With an expected increase in coal traffic from the Latrobe Valley, 90 miles east of Melbourne, the railways electrified the section and eased the gradients during the 1950's. This was part of the 'Operation Phoenix' railway rehabilitation.
Twenty five 'English Electric' locomotives were purchased which became class 'L'. They were a 2200/2400hp unit, and suffered from being too light. At the time the W&W Branch had authorised the line to Traralgon for locomotives up to 16.5 ton axle load and the L class units were ordered accordingly. Unfortunately, _B__ class diesel-electrics, with a higher axle load, had been running through as far as Sale from the early 1950's. The L class units were eventually ballasted with extra weight: steel plate added to the underfloor areas.
The expected coal traffic never eventuated and electrification removed steam from the corridor. As well, the line was regraded for better loads in the Melbourne direction. This regrading also took place through the steam days.
The first two years of service saw a few teething problems with the overhead wiring and the operation of the units. Notable were:
The loco's were numbered 1150 - 1174. In the late 1970's some modifications were made to external cab fittings including a cab modified for better visibility.
By the mid 1980's, the engines were badly in need of overhaul and the entire overhead in need of rejuvenation. The introduction of new passenger units, class N, assisted in replacing the L class locos. The units were gradually removed from service and the line has subsequently had the overhead wires removed.
Many crews were unhappy to see the L's go, as the replacement engines, the _N__ class, never had the 'zip' of the old electrics.
For the railways, an isolated pool of locomotives were removed and the logistics of loco changes for through trains eliminated.
Some interesting electrification plans may have extended the life of these units. There was a plan to electrify between Melbourne - Geelong and Melbourne - Bendigo. In the 1970's both New South Wales and Victorian planned for electrification of the Melbourne - Sydney route.
Photos for 'L '
FileID Description................................................AL869 L + L - over Dudley St, North Melbourne, 9/1968, [oPJV]B3604 L - bogie, [oPJV]CM950 L - 3 x L s being towed dead, Dandenong, 1970s, [oBAU]CM862 L - nose removed, (small image), [sPJV]CQ406 L - Up goods, timber wagons, Warragul, c1974, [oDAC]CC428 L - with Tait on fantrip, Warragul, 5/12/1998, [oMID]AM316 L - 1, 1989, [oPJV]AM317 L - 2, 1989, [oPJV]BD402 L - body on ground, being scrapped, Newport Workshops, c1984, [oPJV]BD728 L - Dn goods, Yarragon, 21/10/1985, [oPJV]BO127 L - Dn SG, Broadmeadows, 15/10/1984, [oPJV]DS927 L - loco bogies on Q 96, Newport Workshops, 