I'm from the north of England and I could tell just by looking at the shape that these locos were designed, or at least influenced by EE. They look so much like a Deltic/Class 55 (albeit with pantographs on the roof and a unique livery) it is uncanny! British electric locomotives were always more utilitarian looking by contrast, much more like the "Butter Tubs". I'm assuming the electrification was at 1500v DC (?) as the OLE equipment also looks very similar to that used by LNER and later BR on their 1500v lines. It's odd watching footage from the opposite side of the world and seeing so much that you recognise!

@scana1979

Жыл бұрын

Yes 1500V DC as per the Melbourne suburban network as built in the 1920s. The Gippsland electrification was done from the then terminus at Dandenong around 130 km to Traralgon. Around 30 km still in use for suburban operations from Dandenong to Pakenham which has all since been upgraded. The 1920s overhead structures in much of the Melbourne metro area were the same design as the long-gone Newport Shildon electrification in England.

@thegoingthing

3 ай бұрын

Yes they were built in England and then shipped to Australia in the 50’s I think

Great video John featuring...Gerald "Choo-Choo" Dee; "Butter Box's" built by the Alcatraz Electric Chair Company and the Mighty, venerable L aka "Elle" known for popping the occasional Arc Chute...! Victorian Govt. regretting the dismembering of catenary overhead to Traralgon...!

7:33 The Dutch railway Nederlandse Spoorwegen had a NS 1200 Baldwin Heemaf locomotive serie that looks very much the same . It was a Marshall aid project . There a still some 1200 loco's left in use for museum railways .

Great to see Gerald Dee helping out where the MU connection failed near Hawksburn, I had the pleasure of meeting him and George Brown in the 80s, the second time I met George, the first was at the naming ceremony at Spencer Street Station just after C501 arrived at the head of the Southern Aurora.

Well I stumbled across this today, made my day Thankyou to all involved in making the film, loved it Thanks once again

@johnphillips592

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Paul , glad it made your day .more similar videos on my channel

I was lucky enough to be stationed at Warragul Depot in the early 80's and to have driven all L Class's in service at that time, along with the E Class locos that we used for shunting in the yard and the B,T and C Class Diesels that also operated past Traralgon down to Bairnsdale. In multiple unit they would haul 2400 tons of briquettes out of the briquette siding at Morwell three times a day. They were a great loco that utilized dynamic braking as well as the standard Westinghouse air brakes which came in very handy down the Longwarry bank with 2400 ton pushing you on a frosty morning. Cheers for the memories!!

@volgrencr221

Жыл бұрын

did you drive the tractor engine yellow shunters

@Ricko62

Жыл бұрын

@@volgrencr221 I don't remember seeing them at Warragul but maybe they were there before my time. Traralgon had one I seem to remember as they had limited overhead lines in the shunting yard as opposed to Warragul where most of the sidings where wired overhead.

@chopperking1122

Жыл бұрын

dont think C class diesels have ever been down that way

@Ricko62

Жыл бұрын

@@chopperking1122 Sorry but .... wrong! 🏍🐕‍🦺🤣

My fave Loco!! I worked at Dandenong Stn in the early 80's and would fill in to do Number Taker duties, I don't know how many times and L would frighten the bejeezers out of me as it snuck up beside me as I walked between tracks! I still recall the Pass w/ electric loco code we used to send to Springvale or Pakenham boxes as the train left us. ...-..--..

Top videos. I remember the L's (and the E's). I remember seeing a Gippslander hauled by a L loco regularly at Oakleigh in the '70's.

Departing Traralgon behind an L was the only time in Australia that I've been pushed into the seat back by acceleration. Like an 87 on Britain's WCML. Thanks for posting this.

@johnphillips592

7 ай бұрын

They were great locos and had an even better dynamic brake

@beagle7622

5 күн бұрын

I was just going to comment. The 8.03 from Springvale ( which originated in Warragul) with about 6 passenger carriages stopped very quickly . The noise of the dynamic brake was very evident. As already mentioned it really accelerated fast too. I enjoyed going to Uni on that train.

Farewel John Phillips lol on that day australia's first ever electric John Phillips lol hahah great video

Good old Jeff Kennett had all the electric infrastructure removed from this line in the 90's making it a diesel only line once again, the biggest mistake ever! Electric trains from the metro network could have opened up the Latrobe valley to frequent passenger services, he also shut down and tore up the Foster line and various others, now we need rail transport more than ever and millions would need to be spent to open these lines back up or re electrify the Latrobe valley line. Nice to see a video on the history of these L class loco's, I remember seeing them when I was a kid.

@GL-xz3xk

3 ай бұрын

He was a short sighted clown, too busy lining his pockets and his friends with Crown Casino and the F1

@ThePaulv12

2 ай бұрын

Yeah but it was state Labor that caused it all by allowing gambling here. As a lifetime leftie and Labor voter I still seeth.

