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Walker railmotor

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Walker Railmotors
102hp Walker railmotor soon after delivery
Stock typeDiesel railmotor
In service1948-1981
ManufacturerWalker Brothers (power units)
Martin & King (bodies)
Thompsons (underframes)
DesignerWalker Brothers
AssemblyVictorian Railways
ReplacedSteam locomotives and carriges
AEC railmotors
Leyland railmotors
Constructed1948-1955 (102/153hp power units)
1948-1953 (102/153hp passenger units)
1950-1953 (280hp sets)
Entered service15 March 1948 (102hp)
16 July 1948 (153hp)
6 June 1950 (280hp)
18 October 1948 (trailers)
Scrapped1970-1981
Number built102hp power units: 13
153hp power units: 16
102/153hp passenger units: 27
280hp: 12 (+ 1 spare power unit)
Trailers: 16
Number preserved102hp: 1
153hp: 3
280hp: 3
Trailers: 3
Fleet numbers1-13RM (102hp power units)
20-35RM (153hp power units)
100-101, 220-234 (102/153hp passenger units)
80-92RM (280hp units)
50-64MT (Trailers)
OperatorsVictorian Railways (trading as Vicrail from 1974)
Lines servedVarious
Specifications
Train length102hp: 12.6 m (41 ft 4 in)
153hp: 13.2 m (43 ft 4 in)
280hp: 37 m (121 ft 5 in)
Car length102hp power unit: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
153hp power unit: 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
102/153hp passenger units and trailers: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Maximum speed1-13RM: 45 mph (72 km/h)
20-13RM: 50 mph (80 km/h)
280hp sets: 60 mph (97 km/h)
Weight1-13RM: 18 t (18 long tons; 20 short tons)
20-35RM: 20 t (20 long tons; 22 short tons)
280hp (whole): 55 t (54 long tons; 61 short tons)
Trailers: 17 t (17 long tons; 19 short tons)
Prime mover(s)1-13RM: Gardner 6LW
20-35RM: Gardner 6L3
80-92RM: 2x Gardner 8LW (140 hp (100 kW)
Power output1-13RM: 102 hp (76 kW)
20-35RM: 153 hp (114 kW)
80-92RM: 280 hp (210 kW)
Tractive effort1-13RM: 13.21 kN (2,970 lbf)
20-35RM: 18.4 kN (4,100 lbf)
80-92RM: 27.96 kN (6,290 lbf)
Track gauge5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Notes/references
Fuel capacity:
  • 102/153hp units: 40 imp gal (180 L)
  • 280hp units: 2 x 50 imp gal (230 L)

The family of Walker railmotors were a type of diesel railcar operated by the Victorian Railways in Australia.

After World War II, the Victorian Railways undertook a major rebuilding program known as Operation Phoenix. One of the first tasks was the upgrading of passenger services on country branch lines, through the replacement of 23 wooden-bodied railmotors built in the 1920s, and the withdrawal of steam locomotive hauled mixed trains.

An initial order of twelve 102 hp (76 kW) railcars, six 153 hp (114 kW) railcars with trailers, and twelve 280 hp (210 kW) railcars was placed with Walker Brothers, Wigan, England. It was then extended to include a further ten 153 hp (110 kW) railmotors and trailers. The first was delivered in 1948, with additions to the fleet running through to 1955.[1][2]

Construction

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The power units and controls were built by Walker Bros. and shipped out from Wigan England, the underframes were built by Thompsons of Castlemaine and the car bodies were built by Martin & King, in the Melbourne suburb of Armadale. Assembly took place at the Newport Workshops. The van bodies were constructed with composite wood and steel framework, and aluminium sheeting screwed to the frames.

The engine and trailing units were initially fitted with small plates below skirt level identifying each section as part of that specific railmotor set, i.e. 80RM,[3] but these were removed as units were rotated through workshops and mixed with each other. Within a few years the identity of the 102 hp (76 kW) and 153 hp (114 kW) motors was marked only on the cabside door (with nothing on the saloon unit), and on the 280 hp (209 kW) railmotors only on one side of each motor unit with nothing on either saloon unit. Vehicle identities were occasionally further confused when cabside doors were swapped in later years.

