N class diesel electric locomotives
ABOVE: N 464 at Spencer St Nov 1986
In the early 1980's it was decided to rebuild all 26 B class into A class. This program was stopped after 11 B's had been rebuilt but the parts for all the B to A conversions had been ordered. Initially 10 N class were ordered but the order was extended to 25, the 15 additional N's were equipped with the parts that were to go into the A's. The N's feature dual cabs and a head end power diesel generator and have been used in passenger service since their delivery. Mechanically the N's and the A's are pretty much identical, the only difference being that N's have a head end power generator, A's do not. All of the N's were built the Clyde's Somerton Victoria factory. Until 1995 all of the N's wore the V/Line orange/grey scheme, after this time the N's were painted in V/Line pass. crimson paint scheme and then later schemes.
1st Order (12/645E3C engine)
| Road # | Serial # |
In service
|
Disposition | Color schemes | Name |
| N 451 | 85-1219 |
Sep. 1985
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Portland |
| N 452 | 85-1220 |
Oct. 1985
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | Rural City Of Wodonga |
| N 453 | 85-1221 |
Nov. 1985
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Albury |
| N 454 | 85-1222 |
Nov. 1985
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Horsham |
| N 455 | 85-1223 |
Dec. 1985
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Swan Hill |
| N 456 | 85-1224 |
Jan. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Colac |
| N 457 | 85-1225 |
Feb. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Mildura |
| N 458 | 85-1226 |
Mar.1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Maryborough |
| N 459 | 85-1227 |
Apr. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Echuca |
| N 460 | 85-1258 |
May. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Castlemaine |
ABOVE: N 469 shows the V/Line pass. colour scheme at Spencer Street station, Jan 2004
2nd Order (12/645E3B engine)
| Road # | Serial # |
In service
|
Disposition | Color schemes | Name |
| N 461 | 86-1190 |
Jul. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Ararat |
| N 462 | 86-1191 |
Aug. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Shepparton |
| N 463 | 86-1192 |
Sep. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Bendigo |
| N 464 | 86-1193 |
Sep. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Geelong |
| N 465 | 86-1194 |
Oct. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Ballaarat |
| N 466 | 86-1195 |
Oct. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Warrnambool |
| N 467 | 86-1196 |
Nov. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Stawell |
| N 468 | 86-1197 |
Dec. 1986
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Bairnsdale |
| N 469 | 86-1198 |
Jan. 1987
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Morwell |
| N 470 | 87-1199 |
Feb. 1987
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Wangaratta |
| N 471 | 87-1200 |
Feb. 1987
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Benalla |
| N 472 | 87-1201 |
Mar. 1987
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Sale |
| N 473 | 87-1202 |
Apr. 1987
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Warragul |
| N 474 | 87-1203 |
May 1987
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Traralgon |
| N 475 | 87-1204 |
Jul. 1987
|
to V/Line pass. | vlo - vlc | City Of Moe |
ABOVE: N 475 at Sth Dynon, Feb. 13 1988 and BELOW: at Newport, Sep 29 2007
ABOVE: DRC 40 in the garish V/Line color scheme, April 1984 (photo courtesy Rob O'Regan)
ABOVE: The classleader leaves its place of manufacture for the first time as it sets out on VR rails for its inaugral test run, Somerton, Sep 9 1985.
ABOVE:: Roof view of N 461 at Spencer Street, Nov. 2003
ABOVE: Before the adoption of the clownface scheme, N 468 received this scheme as a test, it was considered that it "didn't stand out enough" June 2008. (photo courtesy Tony Tuccio)
ABOVE: N 468 in the clownface scheme. Spencer Street, Nov. 16 2008 Photo courtesy Valerian Patykowski
ABOVE & BELOW: The current and most likely last scheme for the N's.
BELOW: Drivers control stand, not too long after delivery.
