Victorian Railways S class

{{Short description|Class of Australian 4-6-2 locomotives}} {{for|the later diesel locomotives|Victorian Railways S class (diesel)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox locomotive |name = Victorian Railways S class |powertype = Steam |image = Victorian Railways S 300.jpg |caption = Builder's photo of S300, 1928 |designer = |builder = Newport Workshops |ordernumber = |serialnumber = |buildmodel = |builddate = 1928 |totalproduction = 4 |rebuilder = |rebuilddate = |numberrebuilt = |whytetype = 4-6-2 |gauge = {{RailGauge|1600mm}} |leadingdiameter = |driverdiameter = {{convert|72+15/16|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |trailingdiameter = |minimumcurve = |wheelbase = |length = 1928: {{convert|78|ft|6+3/4|in|m|2|abbr=on}}<br>1951: {{convert|85|ft|6|in|m|2|abbr=on}} |width = |height = |axleload = 23 LT 10 cwt ({{convert|23.5|LT|disp=output only}}) |weightondrivers = 70 LT 10 cwt ({{convert|70.5|LT|disp=output only}}) |locoweight = 1928: 112 LT 5 cwt ({{convert|112.25|LT|disp=output only}})<br>1951: 114 LT 10 c ({{convert|114.5|LT|disp=output only}}) |tenderweight = 1928: 82 LT 8 cwt ({{convert|82.4|LT|disp=output only}})<br>1951: 109 LT 7 c ({{convert|109.35|LT|disp=output only}}) |locotenderweight = 1928: 194 LT 13 cwt ({{convert|194.65|LT|disp=output only}})<br>1951: 223 LT 17 cwt ({{convert|223.85|LT|disp=output only}}) |tendertype = |fueltype = Coal<br>Oil (after 1951) |fuelcap = 1928: {{convert|9|LT|0|abbr=on}}<br>1951: {{convert|2000|impgal|L USgal|0|abbr=on}} |watercap = 1928: {{convert|8600|impgal|L USgal|0|abbr=on}}<br>1951: {{convert|12600|impgal|L USgal|0|abbr=on}} water |tendercap = |sandcap = |boiler = |boilerpressure = {{convert|200|psi|MPa|2|abbr=on|lk=on}} |feedwaterheater = |firearea = {{convert|50|ft2|m2|1|abbr=on}} |tubearea = |fluearea = |tubesandflues = |fireboxarea = |totalsurface = 1928: {{convert|3,691|ft2|m2|1|abbr=on}}<br>1951: {{convert|3,723|ft2|m2|1|abbr=on}} |superheatertype = |superheaterarea = {{convert|570|ft2|m2|1|abbr=on}} |cylindercount = 3 |cylindersize = {{convert|20.5|×|28|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} |frontcylindersize= |rearcylindersize = |hpcylindersize = |lpcylindersize = |valvegear = Walschaerts/Gresley |valvetype = {{convert|10|in|0|adj=on}} piston valves |valvetravel = {{convert|6|in|0}} |valvelap = {{convert|1+1/4|in}}; exhaust lap:&nbsp;{{convert|-3/16|in}} |valvelead = {{convert|5/16|in}} |transmission = |maxspeed = |poweroutput = at drawbar: {{convert|2300|hp|sigfig=3}} at {{convert|45|mph}} |tractiveeffort = {{convert|41670|lbf|kN|1|abbr=on|lk=on}} at 85% boiler pressure |factorofadhesion = |trainheating = |locobrakes = |locobrakeforce = |trainbrakes = |safety = |operator = Victorian Railways |operatorclass = |powerclass = |numinclass = |fleetnumbers = S300-S303 |officialname = |nicknames = |axleloadclass = |locale = |deliverydate = 1928-1930 |firstrundate = |lastrundate = |retiredate = |withdrawndate = |preservedunits = |restoredate = |scrapdate = |currentowner = |disposition = All scrapped}} The '''Victorian Railways S class''' was a class of 4-6-2 express passenger steam locomotive operated by the Victorian Railways (VR) in Australia between 1928 and 1954. Built when the VR was at its zenith and assigned to haul the broad gauge-leg of its Melbourne to Sydney interstate express passenger services,<ref name=age-april1928>{{cite news |title=NEWS OF THE DAY. Powerful Australian Locomotive |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |date=10 April 1928 |page=5 |publisher=David Syme & Co}}</ref> the S&nbsp;class remained the VR's most prestigious locomotive class until the advent of diesel electric locomotives in the early 1950s.

