Victorian Railways N class (diesel)

**V/Line N Class (Order 1) and A Class contract revision (Order 2)^[1]**
Power type	Diesel Electric
N class locomotive N469 at Southern Cross Station.
Builder	Clyde Engineering Somerton, Victoria.
Model	JT22HC-2
Build date	1984 - 1987
Total production	25
Configuration	Co-Co
Gauge	Broad (1600 mm, 5 ft 3 in)
Length	18.87 m
Locomotive weight	123.00 t
Engine type	Order 1: EMD 12-645E3C Order 2: EMD 12-645E3B
Generator	EMD AR10-JJD-D18 Some units converted to AR10-CA5
Traction motors	EMD D43 Some units converted to D77
Top speed	120 km/h
Power output	1,680 kW (2,500 hp)
Tractive effort	Starting: 289 kN Continuous: 260 kN at 21 km/h
Career	1985 -
Class	N
Number in class	25
Number	N451 - N460 (Order 1) N461 - N475 (Order 2)
Locale	Victorian passenger network
Delivered	1985
First run	1985
Current owner	V/Line Passenger Pty Ltd

N class in the original orange and grey livery hauling H type carriages

The N Class are a diesel locomotive operated by V/Line from 1985. They have formed the core of Victoria's passenger fleet since introduction, and are seen throughout the state. The N Class are numbered N451 to N475, and all have been named after cities in Victoria. All N Classes are currently in service. Fitted with 6800 litre fuel tanks the class are capable of running from Melbourne to Adelaide without refuelling.^[1] because they were occasionally used on The Overland.

Originally, 10 N class locomotives were ordered, and all the B classes were to be re-built into the A class.^[2] This did not occur, so an additional 15 N classes were ordered using the parts intended for the A class conversions.^[2] The class are fitted with a separate engine for the head end power supply, used for lighting and air conditioning on passenger trains.

The N class originally appeared in the V/Line orange and grey livery, being repainted into the current red and blue livery from 1995.^[2] On March 3, 1987 locomotive N470 was returned to the Somerton factory for a ceremony, where brass plaques were affixed at both ends under the builder's plates, reading "N470 completing one million horsepower of diesel-electric locomotives built in Australia by Clyde Engineering Co".^[3]

As of 2007, some N Class members have received white stripes along the cabfronts, and cowcatches painted yellow to increase visibility at level crossings. In May 2008 N468 was repainted into the new V/Line livery of red with grey, white and yellow details.

Locomotives

Locomotive	Name	Entered service	Owner	Status
N451	City of Portland	20 September 1985	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N452	Rural City of Wodonga	10 October, 1985	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N453	City of Albury	1 November, 1985	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N454	City of Horsham	20 November, 1985	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N455	City of Swan Hill	19 December, 1985	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N456	City of Colac	29 January 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N457	City of Mildura	27 February, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N458	City of Maryborough	17 March, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N459	City of Echuca	15 April, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N460	City of Castlemaine	15 May, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N461	City of Ararat	25 July, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N462	City of Shepparton	14 August, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N463	City of Bendigo	4 September, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N464	City of Geelong	29 September, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N465	City of Ballaarat	20 October, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N466	City of Warrnambool	31 October, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N467	City of Stawell	26 November, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N468	City of Bairnsdale	19 December, 1986	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N469	City of Morwell	29 January 1987	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N470	City of Wangaratta	17 February, 1987	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N471	City of Benalla	28 February, 1987	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N472	City of Sale	27 March, 1987	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N473	City of Warragul	28 April, 1987	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N474	City of Traralgon	28 May, 1987	V/Line Passenger	In Service
N475	City of Moe	6 July, 1987	V/Line Passenger	In Service

References

^ ^a ^b Railmac Publications (1992). Australian Fleetbooks: V/Line locomotives. Kitchner Press. ISBN 0 949817 76 7.
^ ^a ^b ^c victorianrailways.net - N class information
^ "Rollingstock" (June 1987). Newsrail: page 181. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division).

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