The locomotives leased from V/Line will be repainted in SSR livery. Image: SSR

PRIVATE freight operator Southern Shorthaul Railroad has taken out a long-term lease on 10 N-Class locomotives formerly operating in the V/Line passenger fleet.

The units will be used to haul grain wagons and containers to help reduce of freight moving on Victoria’s roads.

The increased number of trains available for the freight task is expected to improve operational capacity and efficiency, as well as support the deployment of longer trains.

V/Line, supported by Freight Victoria, the Department of Transport and Planning, and the Department of Treasury and Finance, have made the lease agreement possible.

An opportunity for more locomotives to be repurposed on the freight network exists as further V/Line classic fleet trains are progressively replaced with modern VLocity trains.

Almost 1600km of Victorian track is used to transport freight to port.

The Victorian Government has invested almost $370 million in rail freight maintenance since 2020.

The 2024-25 Victorian Budget allocated $104.3M to grow freight on rail through a further package of targeted projects.

“With freight volumes expected to increase significantly in coming years, this initiative to repurpose passenger locomotives is an important step in getting more freight on to rail and off local roads,” Vic Minister for Ports and Freight Melissa Horne said.

“We look forward to seeing these locomotives out and about moving product to port, ensuring we continue to grow Victoria’s rail-freight business for generations to come.”

Source: Victorian Government