The intended life of the Walker railmotors was only 10 years. However, most remained in service for up to 30 years.

102hp & 153hp

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The final fleet included 13x 102 hp (76 kW) engine/driving units 1-13RM and 16x 153 hp (114 kW) engine/driving units 20-35RM which looked similar; these shared 27x trailing units each mounted on only one bogie, and attached semi-permanently to the associated motor unit, leaving one motor unit of each type spare. The trailing units were not identified normally when in service, but some correspondence notes individual identities No.100 to No.111 (or No.101 to No.112[4]) and No.220 to No.234. This was marked on a small plate on the passenger/driver door of cabs.

The passenger units were all identical with room for 18 1st class and 22 2nd class seated passengers plus 2 tons luggage, except for 100, 104 and 220, which had 18+27 seats and room for only 1.27 tons of luggage; their tare weight was a ton less than the rest of the fleet.

Newsrail April 1982 records the small-van units as "11, 12 and 20", and coupled to 3RM as of 8 June 1976, and 31RM as of 1 January 1977.[5]

280hp

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Separate to the paired units, railmotors 80-92RM consisted of two driving/sitting units, one either side of the power unit that gave its identity to the full consist. Originally, 80-91RM were in service and 92RM was spare without attached driving/passenger units.

One unit in each pair was fitted with seating for 38 1st class passengers, and the other had 56 2nd class passengers, for a total of 94 seats. Each was also capable of holding a single ton of luggage, the train crew only were permitted to walk through the centre motor unit engine room.

Unlike the 120 hp (89 kW) and 153 hp (114 kW) variants, the driving/passenger units of the 280 hp (209 kW) series were classed A880-A891 for the 1st class units, and B880-B891 for the 2nd class units. While possible, there's no reason to assume that the sets were broken up or shuffled around, besides the central motor section.

Trailers

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To go with the Walker railmotors, sixteen trailer cars were built. The first were delivered as class RMT, numbers 50 and 51; they were reclassed to MT in 1949, and further deliveries brought the class up to 64MT.

Each was mounted on two bogies with no driving stands, so they required a runaround at terminal stations. Stylistically, they matched the 102 hp (76 kW) and 153 hp (114 kW) railcars, and were a little shorter than the 280 hp (209 kW) type.

Each trailer had capacity for 16 1st, 22 2 nd seated passengers and 2 tons of luggage, except 55MT fitted with 38 2nd-class seats instead of a mixture.

Like the motors, these trailers were not fitted with standard couplings so special arrangements had to be made when it was necessary to move one of the trailers with a normal locomotive.

In service

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The first run was on 15 March 1948, between Heathcote and Wallan on the North Eastern line; this was with 102 hp (76 kW), 1RM. The first 153 hp (114 kW) unit ran from Spencer Street to Daylesford, until that roster was taken by the first of the 280 hp (209 kW) units - 80RM - on 6 June 1950.

The railcars soon saw use on the Bendigo-Deniliquin and Ararat-Portland services, and by the time the 91RM was delivered, Mansfield, Wonthaggi, Woomelang and Wangaratta were also being served by the units. The long Glenrowan – Wangaratta section often saw the railcars exceed the 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) speed limit.[6]

Each passenger unit was equipped with adjustable seating, internal heating, non-draught windows, water tanks for drinking or washing, along with ample luggage storage in overhead wire racks. At least when new, the engines did not cause any vibration in the passenger compartments. The lighting system was powered by the then-standard Victorian Railways' 24vDC supply, which utilised a belt-driven axle generator to charge batteries and 20-watt globes. Trailer cars were not fitted with their own power supply, instead drawing power via jumper cables from adjacent units; the exceptions being 54 and 56MT, which are thought to have had their own belt-driven axle generator to charge their own batteries.[4]

The 280 hp (209 kW) railcars were fitted with fluorescent lighting, likely a first for the Victorian Railways.

