Production

The pattern engine was constructed by Beyer, Peacock & Company in 1874. An order for 20 more locomotives of this design was placed 2 years later with the Phoenix Foundry in Ballarat, with 10 built in 1876–77 and a further 10 in 1879–80. They were originally supplied with four-wheeled tenders, but were eventually provided with larger six-wheeled ones which increased their water capacity to 1,710 imp gal (7,800 L; 2,050 US gal).^[3]

Regular service

In early life they were mainly used on the main lines radiating form Ballarat and Ararat. By 1894, 3 were allotted to Geelong, 5 to Ararat, 3 to Ballarat, 2 to Seymour, 2 to Benalla, 2 to Princes Bridge, and 4 to Sale.^[3]

Design improvements

All were reboilered between 1902-12, along with the T class, to a new common, larger boiler type.^[3]

Accidents

• 10 November 1878 - F98 ran through the end on the engine shed at Dunolly^[3]
• 26 July 1881 - F98 collided with H160 at Beaufort^[3]
• ? - F142 in collision at Creswick^[3]
• 11 March 1897 - F172 derailed at Cannon Hill near Warrnambool^[3]

Withdrawal

The un-rebuilt tender engines were taken off register between 1916 and 1924, and the "motors" were taken off between 1920 and 1929. F184 was sold to Earlston, Cranbourne for £750^[3].
One of the 2-4-2T class survives, number 176, having been sold to the Sunshine Harvester Works in 1920 for £1500,^[3] where was used as a shunter until 1961. It was then donated to the Newport Railway Museum, and is the oldest surviving Victorian Railway locomotive, having been built in 1880.