Railmaps

Today's historic photo of the day: Exactly 40 years ago today, B74 in Vicrail Tangerine and Silver 'Teacup' livery hauls a VLine passenger train out of Spencer Street station, Melbourne, March 10 1986

B74 is one of 26 B class GM-powered double-ended streamline mainline diesel #locomotives introduced by the Victorian Railways in 1952 and 1953. They were highly successful and were the basis upon which the VR committed to full dieselisation of the entire network and elimination of steam traction.

Mar 10 at 12:56amWeb
Show threadRailmapsMar 10

Whilst some B class locos were upgraded to A class, and many withdrawn, a couple remain in service today. B74 herself was withdrawn in 1988, but she has been preserved and today, now 73 years old and restored to her original blue and gold livery, is one of the stars of Victoria's heritage rail fleet.

At right is 6-month old N451, the first of VLine's N class fleet, coupled to one of her even younger sisters - which must have been one of N452-N457 as they were the only Ns in service then.

Show threadMrAndrewDMar 10

@railmaps I note the "radio equipped" sticker on the front, replete with lightening emoji.

What value was there in placing a sticker on the front if the loco regarding the radio status?

Show threadRailmapsMar 11
@MrAndrewD Those stickers were more commonly placed on the side beneath the driver's window. I'm not sure what value the sticker added. You would think that loco rostering staff would have known that based on the road number of the unit. Perhaps it became a but of public relations - 'dear passengers, look how advanced we are on this railway paid for by your taxes'. I don't know.