They were the first Pacific-type locomotives on the VR, as well as its first 3-cylinder locomotive type. Renowned for their power and speed, in the ten years that followed their introduction the running time of the premier Sydney express service they operated was progressively reduced by one and a half hours.<ref name=dogbox>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article22811405 |title=From Dogboxes to Unsplashed Soup. |newspaper=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=18 February 1950 |access-date=22 December 2012 |page=2 Supplement: The Argus Week-end Magazine |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> These service improvements culminated in 1937 with the replacement of the ''Sydney Limited'' with the Art Deco streamliner ''Spirit of Progress'', and the S&nbsp;class locomotives were fitted with streamlined casings to match the new train set. They were also equipped with long-range tenders to enable the entire {{convert|190+1/2|mi|adj=on}} journey to be run non-stop at a speed that remained for the next 20 years Australia's fastest train service.<ref>{{cite news |title=DAYLIGHT EXPRESS FASTEST TRAIN – Spirit of Progress Will Lose Honor Today |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne |date=30 September 1957 |page=3 |publisher=David Syme & Co}}</ref>

Although only four S&nbsp;class locomotives were built, they were highly utilised. They ran up annual mileages double that of other classes of locomotives on the VR and by 1954 had run a combined total of approximately {{convert|5700000|mi}}.<ref name=ensign>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65496956 |title=Famous Loco Goes To Scrap Heap. |newspaper=Benalla Ensign |location=Vic. |date=7 January 1954 |access-date=18 December 2012 |page=3 |publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> However their size and heavy axle load made them unsuitable for regular service on any other lines than the North Eastern line, and so within six months of the introduction of the new B&nbsp;class diesel locomotives on the ''Spirit of Progress'' roster in April 1954 the S&nbsp;class had all been withdrawn and scrapped. Their scrapping was a catalyst for the rail preservation movement in Victoria to lobby for the preservation of remaining examples of other VR steam locomotives, resulting in the establishment in 1962 of the Australian Railway Historical Society Museum in Williamstown North.<ref name=arhs>{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaymuseum.org.au/aboutus.html |title=AHRS Railway Museum – About Us|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303040233/http://www.railwaymuseum.org.au/aboutus.html |archive-date=3 March 2009}}</ref>

==History== The S&nbsp;class locomotives were built to speed up principal express services, and to eliminate double-heading of services by their A2 class 4-6-0 predecessors.<ref name=portland>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64276807 |title=Achievements of "S" Class Locomotives |newspaper=Portland Guardian |location=Vic. |date=23 August 1937 |access-date=18 December 2012 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Although designed for normal operation at {{convert|70|mph|sigfig=4}}, they were credited as being capable of {{convert|90|mph|sigfig=4}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16457199 |title=New Locomotive |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 April 1928 |access-date=15 November 2012 |page=17 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

They were the final design of the Victorian Railways' Chief Mechanical Engineer Alfred E Smith, who had been responsible for the highly successful K class 2-8-0 and N class 2-8-2 designs, and was closely involved with the earlier A2 class 4-6-0, C class 2-8-0, and Dd class 4-6-0 designs.<ref>[http://www.railwaymuseum.org.au/history2.html AHRS Railway Museum History 1900–1950] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719005852/http://railwaymuseum.org.au/history2.html |date=2008-07-19 |access-date=6 September 2006}}</ref>

