S312, S311, 4811 & 4917 Goobang Jnc North NSW. Fri 20th Feb 2026

Описание: Passing through Goobang Junction North, in western NSW, back-to-back S312 & S311 make a striking scene with 4811 and a failed dead attached 4917 on a Manildra Group grain train bound for Parkes yard. Consist is 15 loaded two-pack MGGH and a single-two pack of MGIH grain wagons.

Classic "Streamliner" or "Bulldog", call it what you will, S312 & S311 was just two of 18 units built in two batches by Clyde Engineering of Granville NSW in the period 1957-1961 for the then Victorian Railways. The first order of ten (1957-58) were built exclusively for broad gauge operations whilst the last eight (1958-61) were for standard gauge.

The EMD 567 diesel engine, powering the "S" class was available in 6, 8, 12 or 16 cylinder models and Roots Blown to a DC main generator to six DC traction motors. A total of 544 locomotives in Australia were powered by this engine between 1951 & 1966. The EMD 567 was a top seller for Clyde Engineering at the time.

The design was based on the popular American EMD F7 and closely related to that of the double ended Victorian "B" class (1952), NSW 42 class (1955), and Commonwealth Railways "GM" class (1955) built prior to the "S" class, also by Clyde Engineering. Powered by a Roots Blown EMD 16-657C 16-cylinder V16 turbo charged prime mover the "S" class was rated at 1,800hp for a top speed of 133KMh.

Main generator alternator Type D12 with a continuous rating of 2,200amps powering six Type EMD D37 traction motors with a gear ratio of 59-18. Fuel capacity 1,500 imperial gallons, lube oil capacity 165 gallons and water coolant of 75 gallons.

They worked both the passenger and freight rosters with regular working on the Spirit of Progress, the Southern Aurora, the Inter Capital Daylight Express (all replaced by the XPT in August 1986) and The Overland express passenger trains. Two "S" class were written off (S314 & S316) resulting from the horrific head on crash between a freight train and the Southern Aurora at Violet Town VIC in 1969.

The "S" can only be driven from the lead number one end on main line running, limited movements can be conducted from a standing operating position, known as a Hostlers stand, in the number two end for depot or short yard movements only.

The "S" class earned a reputation for reliability and hard work, they continued giving good service until they were displaced by the introduction of the "X" class in 1966. They were well regarded by crews, although some said they were a little on the noisy side under full power.

S312 was delivered new on the 27th of January 1961 and was named "Peter Lalor" and S311 was delivered on the 16th of November 1960 and was named "Sir Ferdinand Von Mueller", all of the "S" class, in keeping with tradition of the former "S" class steam engines, were named after prominent Victorians.

S312 was retired, along with S311 from the then VLine and sold to West Coast Railroad in 1995 but S312 didn't see service with WCR and was in storage. In 2011 it was sold to "Rail Power" and was laid up in the Friskies Siding at Blayney NSW during 2016 then in 2017 sold to Southern Shorthaul Railroad, the current owners, who stored it during 2018/2019 in the Lithgow State Mine yard in NSW. S312 still features the "Rail Power" black, white and yellow colour scheme.

What has changed on S312 & S311? Additional marker lights added, fuel tank valance removed, nose door welded shut, rear view mirrors installed, five chime horns installed (moved from roof to hood), duplicate air hoses added, dual "T" windscreen wipers added and bogie level sand boxes installed.

4811, in the former JHCRN livery was one of 165 class members built between 1959 & 1970 by A. E. Goodwin at Auburns NSW. Delivered new on the 23rd of December 1959 and is the oldest Mark-I class member still in active revenue service.

The 48 class are powered by an ALCO turbo charged four stroke "in-line" six-cylinder ALCO 6-251B prime mover delivering 950hp. Published track speed is 121KMh.

4917, which failed with a main engine issue, was built by Clyde Engineering at Granville NSW with 18 of the class over three orders built. Handed over new on the 20th of August 1964. Powered by a Roots blown two stroke eight-cylinder EMD 8-567C prime mover delivering 875hp. Published track speed is 124KMh.

Did you know? The Victorian Railways was the only state in Australia to run EMD powered locomotives exclusively in both their branch line and main line fleets. Unlike other states which had ALCO, Caterpillar, General Electric, Sulzer and English Electric the Victorians kept with EMD from the start and remained with EMD until privatisation by the Kennett government.

0735hrs on Friday 20th of February 2026.