The Railway Museum contains Victoria’s most extensive collection of steam locomotives, as well as a number of diesel and electric locomotives, electric suburban carriages, country and interstate passenger carriages, freight wagons, breakdown cranes, and more…

W243

W243 main image
W243-image

Constructed by Tulloch, Rhodes NSW and entered service February 1960.
Ended service as a shunter at Spotswood yard.
Designed as a shunting engine for the many Victorian Railways yards, but also saw service on Werribee passenger services (briefly) and branchline freight.
The class as a whole were plagued with engine and transmission problems that led to them being very unpopular with crews and fitters.
The original Mercedes engines were replaced with GM versions, but many of the issues persisted. Exhibit W255 shows the modifications for the newer engine.

W243 is the last unit in existance with the original Mercedes engine.
Photo by Andrew Henderson