V Class Steam Locomotive

Builder Robert Stephenson & Hawthorns under subcontract to Beyer Peacock & Co
Coupled Wheel Diameter	4'3"
Total Weight	134t 18c
Tractive Effort	33,630lb
Coal Capacity	7 tons
Water Capacity	5390 gallons
Number in Service	24

The V class steam locomotives were part of the post war regeneration plan for the WAGR, intended for the heavy coal traffic between the Collie coal fields and Perth. Twenty four locomotives were ordered in 1951 from Beyer Peacock in Manchester. The locomotives were built under subcontract by Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn Ltd at their Darlington works. The locomotives entered service between April 1955 and November 1956.
The locomotive was of a modern design with a high superheat, a large combustion chamber and a thermic syphon in the firebox. Roller bearing were used on all the locomotive and tender  wheels. When introduced the V class was the largest rigid wheelbase locomotive on the WAGR system, exceeded only by the ASG Garratt. The rated load capacity was 1320 tons between Brunswick Junction and Armadale, compared to 1135 tons for the S class and 850 tons for the Fs class. By all accounts the V class were a reliable and free steaming locomotive.
In addition to V 1220 at the Museum V1213 has been restored to working order at Pemberton,V 1215 is at Collie and V 1209 was sold to the Geelong Steam Preservation Society in Victoria.