@GL-xz3xk

2 ай бұрын

@@ThePaulv12 Didn’t the first Casino open under Kennet in the WTC in ‘94ish? (I never forgave Bracks for speed cameras on the ring road or *allegedly* taking bribes over trams)

@ThePaulv12

2 ай бұрын

@@GL-xz3xk Joan Kirner. I looked for this and low and behold it was on KZread. The ayatollah Kennett's off the hook. kzread.info/dash/bejne/mKyBycilmq7Yg7w.html

@ThePaulv12

2 ай бұрын

@@GL-xz3xk Bots are targeting every post I make. Anyhow, I posted a link for you to a YT vid of Joan Kirner talking about casinos and why state Labor changed policy but it vanished as usual. Unfortunately every post I make with a KZread link in it vanishes 100% of the time so you'll have to search for it.

What astonishes me is one of the longest electrified rail stretches was closed all because of expensive overhead costs and declining freight traffic. Should've kept the overhead for passenger service like Sydney intercity services.

@johnphillips592

Ай бұрын

Sadly the Ls were time expired , they were not reliable anymore and had to double head with another L even on the smallest train , the cost of replacing them and the loss of the briquette traffic for which they were built for didn't go in favor of keeping the wire and now with MU/s running the passenger service it's even further away , thanks for the comment .

I loved driving them ,the dynamic was great

This was awesome John, loved it heaps. Thanks for uploading!

@johnphillips592

11 ай бұрын

Thanks , glad you enjoyed it .

Around about 1970 I remember the l class would speed through noble park when I was a kid and it would both fascinate and frighten me at the shop time

Fantastic video, thank you. I remember pacing the L classes between Warragul and Trafalgar back in the mid 1980s as per 25:40. My last ride behind one was in 1985, in VR blue and gold of course. Then came the A & N class locos. Never as good to see or ride behind. Memories!

@johnphillips592

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you , and to quote driver Henry Hooten "there a fantastic loco"

Memory lane once again travelled from days as a lad on school holidays in Melbourne. Remember going "rabitting" with my cousin Robert in his then new Ford Anglia along that track, aunty Anne used to give us a potato sack to pick up briquettes from certain spots along that line. The "L" class used to really scoot along that track. On leaving Spencer Street interesting to watch the driver take up at least 19 notches in Series, the jumper lead problem was also an issue in the latter years of the NSW 46 class as they aged. No PPE when trackside and love the extra large ashtray in the Train Control to cover the eight hours shift! Cracking video again John 10/10...Dave

Thanks for that. A great journey. Especially as I have done some long stints in the LV

Great video John. Brought back my VR memories.

The E's were referred to by crews as electric chairs after a couple of mishaps, one of which the hair of a fuel point Foreman fell out.

@johnnyo7621

Жыл бұрын

Just stumbled across this interesting video. Once i see the E class i was thinking wasnt they also called Electric Chairs

Brilliant! Thanks for uploading

@johnphillips592

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

What a memory. Thanks for sharing.

Marvellous, thank you for sharing this.

@johnphillips592

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

in the ‘50s they were called “whispering death”.

There are 3 levers one for dynamic brake,one for reverser and the last one for field weakening.these locomotives are similar to renfe class 277 locomotives used on spanish national railways

I remember that day vaguely, 33:09 the little kid sneaking into frame is me. I do remember having a cab ride at some stage. Its great these older videos are still available to view, so much is unable to be seen. No idea if you will see this John Phillips but i assume you knew my father Peter?

@johnphillips592

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment , yes I did know your father , glad you enjoyed the video and that it brought back so many memories .

the 25 L classes were also to run the Geelong services but that never happened.

Henry has put on a bit of weight since I last fired for him at Warragul.

Does anyone remembers the series L v}line services?

The L class horns are pretty loud that's for sure

@lachlantrainvideos

4 жыл бұрын

Sounded nice and different too. I loved the horn show with the N at the start 😏

@m3nathan

2 жыл бұрын

It's incredible to think about the 2 horns during the show between the L and the N. The N carries a direct decent of the L class's horn with its Leslie. A Leslie from the same time period as the L class's horn had an almost identical power chamber (parts are interchangeable) but was bolted to an aluminium manifold and bells. Then RVB saw the L class Kocumsonics horns and slightly modified the design and....well it's just scintillating to see how all 3 companies evolved and developed their products.

I wish that I got to see the "L" class locomotive or even a gander of the E class as well but it was slightly my time...But I'm sure that the L or even the E class is a fav for people that got to see or never seen either locomotive. Love the L's legacy here....

