Introduced as part of the Victorian Government's "New Deal" for Country Passengers, the P Class are a rebuild of the Victorian Railways first series T Class. The original order of eight was later extended to thirteen and were delivered with head end power to provide electricity for air conditioning and lighting for carriages. 

The P Class have proven to be a reliable and dependable class, seeing service across the state in both passenger and freight duties. 

The original order of eight currently see service with V/Line on passenger duties, and the other five are hauling freight trains with Pacific National.