Diesel Locomotive A60 is a diesel-electric railway locomotive measuring ca.18.70 metres long and weighing ca.113.2 tonnes. The locomotive, which entered service as B60 in 1952 and was named Harold W Clapp, underwent conversion to A60 in 1984 and is now known as Sir Harold Clapp. The locomotive generally retains its original body and external shape and appearance.
How is it significant?
Diesel Locomotive A60 is of historical significance to the State of Victoria. It satisfies the following criterion for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register:
Criterion A: Importance to the course, or pattern, of Victoria’s cultural history.
Criterion H: Special association with the life or works of a person, or group of persons, of importance in Victoria’s history.
Why is it significant?
Diesel Locomotive A60 is historically significant for its association with the modernisation and dieselisation of the Victorian Railways. The diesel locomotives purchased following World War II rapidly replaced steam powered locomotives and revolutionised rail transport in Victoria by substantially increasing the efficiency and economics of passenger and freight transport throughout the whole state. Diesel Locomotive A60 in its B60 format was the first mainline diesel locomotive to operate in Victoria and its rebuild as A60 ensured its continued operation. [Criterion A]
Diesel Locomotive A60 is historically significant because of its association with the Victorian Railways’ Operation Phoenix and New Deal for Country Passengers programs. In the 1950s, as part of Victoria’s post war recovery, the extensive Operation Phoenix program revived the badly neglected Victorian Railways system and provided much needed improvements to passenger and freight services. The 1980s New Deal for Country Passengers revolutionised the provision of country passenger railway services in Victoria and increased patronage at a time when there were proposals to cease country passenger services. Powerful diesel locomotives were an important aspect of both these programs. [Criterion A]
Diesel Locomotive A60 is historically significant because in its original B60 format it was the flagship of the Victorian Railways for thirty years from the 1950s. It was used in advertising and events to promote the modernisation of the railway system, for example a model of the locomotive appeared in the Moomba parade in 1955. It initially hauled new long-distance trains such as The Overland express and the Spirit of Progress as well as the Royal Train when Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia in 1954. [Criterion A]
Diesel Locomotive A60 is historically significant for its association with former Victorian Railways Commissioner Harold Clapp. In its B60 format the locomotive was named Harold W. Clapp in recognition of his substantial contribution to the development and enhancement of the Victorian Railways and improved conditions for passengers, staff and rail freight users. His work ensured that railways remain important to Victoria today. Diesel Locomotive A60 was one of the important outcomes of Clapp’s work to improve and modernise Victorian locomotives. [Criterion H]