@ThePaulv12

3 жыл бұрын

At the time Matthew they were fairly unspectacular for the gunzels unless you got your jollies for Ls. Suburban B however had the EMD chant down the track and the long wait time at a level crossing to build anticipation and the sound of the horn. B69 often ran on the Frankston line with a string of four wheel GYs sometimes tarped. Conversely a long wait at a crossing but with no EMD chant would often suggest an L, however as time has gone by I must say I miss Ls very much. I remember them before the modern pantographs (so with Tait style panto) in filthy blue and gold livery and I must say silhouetted against catenary around Caulfield they quite spectacular since around Caulfield the track is elevated and if you were down at Dandenong road level and saw one waiting at a signal they made a fine sight. Back in those times it used to rain and dark skies were very common in Melbourne. Ls were a nice sight against a dark sky but that is only a fond memory and I'm reminiscing. At the time I wasn't that impressed by them but now I miss them.

at the 34.12 mark, i still reckon that is a great picture, its in one of the newsrail books

remember double L`s coming through flinders st with GY`s and a guard`s van on road 9a in the early 80`s

I have never liked electric locos, but this was interesting.

Why were different pantographs raised for the run into Traralgon from Moorwell at 28:09? What's the difference?

@johnphillips592

14 күн бұрын

They were the original pantos , in later years they mostly ran with the newer type , but for historical reasons the original ones were raised for the run into Traralgon

Wow.. I didn't know that there actually was overhead wire installed up to Traralgon. It was already electrified and they removed it again to replace it with Diesel.... Only in Australia. I guess now they are kicking their asses.

I made the signal cages on the viaduct over the Spencer Flinders Street corner in this video at spotswood w/shops 1974 boilermaker apprentice.

@johnphillips592

11 ай бұрын

That's great .

What a great look back into the past. Fascinating to see how Melbourne and the rail network has changed. Ps Did the train ever make up the lost time?

@johnphillips592

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment , As far as I can remember it ran late all day .

Henry Hooten was a great bloke and awesome colleague

@johnphillips592

Жыл бұрын

Agreed

@rsinclair6560

21 күн бұрын

Took Henry for a drive along the Orbost line in a car to sight see his old section just when it became a railtrail from Bruthen to Orbost. I think he moved to Queensland after finishing at Bairnsdale.

@PaulNoake

21 күн бұрын

@@rsinclair6560 awesome

Huge Thumbs Up...

@johnphillips592

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Marcus , glad you enjoyed it

at the 8.17 mark where the driver got his hand & pulling the handle towards him does anybody know what that handle is

John, great to see this film again - thanks for uploading. Is that 64RM sidling in from a regular service at 8:35? By the way, I also enjoyed riding your old bus MMTB 592 at the Steamrail Open Days a few months ago, just before the pandemonium hit. Hope you are well - all the best.

@johnphillips592

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you , yes that is 64 RM coming in from a regular run , glad you enjoyed the old girl and thanks to David for driving it for me over the weekend as I was double booked

@mracine1463

4 жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 - good to hear you're well. I thought you might have partly retired by now! By the way - I don't suppose you have 'that' short film starring T 334?

@johnphillips592

4 жыл бұрын

@@mracine1463 I'm fully retired now and loving it , sorry don't have that one on T 334 .

@mracine1463

4 жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 - well, at least you're keeping active in retirement. Ah, pity you don't have the T 334 film. Like the 'Star Wars Holiday Special' of 1978, that's the one everyone wants to see! Thanks anyway. Stay well - all the best.

25:56 was a nice shot of the L's cruising right next of them from the highway, I wonder how fast the L's were peaking during these shots??.😅😃👍

@johnphillips592

3 жыл бұрын

About 100 kph

@Blime2913

3 жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 Oh ok great thank for the reply!😃 I assumed most locomotive average 80 to 85 mph, but I suppose it was a passenger service with a limited lash of cars an service speeds would have to be timely for passenger's.. I watch your channel like the classic A & B Class aswell.👍🚋

From 4:00. "running passenger services in the suburban area". I would have thought this was very rare other than load tests, or fan trips. Driver training maybe or a charter train for a school, club or factory picnic. Would be interested to know of any examples of an early L on suburban passenger working.

@johnphillips592

4 жыл бұрын

That meant only charter trains as the film footage showed , they never hauled suburban train services

@beagle7622

Жыл бұрын

Partly wrong. The 8.03am out of Springvale, stopped at Dandenong, Noble Park , Sandown Park, Springvale , Oakleigh, Caulfield then Express to Flinders St . That train was always full , but my memory was you neededto hang on because it did accelerate Hard. Was still running in the late 1970’s. In the Afternoon the 3.38 from Flinders St the same times took about 15 minutes off that trip to Springvale.

As well as this great record we are also fortunate that the main task of the L class was briefly covered in this Australian government film circa 1961 (All Manner of Trains) : kzread.info/dash/bejne/p6edlq6Gj8y8pdo.html and a bit of the Gippslander L class duties circa 1961 : kzread.info/dash/bejne/p6edlq6Gj8y8pdo.html

Would anyone know what the horn used on the L class locomotives is?

