The Victorian Railways class W consisted of 25 shunters built by Tulloch in New South Wales in 1959. They were based on the German V 60 and had a 650 hp V12 diesel from Mercedes, which transmitted its power via a hydraulic transmission from Krupp. Only one axle was driven directly, the other two were connected to it via coupling rods.
They were unpopular with the staff and were rebuilt several times. First, the second set of controls was removed in both directions and soon the fast gear was removed, reducing the top speed from 40 to 20 mph. Now they were only used in shunting duties. From 1973 the Mercedes engines were replaced by the Detroit Diesel 12V-149.
Tulloch had built a standard gauge locomotive in the hope of selling this type to the NSWGR. It bore the number 7101 and thus formed class 71. However, the NSWGR sold it to the VR, which used it on the construction site of a standard gauge line. Tulloch had also built a standard-gauge locomotive directly for the VR, but no further orders were placed. This was now used in the same area as the former 7101.