The S&nbsp;class was VR's first three-cylinder locomotive, and Smith's design was influenced by Nigel Gresley's Great Northern Railway A1 class 4-6-2 with its Gresley conjugated valve gear.<ref name=oberg>{{cite book| last=Oberg |first=Leon |year=2007 |title=Locomotives of Australia 1854–2007 |publisher=Rosenberg Publishing| page=201 |isbn=978-1-877058-54-7}}</ref> The S&nbsp;class also displayed some American design influence in its use of bar frames rather than plate frames and the provision of a delta trailing truck.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Graham |first=Neil |title=Class S – Victorian Railways Finest? |magazine=Australian Model Engineering |issue=54 |page=16 |date=May–June 1994 |issn=0819-4734}}</ref>

Built at the VR's Newport Workshops, the S&nbsp;class locomotives were, at the time of construction of the first three, the largest locomotives to have been built in Australia,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16572743 |title=Great Locomotives |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 August 1929 |access-date=23 December 2012 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> and had the largest boilers to have been constructed in the southern hemisphere.<ref name=dunnpart1p6>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', p. 6</ref> Another notable design innovation, the incorporation of all three cylinders and the smokebox saddle into a single {{convert|5+1/2|LT|adj=on}} casting,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/12800P1-page002013|title=12800P1-page002013 – Public Record Office Victoria|access-date=2012-12-17|publisher=Public Record Office Victoria|archive-date=29 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110329025016/http://www.wiki.prov.vic.gov.au/index.php/12800P1-page002013|url-status=dead}}</ref> was the first of its type in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest single castings undertaken in Australia up to that time.<ref name=dunnpart1p6 /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3856431 |title=Large Railway Casting |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=24 May 1927 |access-date=19 December 2012 |page=9 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> That was only possible because a "set" was placed in the axle of the leading driving wheels, thus allowing all three cylinders to be in the same horizontal plane. That had the added advantage of avoiding many of the middle cylinder problems that beset Gresley's Pacifics.

The S&nbsp;class spent its entire revenue service life on the main North East line because its axle load was too high for regular service on any other Victorian Railways line. Although Annual Reports show the railways planned to upgrade the main Western line and build further S&nbsp;class locomotives to haul ''The Overland'' services between Ararat and Serviceton, exigencies imposed by the Great Depression and World War II meant the planned upgrade of that service never eventuated.

Although a numerically small class, limited to a single line, the S&nbsp;class was utilised extensively. By November 1929, the three locomotives then in service were reported to be doing work that would have taxed the capacity of five A2 class locomotives, yet their £53,000 ($106,000) capital cost was £2,000 ($4,000) cheaper than the five A2s, and they were further saving an estimated £3,000 ($6,000) per year in comparative operating costs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4051237 |title=Interstate Railways |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=20 November 1929 |access-date=22 December 2012 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> By 1936, they were averaging {{convert|56200|mi}} per year, with S303 having set a record annual mileage for Victorian Railways locomotives, travelling {{convert|79455|mi}} in one year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11890810 |title=Express to Sydney Delayed |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=10 July 1936 |access-date=15 November 2012 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name=cards>{{cite web |url=http://www.victorianrailways.net/motive%20power/ssteam/s_class_cards.pdf |title=S class maintenance history cards |access-date=22 December 2012}}</ref> They were also noted for running {{convert|82000|mi}} between major overhauls, compared to an average {{convert|65000|mi}} for other locomotive classes in the VR fleet.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11869446 |title=Review of the year in Railways |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=1 January 1936 |access-date=24 November 2012 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> By the time of their withdrawal from service, all had travelled well in excess of a million miles, with S302 the most travelled at {{convert|1446468|mi}} over its 25-year, 2&nbsp;month service life, averaging 4,773&nbsp;miles (7,679&nbsp;km) per month.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 2'', p. 9</ref> S303 travelled {{convert|1434664|mi}} in its service life of just 23 years, 6 months, averaging over {{convert|5087|mi}} per month.<ref name=cards />

===Regular service: 1928–1937=== [[File:S300SydneyLimited.jpg|thumb|S300 in original condition leads the ''Sydney Limited'' between Seymour and Melbourne circa 1928]]

