F 176 displayed at the ARHS museum at North Williamstown on 10 May 2003.

This interesting 2-4-2T locomotive actually started its career as a 2-4-0 tender locomotive.  Beyer Peacock & Co, Manchester supplied the first F-class 2-4-0 locomotive to the Victorian Railways in 1873 and a further twenty were later constructed by the Phoenix Foundry Company, Ballarat, between 1876 and 1880.  Preserved locomotive F 176 was built by Phoenix as their builder's number 61 of 1879.

In 1911, seven of the F-class (including F 176) were rebuilt to 2-4-2T configuration for use as "motor engines" on light traffic branch lines, although retaining their original class designation and road numbers.  (The motor engine concept was based on small, economical locomotives hauling one or two coaches to a more frequent schedule, often with the locomotive crew also working to collect fares; this idea continued to develop through to steam, petrol and diesel-powered railmotors and railcars.)

Following withdrawal by the Victorian Railways in 1920, F 176 was sold to H. V. Mackay for shunting duties at their Sunshine Harvester Works.  This company became Massey-Ferguson (Aust) Pty Ltd and F 176 continued in shunting duties at their Sunshine tractor factory until 1961.  Fortunately it was donated by Massey-Ferguson to the Australian Railway Historical Society (Victoria Division) and is displayed among the exhibits at the Railway Museum at North Williamstown.  It is the oldest surviving Victorian Railways steam locomotive.

Page updated:  24 November 2013