original  - 48t

            Modified - 49t

Max rated Speed: 32km/h

Builders Model: 1-MS