On 19 March 1928, S300 hauled its first revenue passenger service between Seymour and Melbourne. After ten weeks of trials, it was regularly rostered on the key North East line ''Sydney Limited'' and ''Albury Express'' services unassisted, hauling trains comprising up to ten E type carriages plus luggage van over the 1 in 50 gradients that carried the line from {{convert|30|to|1145|ft}} above sea level in its first {{convert|33+1/4|mi}}.<ref name=dogbox /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4010950 |title=New "S" Pacific Engines |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=4 June 1929 |access-date=29 December 2012 |page=8 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

The new locomotive attracted considerable public interest, with details of its construction and trial running reported in the press. On 29 April 1928, S300 went on public display at Flinders Street station in conjunction with fund-raising efforts for the building of the Shrine of Remembrance. It was inspected by around 3,000 people.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article68633046 |title=The Railways Help the War Memorial Fund |work=West Gippsland Gazette |location=Warragul |date=26 June 1928 |access-date=22 December 2012 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

With the delivery of a further two locomotives (S301 and S302) in February and April 1929,<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', p. 3</ref> and the strengthening of the Murray River bridge at Albury to carry them,<ref>{{cite news |title=Albury Railway Bridge |work=The Age |location=Melbourne |date=22 March 1929 |page=6 |publisher=David Syme & Co}}</ref> the S&nbsp;class displaced the older A2&nbsp;class 4-6-0 locomotives from those services. The superior power of the S&nbsp;class had a profound impact on the timetable which, in July of that year, saw a cut of half an hour from the previous five-hour nineteen-minute northbound ''Sydney Limited'' schedule of A2-hauled trains.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4022632 |title=Sydney Express |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=18 July 1929 |access-date=22 December 2012 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', pp. 3, 10</ref> A fourth locomotive, S303, was delivered in November 1930. Its introduction enabled both ordinary and "limited" express services on the Albury line to be rostered for the S&nbsp;class, even if one of the class was in the workshops for repairs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4187822 |title=Activities at Newport |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=6 September 1930 |access-date=4 January 2013 |page=19 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

By 1931 however, a severe reduction in passenger traffic caused by the Great Depression saw the S&nbsp;class locomotives withdrawn from running the Sydney express services, and they were put to use on goods trains on the North Eastern line until passenger traffic picked up.<ref>{{cite news| title=Victoria's Most Powerful Locomotive |work=The Argus |page=5 |date=1931-08-19 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4394636 |access-date=2010-01-04 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> As well as allowing the VR to deflect criticism of its investment in building the S&nbsp;class locomotives, the move also enabled the new X&nbsp;class goods locomotives to be reassigned from the Albury line to mainlines in other areas of the state, where they were reportedly used to considerable benefit.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11719591 |title=Pacific Locomotives |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=11 December 1933 |access-date=19 December 2012 |page=10 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

By 1934, the S&nbsp;class locomotives were back in passenger service and, in an effort to improve their appearance, the VR broke with its policy of using an all-black locomotive livery and, between May and October, outshopped the class in a glossy, wagon red livery.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', pp. 3, 16</ref>

By July 1935, the S&nbsp;class locomotives had accelerated services once again. With the line speed limit raised to {{convert|70|mph|sigfig=4}}, the S&nbsp;class-hauled ''Sydney Limited'' was reported as being the fastest train in the Southern Hemisphere,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75718907 |title=Faster Trains |work=The Mirror |location=Perth, WA |date=12 October 1935 |access-date=13 December 2012 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> with the southbound service running at an average speed of {{convert|48|mph|sigfig=4}}, including the five-minute stop at Seymour to take on water. The {{convert|129+1/4|mi|sigfig=4|adj=on}} non-stop run between Seymour and Albury was also Australia's longest.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54785070 |title=Australia's Fastest Train |work=The Morning Bulletin |location=Rockhampton, Qld. |date=15 July 1935 |access-date=13 December 2012 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