10/10/1980, [oPJV]BL105 L - Scrap row, Spotswood Workshops, 4/1988, [oRAQ]AM314 L - scrapping - 1, [oPJV]AM315 L - scrapping - 2, [oPJV]CA837 L - Up Fairfield goods, wait line, Dn vic Comeng, Fairfield, c1985, [oREW]BE700 L 253 - Up SG, Craigeburn, 7/10/1984, [oPJV]BE842 L 257 - Up SG freight, Broadford, 7/10/1984, [oPJV]BE843 L 257 - Up SG freight(2), Broadford, 7/10/1984, [oPJV]BE844 L 257 - Up SG freight, trailing view, Broadford, 7/10/1984, [oPJV]AM199 L 1150, Traralgon, 1/1971, [oPJV]AM319 L 1150, [oPJV]DI796 L 1150, Traralgon, 7/1/1971, [oPJV]AC574 L 1150, [oFXK]BQ573 L 1150 - 1st VL scheme, Up Pass wood cars, Flinders Street Yard, 10/10/1984, [oPJV]BG473 L 1150 - Dn Special, Beaconsfield, 27/10/1975, [oPJV]BG472 L 1150 - Dn Special Princess Margaret , Police, Beaconsfield, 27/10/1975, [oPJV]BK309 L 1150 - part view, stored, Newport Workshops, 17/12/1981, [oPJV]DG423 L 1150 - VR, part view restored, nameplate RG Wishart, North Williamstown, [oDVC]AM204 L 1151, Traralgon, 1/1971, [oPJV]BF044 L 1151, Newport Workshops, 20/9/1975, [oPJV]BF025 L 1151 - distant, Newport Workshops, 20/9/1975, [oPJV]DK448 L 1151 - Down Pass passes Y 161 pilot, Westall, 26/10/1977, [oPJV]BG643 L 1151 - s1e1, Newport Workshops, 6/11/1975, [oPJV]BL101 L 1152, South Dynon, 1979, [oRAQ]BC919 L 1152, South Dynon, 9/10/1976, [oRXO]DI770 L 1152 + L 1166 - train sets back a/c L 1166 failed, Traralgon, 26/12/1970, [oPJV]AM211 L 1152 + L 1166 - Up goods, Traralgon, 26/12/1970, [oPJV]DI769 L 1152 + L 1166 - Up goods ready to depart, Traralgon, 26/12/1970, [oPJV]AI420 L 1152 - shunt move by E 369, Newport Workshops, 5/1968, [oPJV]AM308 L 1152 - stored, Melbourne Yard, 1989, [oPJV]CB044 L 1152 - Up pass, Dandenong, 19/4/1979, [oPJV]BL102 L 1152 - VR scheme, South Dynon, 1979, [oRAQ]AM309 L 1153, [oPJV]CV817 L 1153 - eXp, South Dynon, 31/12/1978, [oPJV]CV816 L 1153 - eXq, South Dynon, 31/12/1978, [oPJV]DI814 L 1153 - sets back to train, Maffra RM at dock, Traralgon, 11/1/1971, [oPJV]DI812 L 1153 - trailing view of Up train, 76 Milepost, Moe, 8/1/1971, [oPJV]AM226 L 1153 - Up goods, Traralgon, 8/1/1971, [oPJV]DI808 L 1153 - Up goods, Traralgon, 8/1/1971, [oPJV]BE255 L 1153 - Up Pass, grade separation, Drouin, 26/12/1975, [oPJV]BQ460 L 1154, Flinders Street Yard, 18/10/1984, [oPJV]BQ459 L 1154 - K set CE-AK1-BKL3-BK1-BK2, Flinders Street Yard, 18/10/1984, [oPJV]AW752 L 1154 - Up briquettes, Warragul, 2/1968, [oPJV]AT973 L 1154 - Up, tows E1106, Flinders Street Yard, 7/10/1983, [oPJV]AM232 L 1155 + L 1160 - Dn goods, Warragul, 1/1/1972, [oPJV]DI919 L 1155 + L 1160 - Down goods, L 1171 + L in yard, Warragul, 1/1/1972, [oPJV]DI920 L 1155 + L 1160 - Down goods/disc signal off, Warragul, 1/1/1972, [oPJV]DI918 L 1155 + L 1160 - Down goods/meal/brakes, Warragul, 1/1/1972, [oPJV]AW754 L 1155 - Dn