The light construction of the vehicles proved problematic, with many needing full rebuilds by 1954.[4]

It has been reported that the 280 hp (209 kW) units had provision for multiple unit control, but that this feature was never utilised.[4] As a result, when running in multiple each unit needed to have its own driver, the two communicating through the standard whistle codes used on locomotives.

In later years the railcars' already poor riding qualities had deteriorated, especially due to their light construction. By the late 1970s the Walkers had reached the end of their lives, with a number of railcars being withdrawn from service during 1978 and 1979. By 1980 only 82RM, 85RM and 91RM remained in service.[6] The last 280 hp (209 kW) Walker railmotor ran on 17 September 1980, with 82RM operating the 08:00 service from Melbourne to Woodend and return.

In 1981 the Central Highlands Tourist Railway (now the Daylesford Spa Country Railway) acquired 91RM, 32RM and 56MT with the transfer being carried out in March 1982. Restoration of 91RM began in January 1987, and was certified for traffic in March 1990.[6]

Liveries

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Each unit was originally painted in all-over royal blue, with silver roofs, striping and highlighting. After the first of the B class diesels was delivered, the Walkers then in service were repainted, with gold replacing the silver. Over time, the roofs were repainted blue to hide grime, and the logos and striping were made simpler. To improve visibility at level crossings, the cars had thin orange stripes added in the 1950s, followed by a wide orange "dayglo" band over the top of the yellow stripe below window level. Dayglo was designed to look fairly normal in daylight, but to become reflective at night. These stripes were removed from 1968.

A number of internal themes were used, with some cars having ivory ceilings and green and brown walls; others had blue ceilings with brown walls. All cars were fitted with seats upholstered in brown leather.

Typical rosters

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By 1963, the Walkers had settled into a pattern with a number of routes.

The 102 hp Walkers typically ran between:

  • Morwell - Mirboo North
  • Ararat - Hamilton
  • Swan Hill - Piangil
  • Castlemaine - Maryborough
  • Benalla - Yarrawonga
  • Ballarat - Ararat
  • Nyora - Wonthaggi
  • Horsham - Goroke
  • Kerang - Koondrook
  • Ouyen - Pinnaroo and
  • Numurkah - Cobram

The 153 hp Walkers typically ran between:

  • Traralgon - Maffra
  • Ballarat - Linton
  • Echuca - Balranald
  • Ararat - Hamilton
  • Frankston - Mornington
  • Ballarat - Ballan
  • Bendigo - Deniliquin
  • Echuca - Kyabram "School Train", with three trailers.
  • Lilydale - Healesville
  • Melbourne - Seymour
  • Dimboola - Serviceton
  • Bendigo - Cohuna
  • Wallan - Heathcote
  • Lilydale - Warburton and
  • Melbourne - Mansfield

The 280 hp Walkers typically ran between:

  • Ararat - Portland
  • Melbourne - Werribee
  • Melbourne - Leongatha
  • Melbourne - Daylesford
  • Melbourne - Woomelang
  • Melbourne - Wonthaggi and
  • Geelong - Ballarat
  • Frankston - Stony Point

Some of these rosters required multiple units.

Walker Railcar at Romsey

Withdrawal and scrapping

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35RM with unit no.224 was the first to be scrapped, on Thursday 15 October 1970. Scrapping then continued at a fairly easy pace until 1977, when VicRail decreed that branch lines in general were to be closed, rendering the units without a purpose. As such, 102 hp overhauls were stopped, with failed units being held awaiting scrapping instead. The same procedure applied to 153 hp and 280 hp units from April the next year.

4RM was the last 102 hp unit in service, withdrawn in December 1978; it survived longer because its engine unit had been replaced with a General Motors unit at some stage in its life, permitting a 50 mph maximum speed and allowing it to closer match the timetables applicable to the higher-horsepower units.

Withdrawals of the larger units accelerated, and by the end of 1979 only 22, 32, 82, 85 and 91RM were still in service. The latter two of that list were withdrawn next; 85RM suffered a bearing failure and continued on to Ballarat North Workshops on one engine; however, its body condition was deemed too poor to be worth repairing, so it was transferred to Newport Workshops and was stored there. 82RM was the last of the 280 hp units to go, after running an 8:00 Melbourne to Woodend and return trip on 17 September 1980.

