Brief History Of The Class.

In the 1950's, two underframes from scrapped wagons were utilized to build ballast ploughs. These ploughs were towed by ballast trains to evenly spread the dropped ballast. They were used until the early 1970's when they were replaced by self propelled ballast ploughs. N1 was scrapped in late 1976 and N2 was preserved by the CHTR at Daylesford.

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References: Vincent, Peter, "N - Ballast Wagon", Victorian Railways Rolling Stock 1886 - 1996, CD-ROM, 1998

History of N2 (From P. Vincent)

1897	Built as four wheel U van No.231 by Robison and Co.
1951	U231 scrapped and underframe kept.
1953	Ballast plough N2 was constructed on the recycled underframe from U231.
1976	N2 in service in the Geelong area and kept in the North Geelong yard.
1984	Off register.
199?	Restored by CHTR.

Restoration Policy

Painted and lettered to a 1969 scheme.

Heritage Significance

N2 is of state significance as the only surviving example of a vehicle constructed as a ballast plough by the Victorian Railways. It is a physical reminder of the effort made by the Victorian Railways in the mid 1950's to recondition and upgrade its railway lines that had become run down during the second world war and the years that followed. N2 was one of two similar vehicles constructed to expedite the laying of new ballast.