C class steam locomotives
				wheel arrangement: 2-8-0
	ABOVE: C 1, as built in Canadian Red,1918.
Number in Class 26 Number group 1 - 26 Construction period 1918 - 1926 In service 1918 - 1962 Where built Newport Diagram, General Arrangement drawing Tractive effort 38,400 lb			When built, the C class were the most powerful locos in Australia. They were VR's main heavy goods locos until the arrival of the X class. The entire class was converted to oil burners beginning August 1946. They had a #4 brake and straight air brake. It is believed that the Taradale and Mooroobool viaducts were strengthened to enable the operation of these heavier locos. C 5 was the first VR loco fitted with a modified front end in May 1933. This modification became a standard upgrade on the A2, X, S, K, N classes. C5 was the first VR loco with a cross compound air compressor Jan 1929. First loco class with cabside class and number plates. C 1 was only C class painted Canadian red, (the then standard paint for VR steam locos) C 2 was the first new loco to be painted all over black. Fitted with staff exchangers mid 1930's "German pattern"smoke deflectors were added starting with C 22 in June 1948 Max speed increases from 50 to 60MPH for WWII passenger work. First withdrawl C 20 June 1954, last withdrawn C 7 April 1962

 

ABOVE: C 2 in "as built" condition.
Photo courtesy State Library of Victoria collection

ABOVE: C 10, circa 1930s, photo courtesy PROV.

ABOVE & BELOW: C 16 modified to burn pulverised brown coal. Fuller-Lehigh equipment was fitted in 1923, C 16 was the only C class involved in this short lived experiment. These tests, also with this tender, was also used in similar trials on A2 800 and Dd 1022

ABOVE: C 2 circa 1920's before getting its modified fron end and electric headlight

ABOVE: C 14 circa 1925. Madden collection SLV

ABOVE & BELOW: C 12, apparently testing the Echuca bridge, prior to 1931.

ABOVE: C 15 circa 1933.

ABOVE: C 22, probably photographed to show its new smoke deflectors which it got in June 1948. Official VR photo

ABOVE & BELOW: The addition of smoke deflectors and electric headlights dramatically changed the C's appearance, photo circa 1951.

 

ABOVE: C 1 as built 1918, photo courtesy PROV.

BELOW: C 10 towards the end of its career showing the many modifications the Cs recieved: Electric headlight and number lights, auto couplers,  smoke deflectors which were fitted whe the loco was equipped with a modified front end.

 

ABOVE: C 10, as preserved at the ARHS museum at Nth Williamastown, photo Dec. 2007

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page last modified9/27/12