As part of an effort to modernise and make its broad gauge passenger fleet more efficient in 1982, VLine decided to convert all of its B class to A class by upgrading them with the EMD 12-645E3B diesel engines, thereby raising their tractive power from 1,500 to 2,480 HP, and in addition ordered 10 new N class powered by the EMD 12-645E3C at the same rated output.
However rising costs for the B to A class conversions made VLine reconsider its position and after only 11 had been completed the project was scrapped and the order for N class increased to 25. The first N class, classified as Model JT22HC-2, entered service in 1985, all being built at Clyde’s Somerton plant in Victoria. They were the first class to have the ‘dog bone’ shape with a driving cab at each end and carried ‘head end’ power units for the supply of electrical power to the passenger cars they hauled.
With the introduction of the VLocity self propelled multiple units, N class are playing a lesser role, their main use being for peak hour commuter services and intercity services beyond the Regional Fast Track Network, for example to Bairnsdale, Swan Hill, Warrnambool and on the standard gauge track to Albury.
In this presentation we will see the inside and outside of the N class, affectionately known as ‘dog bones’, and view them in broad and standard gauge service in the years between 2003 and 2015.