empties, Warragul, 2/1968, [oPJV]CN106 L 1155 - Dn empty briquette train/fixed wheelers, Caulfield, 1970s, [oBAU]BC921 L 1155 - Dn Gds, Pakenham, c1977, [oRXO]BC920 L 1155 - Dn goods, Narre Warren, 9/10/1976, [oRXO]DP603 L 1155 - Down Pass, Clayton, 2/8/1980, [oPJV]BB554 L 1155 - parcels dock runaround, Spencer Street, 2/8/1984, [oPJV]BP389 L 1155 - s2e2, Flinders Street, 4/7/1982, [oPJV]BU316 L 1156 + L - Up briquette train, via 9A, Flinders Street, 1980s, [oMUH]BL113 L 1156 - Orange Vline scheme, South Dynon, 20/8/1983, [oRAQ]AA381 L 1156 - part view; X 40, [oPJV]BD759 L 1156 - special push-pull trip/L s + N sets, Jordanville, 17/11/1983, [oPJV]DP605 L 1156 - Up loaded briquettes/GYs/ZLP, rain, Clayton, 2/8/1980, [oPJV]CA838 L 1156 - Up PL cars Schoolie , c1983, [oREW]BL103 L 1156 - Vline, BWpan, Traralgon, 30/5/1987, [oRAQ]AM310 L 1157, [sPJV]AA112 L 1157 - Dn Tgon pass, Flinders Street, 26/12/1977, [oPJV]DL408 L 1157 - Down Gippslander, plat 1, Flinders Street, 23/5/1980, [oPJV]DI760 L 1158 + L 1158 - night view in yard, Traralgon, 23/12/1970, [oPJV]AM236 L 1158 - Dn Pass, Warragul, c12/1971, [oPJV]DI914 L 1158 - Dn pass arrival, s2, Traralgon, c12/1971, [oPJV]DI818 L 1158 - Down Pass at platform, Warragul, 12/1/1971, [oPJV]DL997 L 1158 - Down Pass parallels highway, Drouin, 7/11/1978, [oPJV]BP510 L 1158 - failed on pass, tow by Y 171, Dandenong, 15/6/1982, [oPJV]DI807 L 1158 - part view, front, Traralgon, 7/1/1971, [oPJV]BM299 L 1158 - tows X36-X53 ex FS Gds Yd, Jolimont Workshops, 15/5/1980, [oPJV]DK497 L 1158 - Up briquette train, 9A road, Flinders Street, 27/11/1977, [oPJV]DK499 L 1158 - Up briquette train, trailing view, Flinders Street, 27/11/1977, [oPJV]DK498 L 1158 - Up briquettes, trailing view to viaduct, Up T, Flinders Street, 27/11/1977, [oPJV]CA839 L 1158 - Up Pass, Warragul, c1984, [oREW]DA638 L 1158 - Up timber goods, Berwick, 17/7/1976, [oPJV]BD403 L 1159 - Dn Pass, c1984, [oPJV]BC922 L 1159 - Up goods, Westall, 10/4/1976, [oRXO]BC923 L 1160, Warragul, 9/10/1976, [oRXO]AM252 L 1160, Traralgon, 24/12/1970, [oPJV]AK061 L 1160, Spencer Street, 5/1968, [oPJV]CA840 L 1160 + dead L, Dn Pass departs, Longwarry, c1984, [oREW]DI915 L 1160 + L - Up goods ready to depart, night, yard lit, Traralgon, c12/1971, [oPJV]BE054 L 1160 - Dn Traralgon pass, Richmond, 6/8/1981, [oPJV]DN033 L 1160 - down briquettes passes under signal gantry on viaduct, Flinders Street, 7/11/1978, [oPJV]BE053 L 1160 - Down Traralgon Wcar-PLcar-CWvan, Richmond, 6/8/1981, [oPJV]DI763 L 1160 - off pit, ready to takeover Up Gippslander duty, Traralgon, 24/12/1970, [oPJV]AJ303 L 1160 - Up goods, Flinders Street, 5/1968, [oPJV]BH009 L 1161 - Up pass, Flinders Street Yard, 9/3/1976, [oPJV]BH011 L 1161 - Up pass with CP on rear, Flinders Street Yard, 9/3/1976, [oPJV]CA841 L 