32RM ran with 56MT through to November 1980, when the engine was withdrawn on account of a much needed overhaul (which was never completed by VicRail). 22RM and 64MT stayed in service, usually running the 9:11 am Melbourne to Leongatha and return trip on weekdays, occasionally forming a Sunbury trip or two after arriving back in Melbourne. On Saturdays the unit pair would run on the Werribee shuttles, and occasionally to either Bacchus Marsh or Seymour as railmotor shortages dictated. but eventually, the gearbox failed and the unit was withdrawn following its return from Leongatha on 1 April 1981.

Preservation

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280 hp Walker Railcar at Daylesford

In 1981, two railmotors and a trailer – 32RM, 91RM and 56MT – were scheduled to be transferred to the SteamRanger Heritage Railway at Victor Harbor, South Australia. 91RM failed on the Ingliston Bank and the three ended up stored at Ballarat East. Later, the three units were purchased by the Central Highlands Tourist Railway, now the Daylesford Spa Country Railway. 7RM was being held at Newport for future use on the Victorian Goldfields Railway. 22RM was static in the Newport Railway Museum, with 85RM held for future addition, and 59MT was similarly allocated, but was badly vandalised, potentially to be replaced by 64MT. 82RM was stored at Wodonga for a proposed tourist service at Tallangatta.

It is thought that the passenger units which had been with 29RM and 31RM at time of scrapping had been sold for use as sheds somewhere in the Victorian countryside.

Units existing as at March 11, 2023 are:

  • 7RM Stored at Daylesford.
  • 22RM with No.225 – Owned by VicTrack, allocated to Newport Railway Museum, sub-allocated to Yarra Valley Tourist Railway. In service.
  • 24RM Possibly with No.228. Stored in poor condition at Yarra Valley Tourist Railway (previously owned by Tallangatta Valley Steam Preservation Society at Huon).
  • 32RM In service at Daylesford.
  • 82RM with No.887A and No.891B – Stored at Daylesford.
  • 85RM with Units X, Y – Stored at Daylesford.
  • 91RM with No.880A and No.887B – In service at Daylesford.
  • 56MT – Stored at Daylesford.
  • 58MT – Under restoration at the Yarra Valley Tourist Railway.
  • 64MT – Location unknown.

Details of vehicles

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102hp, 153hp and passenger units