@rsinclair6560

20 күн бұрын

I did have a set, cannot remember the make or model?

I'm a bit late to the party here, but does anyone know what kind of passenger carriages the L classes ran with in service and in this farewell run?

@johnphillips592

6 ай бұрын

Most of their service they hauled wooden A and B cars and some steel aircon cars , then later the newer N cars

Was there a reason why they swapped the staff on the fly when the train was stopping anyway? Or did they not stop at Longwarry?

@johnphillips592

3 ай бұрын

Just a local arrangement I suppose

Were there any instances where the L was run under power in conjunction with diesel electric locos?

@johnphillips592

Ай бұрын

No they could multiple with other L classes but not Diesels , thanks for the comment .

I think from this locos only the Indian wcm5 or wcm3 wer derived

@johnphillips592

Жыл бұрын

Yes they are very similar .

@Mstsgamerz

Жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 yea

@Mstsgamerz

Жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 bro but wer this loco of Vulcan foundry

@johnphillips592

Жыл бұрын

@@Mstsgamerz They were built by English Electric in the UK .

With the pantograph is there any difference between the both of them

@johnphillips592

7 ай бұрын

Not sure , only that the single arm Faiverley is newer .

@matthewmassarotti2596

7 ай бұрын

@@johnphillips592 oh I c I thought there might've been a difference

The L 's were fantastic but the best thing was they were pollution free. Auestions need to be asked why infrastruture was removed.

@peejay1981

4 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure which is worse - brown coal or diesel?

@johnd8892

4 жыл бұрын

Love the L 's, but do not see how running on brown coal was pollution free, Their main task was to enable the burning of brown coal briquettes in millions of Melbourne fireplaces and in industry by transporting millions of tons of brown coal. The Victorian Railways soon found diesel electrics were much cheaper to operate. So when the L 's wore out and the overhead run down it was all removed.

@ThePaulv12

3 жыл бұрын

They weren't pollution free. Brown coal powered them.

Was that a lightning strike at about 25.35

@johnphillips592

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry , but no , that section was shot in 16mm film and it was a fault in the film

28:00 two pantograph types - what was that about?

@johnphillips592

4 жыл бұрын

The L class were originally fitted with what I think was a Metro Vic pantograph , a single arm Faiverly panto was fitted at one end as a replacement later in their service life and the L class ran with them in service but retained the original panto as a spare .

@emdB67

3 жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 I have a feeling the single arm pantos were Brecknell WIllis rather than Faiveley. While I'm here though. I noticed back when this video was released, that the last run with L1150-1162 had some scenes from the cab of 1150 where those from 1162 were added - such as going through Longwarry. I lived at Longwarry at the time and remember 1162 running light to Warragul a month after withdrawal which I'd heard was for filming purposes, which I guess was for this video. I've always been curious as to what happened on that run to Traralgon that required a withdrawn L to be "reactivated" for a day for "filming purposes". There were a few giveaways for the eagle-eyed. Such as the vent window beside the driver disappearing, and the windscreen wipers swapping from the bottom on the windscreens to the top. ;-)

@johnphillips592

3 жыл бұрын

@@emdB67 Yes , we ran that light engine for some extra cut a ways , very few people noticed the difference .

@emdB67

3 жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 yes, there's always a few of us eagle-eyed types that tend to notice such details. lol! Sadly my photos of the last weeks of the L class were only exposed to the film's leader / toungue. It never took up in the camera and I clicked away totally unaware. I only became suspicious when the frame counter got to 38 and kept going. :( So you can imagine my surprise upon hearing an L class approach the station that day when I knew the remaining Ls had all been withdrawn the previous month. I knew it couldn't run beyond Warragul, so half an hour later, I went out and waited for its return, taking some photos as 1162 waited under the footbridge at Longwarry for N 461 on a down pass to clear the single track.

At the 25.31 mark can anyone C a positive charge like a lightning bolt

@johnphillips592

3 жыл бұрын

That footage was shot on 16 mm movie film , it was probably a scratch

@matthewmassarotti2596

3 жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 oh I C it looks like a lightning strike

How can you put your logo all over this video when it's not yours and licensed as an ARE video?

@johnphillips592

Жыл бұрын

Sorry to differ but this video was made by myself and it was sold through the ARE , I own the copyright and have the original video footage , please get your facts straight before making false comments ,

@michael719

Жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 If that's the case, I apologise.

@michael719

Жыл бұрын

@@johnphillips592 I double checked the credits, I do apologise for making a comment on an assumption.

@michael719

Жыл бұрын

@Stewart Marshall in my defense, I did acknowledge my mistake and did publicly apologise

The L class can take the L