Victorian Railways J class (1859)

The Victorian Railways J class of 1859 was a class of main line passenger locomotives operated by the Victorian Railways between 1860 and 1912, built by Beyer, Peacock & Company, Manchester, England.

History
Victorian Railways initially numbered passenger and goods locomotives separately. The engines were numbered 2–6 (sharing numbers with the V Class goods locomotives). This was changed in the late 1860's to odd numbers for goods locomotives and even numbers for passenger locos with these locomotives taking the even numbers 2–10. This odd and even system remained in use until 1912. In 1886, they were allocated to Class J.

Production
The five locomotives were built in 1859 with builder's numbers 110–114 at an average cost of £3774-3-7 for each loco. They arrived in Port Phillip in March 1860.

Regular service
J2 was one of the locos used to haul the Victorian Railways Royal Train for Prince Alfred Duke of Edinburgh during his visit in 1867. In 1894, three were allocated to Bendigo and two to Geelong. From 1908, J4 and J6 were used for motor service.

Design improvements
In about 1872, they were rebuilt to 2-4-0 wheel arrangement to improve adhesion and allow greater tractive effort to cope with heavier loads and steeper gradients on the new routes. Over the years they were fitted with various alterations to the cabs. There were also various upgrades over the years; with constant improvements to safety — these including things like updates to safety valves (and domes), smokeboxs and chimneys (with spark arrestors), and brakes. At some point before 1894 they were reboilered and the new boiler pressures varied from 120–130psi. J6 received another two boilers, the first in 1896, and again in 1908. In 1908–09 J4 and J6 were modified for motor service. This involved fitting air brakes and cowcatchers, reducing the size of the tenders (using spare 4 wheel versions from previously scrapped locomotives), and the addition of footplats and handrails on the tenders to allow guards to return to the engine while the train was moving.

Accidents

 * 11 April 1895 - J4 broke driving wheels at Lancefield

Demise
J2 and J8 were withdrawn in 1904. In 1907, the cylinders and frame of J10 were used as a stationary engine at Newport Workshops to drive forging machines. J4 sold to Mr Findlay of for £700 in 1912. After being withdrawn from service in 1912, J6 was used as a hot water engine until being reported as broken up on 19 February 1916. It reappeared as a hot water engine at and last reported in a boiler test on 9 March 1917.