===Design improvements=== thumb|S300 as built in 1928

Initial tests with the prototype S300 revealed only average performance for a locomotive of such size. Further detailed study revealed that insufficient valve travel and narrow port openings were impairing performance and, based on that study, improvements were made to the three S&nbsp;class locomotives that followed, including a reported change from the {{convert|4+5/8|in|mm|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} travel, {{convert|1+1/16|in|mm|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} lap valve gear, shared with the N and X class locomotives, to a {{convert|6|in|mm|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} travel, {{convert|1+1/4|in|mm|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} lap valve gear.<ref name=buckland>{{cite journal |last=Abbott |first=R.L. |title=Steam Locomotive Performance - Effect of Valve Gear |journal=Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin |date=April 1970 |pages=88–92 |publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society}}</ref>

When first constructed, the trailing delta truck axle under S300 had insufficient lateral damping and, when running at high speed around curves, tended to knock the track out of the ideal transition spiral alignment.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Abbott |first1=R.L. |title=Tests on S300 |journal=Newsrail |date=March 1982 |page=28 |publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division)}}</ref>

In April 1935, S303 was equipped with the VR's Modified Front End, to improve drafting and reduce cylinder back pressure. Tests showed a resultant increase in indicated horsepower from 1,560&nbsp;hp (1,160&nbsp;kW) to 1,920&nbsp;hp (1,430&nbsp;kW) at 30&nbsp;mph (48&nbsp;km/h).<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', pp. 3, 13</ref> Smoke deflectors were fitted the following month to compensate for the reduced uplift of smoke from the redesigned exhaust and, between July 1935 and July 1936, the remainder of the class was similarly upgraded.

The boilers were modified to a design that incorporated a combustion chamber, arch tubes and thermic siphons.<ref name=are>{{cite book|title=VR Rolling Stock Diagrams Volume 2, 1906–1990 |isbn=978-0-9587932-3-0| publisher=Association of Railway Enthusiasts |date=2007}}</ref> However, unlike its close relative the X class Mikado, the S&nbsp;class was not modified with Belpaire fireboxes, and retained its round-top boiler shape.

During dynamometer car testing with S301 in 1937, a maximum output of 2,300 drawbar horsepower (1,720&nbsp;kW) at 45&nbsp;mph (72&nbsp;km/h) was recorded.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Carlisle |first1=R M |last2=Abbott |first2=R L |title=Hudson Power |publisher=Australian Railways Historical Society |isbn=0-85849-028-5 |year=1985| page=92}}</ref>

In common with the LNER Gresley Pacifics from which the design of the S class valve gear was derived, the centre cylinder and the big end bearing of the centre connecting rod were located beneath the steam chest and boiler, where they were exposed to great heat. That caused a problem, which was exacerbated by the reduced ventilation following the fitting of the streamlining associated with the ''Spirit of Progress'' service from 1937 onwards, coupled with the faster running speeds involved. The grease-lubricated locomotive axles also suffered overheating problems from the sustained higher-speed running. The VR dealt with both problems by switching to a "red oil" lubricant with a higher resistance to heat.<ref name=stacktalk>{{cite journal |last=Stephens |first=Colin |title=Tales of a Veteran Driver – Part 4 |journal=Stack Talk |issue=1 |volume=14 |publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society |date=April 2003}}</ref>

A final modification, late in the life of the S&nbsp;class, was their conversion to oil firing from February 1951 onwards. The scarcity of Maitland coal, and the unsatisfactory performance of the locomotives when using coal from other fields, began to adversely affect their performance and running schedules.<ref>{{cite news |title= "Spirit Of Progress" Engines To Become Oil Burners| work=The Canberra Times |page=1 |date=1951-01-03 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2814849 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

===Spirit of Progress: 1937–1954=== {{Main|Spirit of Progress}} [[File:The Spirit of Progress press launch with locomotive S302 Edward Henty at Spencer Street Station, November 17, 1937.jpg|thumb|The ''Spirit of Progress'' press launch with locomotive S302 at Spencer Street station, prior to the demonstration run to Geelong, 17 November 1937]]

