Railways and Tramways of Australia
Y Class
Shunter Y129 near Southern Cross station, Melbourne, 22 December 2015.
Road numbers:
Y115, Y119, Y124, Y129, Y134, Y136, Y142, Y147–8, Y151–2, Y156–7, Y161, Y163, Y169, Y171, Y174
Operator:
BlueScope Steel (Y148); Downer Rail (Y134, Y136); Ettamogah Rail Hub (Y115, Y119, Y124, Y142, Y147, Y151, Y152, Y157, Y169, Y171, Y174); V/Line Passenger (Y129, Y156, Y161, Y163)
Gauge:
1435 mm; 1600 mm
Year of entry into service:
1963
Number built:
75
Model:
G6B
Manufacturer:
Clyde Engineering
Manufacturing location:
Granville, NSW
Engine:
EMD 567C (Y101–50); EMD 645E (Y151–75)
Traction power:
447 kW (Y101–50); 559 kW (Y151–75)
Wheel arrangement:
Bo-Bo
Weight:
65.0 t
Length:
12.2 m
The Y Class entered service with Victorian Railways in 1963, eventually comprising 75 units. They were mostly used in shunting service, but also saw a range of other duties, including extensive work on rural branch lines. The last 25 units were built with more powerful engines than the first 50. Most were withdrawn in the 1980s and 1990s, but a number remain in service with a variety of operators on standard and broad gauge tracks.