X class steam locomotives
					wheel arrangement: 2-8-2
		ABOVE: X 43 (built 1938), the 1st of the class to be scrapped in 1957, X's 38 onwards were built new with deflectors and modified front ends, X 39 onwards were constructed with Belpaire boilers.
Number in Class 29 Number group 27 - 55 Construction period 1929 - 1947 In service 1929 - 1960 Where built Newport DIAGRAM Tractive effort 48,360 lb (with booster) GENERAL ARRANGEMENT   Downloads as a 21MB pdf				A heavy goods loco, the X's were basically a gauge convertible C class with a decent size boiler, and a booster unit. (except X 36). They were a much respected loco by the drivers and fireman that worked them. The X's were the most powerful goods locos VR ever rostered. X 38 to 41 went into traffic with former S class tenders. The first 12 (X's 27 to 38 were built with "wagon top" boilers later X's were built with Belpaire fireboxes identified by the square boiler section near the cab. By 1943 X 28 was reboilered with a Belpaire boiler and all of the original boilers were likewise replaced. In July 1938, X 39 was the first VR loco built with A6ET brake equipment. This equipment became standard on all subsequent new steam locos. Single stage air pumps were replaced by cross compound pumps 1933 onwards. X 29 and 36 were the last of the class is service, withdrawn Nov. 1960. Tenders were placed with Clyde Engineering for a further 15 locos but the success of the B class diesels saw the order cancelled.

Booklet on Pulverised Brown Coal development and tests. (116MB pdf)

ABOVE; X 27 in "as built" condition. X's 27 to 38 were subsequently fitted with Belpaire boilers.

ABOVE: X 36, in "as built" condition arriving Broadmeadows on a Down goods off the Albion - Broadmeadows Goods Line. circa 1930.

In July 1949 X 32 was fitted with a "Stug" dust firing system that burned pulverised brown coal. It kept this equipment until it was cut up in August 1957. ABOVE photo at Woodend.

ABOVE: X 40 at Macedon Dec. 1939, barely one year old.

ABOVE: X 51 commenced running July 2 1943,  Broken up June 1959, a mere  16 years old! Recorded mileage 426,176 miles.

ABOVE: X 30 leaves Melbourne yard on a "black coal" test run Feb 1951. This loco was used in comparitive tests with X 32 whilst testing Pulverised Brown Coal. Official VR photo, M 2271

ABOVE: X 46 brand new at Newport Sep. 10 1942
Photo courtesy late S. C. Whalley

ABOVE: X 45 at Korong Vale circa 1947 (photo courtesy Phil Dunn)

ABOVE: X 55 at Nth Melbourne loco depot Aug 22 1952
Photo courtesy late S. C. Whalley

ABOVE: X 32 takes fuel from CK 2 at Nth Melbourne circa 1951(PROV photo)