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| H class steam locomotive | |||||
| wheel arrangement: 4-8-4 | |||||
H 220 is "as built" condition
| Number in Class | 1 |
| Number group | 220 |
| Construction period | 1941 |
| In service | 1941 - 1956 |
| Where built | Newport |
| Tractive effort | 55,000 lbs @ 85% boiler pressure |
Built to eliminate double heading on the "The Overland" between Melbourne and Ararat. 3 of these massive machines were to be built but only one, H 220 was ever completed. VR's biggest passenger loco and only 4-8-4, it never fulfilled its designers intention due to the fact that the Parwan trestle was never rebuilt to allow its great weight to pass over it in regular service. (It made at least 2 post war test runs to Ararat.) The rest of its life was spent hauling goods trains on the North East line. It was alowed a glimpse of its intended purpose in life when it very occasionally ran in passenger service between Melbourne and Albury. After its short service life of 15 years withdrawal occured in 1956 and it only escaped the torch due to the lobbying efforts of the late Gerald Dee. It is now the star exhibit at the ARHS museum at North Williamstown
Whilst H 220 came to be known as "Heavy Harry" by the public and railfans it appears that this name was not in common use by employees.
BELOW: Early in its life the two domes were covered with one large dome
BELOW: H 220 during construction at Newport, 1941
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