1161 - with van and GY shunt move, East Yard, c1980, [oREW]AM255 L 1162, Traralgon, 7/1/1971, [oPJV]DI795 L 1162, Traralgon, 7/1/1971, [oPJV]DI922 L 1162 + L + L - Up gds, 3rd L dead, off dn L1150/1166, Yarragon, 1/1/1972, [oPJV]BI131 L 1162 + L 1163 - Dn Gippslander, Drouin, 7/11/1978, [oPJV]CP307 L 1162 - #2 end, panto ripped apart, Maryvale, c1978, [oPJV]CU020 L 1162 - e2/part view/panto damage, Maryvale siding, 25/12/1977, [oPJV]CU019 L 1162 - panto damage, Maryvale siding, 25/12/1977, [oPJV]DB219 L 1162 - part view, Vl, Newport Workshops, 6/1/2003, [oPJV]DB218 L 1162 - preserved, faded Vl, Newport Workshops, 6/1/2003, [oPJV]DO519 L 1162 - Up briquette train snakes through junction, Flinders Street Yard, 7/12/1978, [oPJV]AA158 L 1162 - Up pass, Caulfield, 6/7/1977, [oPJV]AQ508 L 1162 - Up pass passes signalbox, Caulfield, c1977, [oPJV]BY436 L 1162 - Vline, Newport Workshops, 1999, [oARB]BI339 L 1162 - with E 1102, Newport Workshops, 13/5/1983, [oPJV]AM311 L 1163, [sPJV]BC925 L 1163 + L - Up goods, Pakenham, 9/10/1976, [oRXO]DB452 L 1163 - freight, distant, 1960s, [oPTC]AM260 L 1163 - loco road, Traralgon, 1/1972, [oPJV]DL269 L 1163 - stabled, Warragul, 16/3/1980, [oPJV]DI925 L 1163 - stabled in electric road, with 2 x Ls, down view, Traralgon, 1/1972, [oPJV]DI926 L 1163 - stabled with 3 x Ls, down view, Traralgon, 1/1972, [oPJV]DL270 L 1163 - stabled with L 1165, Warragul, 16/3/1980, [oPJV]BQ409 L 1163 - stored, VR, shops R tender trucks, Newport Workshops, 2/3/1981, [oPJV]BG470 L 1163 - Up Pass, Beaconsfield, 27/10/1975, [oPJV]AW753 L 1164 - Dn gds/ stabled, Warragul, 2/1968, [oPJV]BG493 L 1164 - Dn Traralgon Pass, 3xHarris, Up view, Flinders Street Yard, 16/10/1975, [oPJV]BK914 L 1164 - part view, Warragul, 3/10/1982, [oPJV]DL610 L 1165 + L + L 1173 - Down goods, rear L shutdown, crew confer, Oakleigh, 2/8/1980, [oPJV]DL611 L 1165 + L + L 1173 - Down goods, rear L shutdown, Y 125, Oakleigh, 2/8/1980, [oPJV]BR441 L 1165 + L 1166 - down goods, Flinders Street Yard, 27/11/1984, [oPJV]BR349 L 1165 + L 1170 - Up view, mu d for testing; BW panto, Werribee, 21/11/1984, [oPJV]BR342 L 1165 - distant, Werribee, 21/11/1984, [oPJV]BE021 L 1165 - Dn Pass, Flinders Street Yard, 21/8/1984, [oPJV]BE018 L 1165 - Dn Pass, with E 1106, E 1109, Flinders Street Yard, 21/8/1984, [oPJV]BE019 L 1165 - Dn Traralgon Pass, Flinders Street Yard, 21/8/1984, [oPJV]BR347 L 1165 - showing MU cables from L 1170, Werribee, 21/11/1984, [oPJV]DL272 L 1165 - stabled, Warragul, 16/3/1980, [oPJV]DL270 L 1165 - stabled with other L s, Warragul, 16/3/1980, [oPJV]DL998 L 1165 - Up Pass PL-W-CW, in cutting, Drouin, 7/11/1978, [oPJV]DL416 L 1165 - Up Pass sits at 1 East, Flinders Street, 6/1980, [oPJV]BC926 L 1166 + L - Dn pass, Trafalgar, 9/10/1976, [oRXO]DL258 L 1166 + L - Up briquette