Victorian Railways L class (1859)

The Victorian Railways L class was a class of passenger locomotives operated by the Victorian Railways between 1861 and 1906, built by both George England and Co., Newcastle upon Tyne, England and Slaughter, Gruning & Co., Bristol, England.

History
Victorian Railways initially numbered passenger and goods locomotives separately, the engines were delivered with numbers 16–25. This system was changed before these locos entered service to odd numbers for goods locomotives and even numbers for passenger locos with these locomotives taking the even numbers 14–32. This odd and even system remained in use until 1912. In 1886, they were allocated to Class L.

Production
Seven locomotives were built by George England and Co. in 1859 with builder's numbers 156–166, and a further three were built by Slaughter, Grüning & Co. in 1860 with builder's numbers 408–410 at an average cost of £3305-18-8 for each loco.

Regular service
Upon introduction they were used on the Williamstown and Geelong lines, and hauled the first train on the Geelong–Ballarat line in 1862. In 1893, seven were allocated to Melbourne and three were stored. They finished their days on suburban lines such as the m to Riversdale section of the Outer Circle line and the Burnley to Darling line.

Design improvements
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. L14 received a new boiler in 1875, L26 in 1884, L16 & L18 in 1885, and L24 in 1886.

Accidents

 * 24 December 1878 - L14 collided with V13 in the Melbourne Yard
 * 19 February 1879 - L14 collided with Q95 at Essendon
 * 28 August 1883 - L20 collided with O79 at m
 * 13 May 1888 - L28 ran through crossing gates at Clifton Hill
 * May 1891 - L32 ran through crossing gates at m

Demise
L28 was used as a stationary engine at Newport Workshops to drive forging machines between 1900 and c. 1908. L16 was used as a stationary engine at Mathieson's siding, from 1902. In September 1904, L32 had its tank, wheels, axles, and brakes removed and was sold to Sanderson's saw mill, Otway Ranges for £250 where it apparently survived until finally being scrapped c. 1941. The remainder were withdrawn between 1904 and 1906.