In 1995, Victorian Railways (VR) took delivery of the first of 27 EMD Model G8B Bo-Bo 875HP/ 650KW diesel electric locomotives, numbered T320-T346, from the local EMD licensee Clyde Engineering. Designed with a single control stand to run long hood leading, these 69 tonne ‘flat top’ locomotives were powered by an EMD 567C V8 diesel engine. However, experience with having to turn these locomotives at their destinations raised the necessity of having dual controls, and T326 and subsequent units were so equipped. The above Mk1 T Class were followed in 1959 by 20 of the Mk2 version which, while essentially electrically and nearly mechanically identical, featured a raised cab. They were numbered T347-T366, and featured the EMD 567CR engine with same power output but with a revised crankshaft and cylinder firing order. Then came the first of 46 of the Mk 3 version in 1962. Numbered T367-T412, they featured a low short nose requiring only one driving station, although from experience I can tell you that, whilst getting an excellent view when running short end leading, the driver has to be a partial contortionist to apply the brakes. Early Mk3s featured the same 567CR diesel engine but with the EMD 645E engine at 745KW/1000HP becoming available, T399 and subsequent units featured this powerplant. 645E powered T Class were assigned Model G18B. In late 1969 Clyde also delivered a further 5 units, similar in appearance to the Mk3 but weighing in at some 11 tonnes heavier, which were used for shunting in ‘hump’ yards. They were considered the Mk4 version and were briefly numbered T413-T417 before being renumbered H1-H5 to avoid errors in rostering. In this presentation we will review the inside and outside of the Mk3 T Class and see Mk1, Mk2, Mk3 and Mk4 T Class in service in the liveries of Chicago Freight Car Leasing Australia (CFCLA), El Zorro (EZ), Freight Australia (FA), Freight Victoria, Great Northern Railways, Pacific National (PN), Rail Technical Support (RTS), Southern Shorthaul Railroad (SSR), VLine, and West Coast. We also visit the Seymour Railway Historical Society who own operating examples of Mk1-Mk3 T Class and view these in leased freight operations. Approximate run time: 101 minutes.
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