From November 1937, the S&nbsp;class was assigned to haul the VR's luxurious, all-steel, fully air-conditioned streamliner, the ''Spirit of Progress''. At the time, they were the only passenger locomotives on the VR with enough power to take the ''Spirit'''s eleven-car trailing load of {{convert|544|LT}} unassisted over the 1 in 50 gradients between Melbourne and Albury.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', p. 25</ref>

Preparations for the S&nbsp;class to haul the ''Spirit of Progress'' were made as early as February 1937, when S301 was fitted with streamlined cladding that dramatically altered its appearance, together with a long-range tender, with capacity for the {{convert|13000|impgal}} of water and {{convert|8.5|LT}} of coal which enabled the train to travel the entire {{convert|190.5|mi|adj=on}} journey non-stop, at an average speed of {{convert|50|mph}} northbound and {{convert|52|mph}} southbound.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', p. 3</ref> S302 was similarly modified during August 1937.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11117165 |title=Better, Safer Trains |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=18 August 1937 |access-date=24 November 2012 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> While initially painted wagon red, by November both streamlined locomotives were repainted in the royal blue and gold livery, designed to match the new ''Spirit of Progress'' carriages.

Along with their streamlining for the ''Spirit of Progress'', the locomotives were also named after prominent figures in early Victorian history:<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47946893 |title=Historic Names for Locomotives |work=The Barrier Miner |location=Broken Hill, NSW |date=23 July 1937 |access-date=24 November 2012 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> *S300: ''Matthew Flinders'' *S301: ''Sir Thomas Mitchell'' *S302: ''Edward Henty'' *S303: ''CJ La Trobe''

On the initial demonstration run of the ''Spirit of Progress'' to Geelong, S302 set an official Australian rail speed record of {{convert|79.5|mph|sigfig=4}}.<ref name=sun2>{{Cite news |title=New luxury train makes triumphant debut |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/277499104/31359299 |newspaper=The Sun News-Pictorial |page=9 |publisher=The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd |date=1937-11-18 |via=Trove}}</ref> In the context of the British locomotive ''Mallard'' reaching a recorded {{convert|126|mph|sigfig=4}} in the following year, the speed of the ''Spirit'' was unremarkable, but the publicity surrounding the launch of the new streamliner, including footage of the train racing against an aircraft, captured the public imagination nevertheless, and was widely reported in contemporary press and newsreels.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', p. 26</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64276807 |title=The Railways |work=Portland Guardian |location=Vic. |date=23 August 1937 |access-date=19 December 2012 |page=4 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name=sun>{{Cite news |title=Latest in trains and veteran of planes race along together |url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/277499169/31359291# |work=The Sun News-Pictorial |page=1 |publisher=The Herald and Weekly Times |date=1937-11-18 |via=Trove}}</ref>

[[File:Locomotive S301, Sir Thomas Mitchell, hauling a north east goods train, Beveridge, Victoria, 5 April 1952 %289448245406%29.jpg|thumb|S class locomotives occasionally hauled freight services, as seen in this 1952 view of S301 at Beveridge, often when transferring between the Seymour locomotive depot and Newport Workshops for overhauls]]

Locomotives S300 and S303 continued to haul Melbourne to Albury services in their unstreamlined form until converted during major overhauls in March and October 1938 respectively.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 2'', pp. 10, 11</ref> During that period, they operated the ''Spirit of Progress'' when no streamlined S&nbsp;class locomotive was available, with a stop at Seymour to take on water.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11132005 |title=Special Locomotive Off Albury Run |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=11 December 1937 |access-date=13 December 2012 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

A minor change to the original streamlining was the removal of the solid cowcatcher and its replacement with a lattice type, after it was discovered that the original design created a partial vacuum behind the cowcatcher, which sucked dust and grime into the slide bars for the centre cylinder, creating maintenance problems.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', p. 30</ref>

