HEAVY HARRY LOCOMOTIVE

The H Class Locomotive H220 also known as Heavy Harry, was built in 1941 and was the only one built of three H class locomotives originally planned. It was the largest and heaviest steam locomotive in the Victorian Railways fleet, the largest steam locomotive built in Australia and the heaviest non-articulated steam locomotive in the southern hemisphere. 

Heavy Harry incorporated a number of innovations including conjugated lever gearing; three cylinders; distinctive twin chimneys; an all steel boiler, operating at 220psi which was the highest pressure of any locomotive operating in Australia at the time and a mechanical screw conveyor stoker with fuel distribution controlled by set of steam valves operated by the fireman in the cab. The mechanical stoker was the first to be used in Victoria. Heavy Harry's tender was designed with sufficient capacity to avoid the need for refuelling over long routes, such as Melbourne to Ararat.

Heavy Harry was withdrawn from service in 1958 as steam power was replaced by diesel electric motive power in the Victorian rail system.

Heavy Harry is of historic and technical (scientific) significance to the State of Victoria

Heavy Harry is of technical significance (scientific) for representing the peak of steam motive power technology in Victoria. 

Heavy Harry is of technical significance (scientific) as the only example of its class built. 

Heavy Harry is of historical significance in the history of rail transport in Victoria as the most powerful steam locomotive in the Victorian rail network.