train passes East Yard, Melbourne Yard, 14/3/1980, [oPJV]BS906 L 1166 + L - Up briquettes, oc 1485M t, Flinders Street Yard, 30/11/1984, [oPJV]DK463 L 1166 - 2nd unit, Huntingdale, 31/10/1977, [oPJV]BR442 L 1166 - 2nd unit, Flinders Street Yard, 27/11/1984, [oPJV]BL963 L 1166 - attach to 353D mk for tow, with fitters, Pakenham, 18/4/1980, [oPJV]BG560 L 1166 - Dn Pass, Beaconsfield, 27/10/1975, [oPJV]B1429 L 1166 - Dn Pass 10/11 East, Flinders Street, 13/4/1978, [oPJV]DK746 L 1166 - Down Pass heads under bridge, Dandenong, 14/10/1978, [oPJV]DI766 L 1166 - heads 4 x L locos stabled in wired road, west view, Traralgon, 24/12/1970, [oPJV]DI769 L 1166 - part view, 2nd unit, Traralgon, 26/12/1970, [oPJV]BL957 L 1166 - part view, set up to tow 353D, Pakenham, 18/4/1980, [oPJV]11415 L 1166 - rear of train/Harris, Flinders Street Yard, 7/4/1978, [oPJV]DL350 L 1166 - tows MK 353D back to Melbourne after smash, Pakenham, 18/4/1980, [oPJV]11413 L 1166 - Warragul PL train set back into Harris, Flinders Street Yard, 7/4/1978, [oPJV]AV347 L 1167 - on Dn train, grey ghost set, Flinders Street Yard, 2/11/1983, [oPJV]AV346 L 1167 - radio fitted, Flinders Street Yard, 2/11/1983, [oPJV]DL032 L 1167 - Up Pass arrives plat 1, clock, signals, Flinders Street, 24/11/1978, [oPJV]CT759 L 1168 + CW + BPL, Up pass, Flinders Street Yard, 27/12/1978, [oPJV]AM264 L 1168 + L 1152 + dead L 1166 - failed Up goods/setback, Traralgon, 26/12/1970, [oPJV]DI771 L 1168 + L 1152 + L 1166 - Up gds, last L failed, Traralgon, 26/12/1970, [oPJV]CA842 L 1168 + X 44 shunt grain siding, no RT, Pakenham, c1985, [oREW]DN461 L 1168 - Down Pass, Plat 1, Flinders Street, 14/8/1981, [oPJV]DI820 L 1168 - part view cab side, #2 end, Warragul, 13/1/1971, [oPJV]BC927 L 1168 - sXp, Traralgon, 9/10/1976, [oRXO]DJ749 L 1168 - Up Pass on curve, Berwick, 17/7/1976, [oPJV]BB399 L 1169 - Dn pass, approaches platform, Vline, Morwell, c1984, [oGRE]DI772 L 1169 - night view, with L on depot wire road, Traralgon, 29/12/1970, [oPJV]DK740 L 1169 - Up briquettes, waits line in siding, Berwick, 17/7/1976, [oPJV]DI780 L 1169 - Up goods wait cross, at platform, Nar Nar Goon, 1/1/1971, [oPJV]AM267 L 1169 - Up goods, c1am, Nar Nar Goon, 1/1/1971, [oPJV]BG558 L 1169 - Up pass, Beaconsfield, 27/10/1975, [oPJV]DL250 L 1169 - Up Pass departs plat 1, Caulfield, 5/3/1980, [oPJV]AA156 L 1170, Caulfield, 6/7/1977, [oPJV]EA859 L 1170 + L - down empties, wait line, Moe, 9/1965, [oPJV]BR345 L 1170 + L 1165 - test run mu d, Werribee, 21/11/1984, [oPJV]BR342 L 1170 + L 1165 - test run, mu d, Werribee, 21/11/1984, [oPJV]BR350 L 1170 + L 1165 - test run; X 37 Up pass, Werribee, 21/11/1984, [oPJV]CU406 L 1170 - bogie detail/handbrake, South Dynon, 13/1/1979, [oPJV]EA858 L 1170 - Down empties, wait line, Moe, 9/1965, [oPJV]CU407 L 1170 - e1p, South Dynon, 13/1/1979, [oPJV]CU408 L 1170 - e1q, South Dynon, 13/1/1979, [oPJV]AM273 L 1170 - loco road, Traralgon, 6/1/1971, [oPJV]DI792 L 1170 - night view, alight, Traralgon, 6/1/1971, [oPJV]BR347 L 1170 - nose showing MU cables to L 1165, Werribee, 21/11/1984, [oPJV]EA860 L 1170 - trailing view, Moe, 9/1965, [oPJV]AM312 L 1171, [oPJV]AK257 L 1171 - Dn pass, B 80, Caulfield, 6/7/1977, [oPJV]AK259 L 1171 - Dn pass, L 1172 dn briquettes, Caulfield, 6/7/1977, [oPJV]AQ195 L 1171 - mod cab, passes B, Caulfield, c1977, [oPJV]DL252 L 1171 - modified ends, Flinders Street Yard, 6/3/1980, [oPJV]BC928 L 1172, Warragul, 9/10/1976, [oRXO]AK259 L 1172 - Dn briquettes, L 1171 Dn pass, Caulfield, 6/7/1977, [oPJV]CA843 L 1172 - Dn Pass ready to set back, Flinders Street Yard, c1985, [oREW]BL568 L 1172 - on shop bogies, Newport Workshops, 25/7/1980, [oPJV]BG641 L 1172 - s2e2, Newport Workshops, 6/11/1975, [oPJV]AM313 L 1173, [oPJV]BG998 L 1173 - +L, Dn Pass passes Up DRC+MT, Flinders Street Yard, 9/3/1976, [oPJV]BE878 L 1173 - 3 car N set, Flinders Street Yard, 27/9/1984, [oPJV]BB840 L 1173 - Dn engine block transfer, Newport, 31/3/1981, [oPJV]BK828 L 1173 - dn gds towed by X 43 under dead wire, 137M body, Berwick, 13/10/1982, [oPJV]DL605 L 1173 - Down goods, Oakleigh, 2/8/1980, [oPJV]DL606 L 1173 - Down goods/empty briquettes, Oakleigh, 2/8/1980, [oPJV]CC232 L 1173 - e1 profile, nose whistle, Newport Workshops, 2/4/1979, [oPJV]CK484 L 1173 - e1p, Newport Workshops, 7/3/1979, [oPJV]BE880 L 1173 - e1p, Flinders Street Yard, 27/9/1984, [oPJV]BE879 L 1173 - e1q, Flinders Street Yard, 27/9/1984, [oPJV]CK485 L 1173 - e1q, Newport Workshops, 7/3/1979, [oPJV]BE877 L 1173 - s1e1, BW pan, VR, nose whistle, Flinders Street Yard, 27/9/1984, [oPJV]CK483 L 1173 - s1e1c, Newport Workshops, 7/3/1979, [oPJV]CC233 L 1173 - s1e1c, nose whistle, Newport Workshops, 2/4/1979, [oPJV]DI929 L 1173 - Up goods, brakes, night, Morwell, 4/1/1972, [oPJV]CC234 L 1173 - VR, nose whistle, e1, Newport Workshops, 2/4/1979, [oPJV]AK582 L 1174, North Melbourne, 5/1968, [oPJV]DK463 L 1174 + L 1166 - Up briquettes/ZL approach Oakleigh, Huntingdale, 31/10/1977, [oPJV]BC929 L 1174 - goods, Warragul, 9/10/1976, [oRXO]BC930 L 1174 - le, Warragul, 9/10/1976, [oRXO]DI927 L 1174 - nose view/ part signalbox, Traralgon, 1/1972, [oPJV]BC931 L 1174 - sXp, East Yard, 12/1976, [oRXO]AQ196 L 1174 - Up briquette train, uncouples, Dn harris, Caulfield, c1977, [oPJV]AK309 L 1174 - Up briquettes, cutting off for diesel, Caulfield, 6/7/1977, [oPJV]
Diagrams for 'L '
FileID Description................................................AB700 L - electric, [sD26]AS501 L - electric, diagram Loco L-1, Undated, [oPTC]DF988 L - MSTS skin, Geoff Forrest, 5/2003, [sPJV]
File c013m compiled by Peter J. Vincent, updated 18/1/2007