===Accidents=== On 25 September 1933, S301 broke a driving axle while hauling the 16:00 express to Albury, causing the left centre driving wheel to separate from the locomotive. There were no casualties, although the locomotive suffered significant damage.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Way and Works Casualty Report |publisher=Victorian Railways |year=1933| id = No. 6881}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1123431 |title=Wheel Breaks |newspaper=The Courier-Mail |location=Brisbane |date=26 September 1933 |access-date=22 December 2012 |page=15 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> An investigation into the accident found that the axles were overstressed, and the VR Commissioners announced that all four S&nbsp;class locomotives would be equipped with axles of a revised design.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11710969 |title=Pacific Locomotives |work=The Argus |location=Melbourne |date=14 November 1933 |access-date=22 December 2012 |page=7 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

On 1 September 1935, two S&nbsp;class locomotives, each hauling empty passenger trains, were involved in a fatal collision when one train ran into the rear of the other at speed. The locomotive of the following train destroyed the guards van and fatally injured the guard. Damage was estimated at nearly £10,000.<ref>{{cite news| title=Railway crash at Seymour |work=The Argus |date=1935-09-02 |url= http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11763478 |page=9 |access-date=2010-01-03 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>

The side valances of the locomotives in streamlined form were prone to damage in the event of collision with trackside objects. During 1950, the valances were shortened to end at the buffer beam rather than extending to the base of the cowcatcher.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 1'', p. 42</ref><ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 2'', p. 8</ref>

On 15 August 1952, S301 was involved in a fatal level crossing accident when it collided at high speed with a circus truck and trailer at Euroa, killing three people travelling in the truck.<ref>{{cite news| title=Third Victim of Euroa Crossing Smash Dies |work=The Canberra Times |date=1952-08-19 |page=1 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2862113 |access-date=2010-01-04 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Two killed when "Spirit" Wrecks Caravan At Euroa |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=1952-08-16 |page=1 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2862113 |access-date=2010-01-04 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> The accident caused significant damage to the streamlined cowling of the front of the locomotive. S&nbsp;301 was temporarily repaired with a semi-streamlined appearance, featuring a standard VR pressed-steel slotted cowcatcher and a non-streamlined smokebox.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 2'', p. 47</ref>

===Demise=== [[File:S302andB60.jpg|thumb|S302 at Seymour in July 1952 as B60 completes its delivery run to Melbourne]]

The S&nbsp;class was the first casualty of the Victorian Railways dieselisation program, which began in earnest with the delivery of B class mainline diesel electric locomotives in 1952. With their very limited route availability due to their high axle load, and the maintenance costs associated with their age and relatively high mileage, the decision was taken by the Victorian Railways Commissioners to withdraw from service and scrap the S&nbsp;class locomotives, as their mechanical condition dictated.<ref name=ensign /><ref name=oberg /> First to go was S301, in September 1953, with worn cylinders, being recorded as scrapped on 16 October 1953. Usable parts were stored as spares for the three remaining S&nbsp;class locomotives,<ref name=ensign /> but the end was drawing near.

Following successful trials, the B&nbsp;class diesel-electric locomotives replaced the S&nbsp;class locomotives on the ''Spirit of Progress'' in April 1954.<ref>Dunn et al., ''Super Power on the VR – Part 2'', p. 48</ref> The superseded locomotives were rapidly withdrawn and scrapped, with S302 being recorded as scrapped on 2 July 1954 and S303 being recorded as scrapped on 28 May 1954. In June 1954, the last example, class leader S300, was withdrawn, being recorded as scrapped three months later, on 17 September 1954.

