 The class was designed to have as many parts as possible interchangeable with the W class.It was designed with the intention of being converted to standard gauge, however when the new gauge arrived 10 years later, more powerful diesel locomotives were introduced and the V class saw out their days on the narrow gauge network.The rated load capacity was 1,320 tons between Brunswick Junction and Armadale, compared to 1,135 tons for the S class and 850 tons for the Fs class.