==Preservation== [[File:S303brass.jpg|right|thumb|Brass name and number retrieved from S303 on display at the Australian Railway Historical Society Museum]] [[File:Victorian Railways S class tender.jpg|thumb|S&nbsp;class tender body and underframe stored at the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre]] Despite their key place in Australian transport history, and at least one attempt to set aside an example for future preservation, the S&nbsp;class locomotives were scrapped before the rail preservation movement had gained enough momentum to avoid the loss of the entire class.<ref name=oberg /> However, the Australian Railway Historical Society has noted that the loss of the S&nbsp;class helped to galvanise railway enthusiasts into lobbying for the preservation of other VR locomotives (beginning with the X class), and the establishment of the Australian Railway Historical Society Museum.<ref name=arhs />

The enormous tender tanks of the S&nbsp;class found a new use as tankers for weed-spraying of VR tracks, and the tender frames and bogies were also converted into QH heavy duty flat wagons.<ref>[http://www.victorianrailways.net/freight/freight%20pages/qh.html victorianrailways.net QH wagon page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614131109/http://victorianrailways.net/freight/freight%20pages/qh.html |date=2006-06-14 }} – retrieved 13 October 2006</ref> One of the 2,000 gallon oil tanks retrieved from an S&nbsp;class tender was used in April 1954 to convert R-class locomotive R748 to oil firing.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.707operations.com.au/default.aspx?page=R%20Class%20-%20A%20Brief%20History| title=707operations.com.au – R Class – A Brief History| access-date=2006-11-06 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070322105937/http://www.707operations.com.au/default.aspx?page=R+Class+-+A+Brief+History <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-03-22}}</ref>

Two of the four tender frames have been earmarked for preservation by the Newport Railway Museum, and are currently used as workshop vehicles at the Newport Workshops numbered VFGA3 & VFGA4. One tender frame and tank are stored by Steamrail Victoria. The fourth tender frame is in the possession of the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre, which now has had a tender body placed on it.

The names and numbers of the four S&nbsp;class steam locomotives were carried over in the same order to the S class diesels introduced in 1957.<ref>[http://www.victorianrailways.net/motive%20power/sdie.html victorianrailways.net S class d/e locomotives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208172122/http://www.victorianrailways.net/motive%20power/sdie.html |date=2007-02-08 }} – retrieved 16 October 2006</ref>

At least one of the S&nbsp;class locomotives' whistles survived, and when the Australian Railway Historical Society operated a 50th Anniversary run of the ''Spirit of Progress'' on 14 November 1987, it was fitted to R class locomotive R707 to help recreate the sound of the original S&nbsp;class-hauled service.<ref>{{cite book|title=ARHS 50th Anniversary Spirit of Progress Tour notes|publisher=Australian Railway Historical Society |date=14 November 1987}}</ref>

These and other remnants, such as the ''Spirit of Progress'' locomotive name and number plates, are all that remains of the S&nbsp;class steam locomotives today.

==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book| author=Dunn| title=Super Power on the VR – Part 1| publisher=Train Hobby Publications| year=2006| isbn=1-876249-94-3|display-authors=etal}} * {{cite book| author=Dunn| title=Super Power on the VR – Part 2| publisher=Train Hobby Publications| year=2006| isbn=1-921122-05-6|display-authors=etal}} * {{cite book| author=Dee| title=Power Parade| publisher=VicRail Public Relations Division| location=Melbourne| year=1981| isbn=0-7241-3323-2|display-authors=etal}} * {{cite book| author=Pearce| title=North Williamstown Railway Museum| publisher=ARHS| location=Melbourne| year=1980| isbn=0-85849-018-8|display-authors=etal}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070208171757/http://www.victorianrailways.net/motive%20power/ssteam.html victorianrailways.net S class locomotive page] Details and further photographs of S class locomotives * [http://www.victorianrailways.net/motive%20power/diagrams/stedia.html victorianrailways.net S class locomotive diagram] * [http://www.museum.vic.gov.au/railways/theme.aspx?lvl=3&IRN=500&gall=657 Museum of Victoria – S Class 'Pacific' Locos] further photographs of S class locomotives {{commons category-inline|Victorian Railways S class steam locomotives}}

{{VRLocos}}

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1928 Category:Streamlined steam locomotives S class Category:4-6-2 locomotives Category:2′C1′ h3 locomotives Category:Newport Workshops locomotives Category:Broad gauge locomotives in Australia Category:Scrapped locomotives Category:Passenger locomotives