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Railmotor Entered service Withdrawn Scrapped Status 24 March 1976[4] Current Status Notes
1RM Thursday, 4 March 1948 1971 Sunday, 19 November 1972 Scrapped Scrapped
2RM Sunday, 14 March 1948 1977 Swan Hill (for Piangil)
3RM Friday, 6 August 1948 1978 Bendigo North Workshops
4RM Tuesday, 15 February 1949 1978 Melbourne Fitted with GM motor, 128 hp.
5RM Wednesday, 1 June 1949 1973 Sunday, 24 February 1974 Scrapped Scrapped
6RM Thursday, 23 June 1949 1978 Bendigo North Workshops
7RM Friday, 22 July 1949 Monday, 3 April 1978 Kerang (for Koondrook) N/A Stored, pending restoration at Daylesford Spa Country Railway
8RM Monday, 26 September 1949 1978 Bendigo (Spare)
9RM Monday, 10 October 1949 1976 Tuesday, 1 June 1976 Bendigo (burnt out, awaiting scrapping) Scrapped
10RM Friday, 4 November 1949 1978 Spotswood reclamation depot, June 1979. Melbourne Scrapped
11RM Tuesday, 20 December 1949 1978 Maryborough (for Castlemaine)
12RM Friday, 10 February 1950 1981 Scrapped Scrapped
13RM Wednesday, 26 January 1955 1978 Newport Workshops Original spare power unit
20RM Friday, 16 July 1948 Monday, 20 February 1978 Wednesday, 30 April 1980 Ararat (repairs) Scrapped Damaged in a derailment after hitting sheep. Accident occurred between Traralgon and Maffra.
21RM Thursday, 16 September 1948 Monday, 3 April 1978 N/A Newport Workshops Offered for sale on 21 June 1978.
22RM Monday, 15 November 1948 Tuesday, 1 April 1980 N/A Newport Workshops (Spare power unit) Allocated to Australian Railway Historical Society Museum at Newport; suballocated to Yarra Valley Tourist Railway. Operational – Restored, paired with No.225.
23RM Friday, 5 November 1948 Friday, 8 April 1977 Thursday, 5 May 1977 Healesville (for Lilydale) Scrapped
24RM Wednesday, 23 March 1949 Serviceton (for Horsham) Stored at Yarra Valley Tourist Railway. In poor condition. Formerly owned by Tallangatta Valley Steam Preservation Society. Possibly paired with 228.
25RM Thursday, 19 May 1949 Friday, 26 November 1971 Friday, 16 June 1972 Scrapped Scrapped
26RM Wednesday, 2 July 1952 Friday, 8 April 1977 Thursday, 5 May 1977 Melbourne Scrapped
27RM Thursday, 31 July 1952 Monday, 1 May 1978 N/A Mornington (for Frankston) Offered for sale on 21 June 1978.
28RM Wednesday, 10 September 1952 Monday, 1 May 1978 Friday, 25 July 1980 Maffra (for Traralgon) Scrapped
29RM Monday, 6 October 1952 Tuesday, 4 September 1979 Tuesday, 1 July 1980 Melbourne Scrapped
30RM Thursday, 20 November 1952 Wednesday, 3 October 1973 Thursday, 22 June 1978 Wonthaggi (for Nyora) Scrapped
31RM Monday, 9 February 1953 Wednesday, 21 December 1977 Tuesday, 1 July 1980 Ballarat (for Linton) Scrapped Derailed between Lilydale and Coldstream
on 19 February 1962.
32RM Tuesday, 24 March 1953 Tuesday, 13 January 1981 N/A Ballarat (for Maryborough) Now at Daylesford Spa Country Railway Operational - Restored in mid 1950s blue and gold livery. Paired with No.232.
33RM Friday, 7 August 1953 Tuesday, 4 September 1979 Ararat (repairs)
34RM Wednesday, 23 September 1953 Monday, 1 May 1978 Newport Workshops
35RM Friday, 3 September 1954 Thursday, 15 October 1970 Thursday, 15 Oct 1970 Scrapped Scrapped Original spare power unit.
No.100 Thursday, 4 March 1948 45 seats, reduced luggage capacity
No.101 Sunday, 14 March 1948 1978
No.102 Friday, 6 August 1948
No.103 Tuesday, 15 February 1949 1978
No.104 Wednesday, 1 June 1949 1978 45 seats, reduced luggage capacity
No.105 Thursday, 23 June 1949
No.106 Friday, 22 July 1949 1978
No.107 Monday, 26 September 1949
No.108 Monday, 10 October 1949 1978
No.109 Friday, 4 November 1949 1978
No.110 Tuesday, 20 December 1949 1978
No.111 Friday, 10 February 1950 1971
No.220 Friday, 16 July 1948 1978 45 seats, reduced luggage capacity
No.221 Thursday, 16 September 1948 1978
No.222 Monday, 15 November 1948 1978
No.223 Friday, 5 November 1948 1978
No.224 Wednesday, 23 March 1949 1970 Thursday, 15 Oct 1970
No.225 Thursday, 19 May 1949 1980 Allocated to Australian Railway Historical Society Museum at Newport; suballocated to Yarra Valley Tourist Railway. Operational – Restored, paired with 22RM.
No.226 Wednesday, 2 July 1952 1977
No.227 Thursday, 31 July 1952 1978
No.228 Wednesday, 10 September 1952 1979 Possibly paired with 24RM at Yarra Valley Tourist Railway.
No.229 Monday, 6 October 1952 1981
No.230 Thursday, 20 November 1952 1978
No.231 Monday, 9 February 1953 1977
No.232 Tuesday, 24 March 1953 1981 Now at Daylesford Spa Country Railway Operational - Restored in mid 1950s blue and gold livery. Paired with 32RM.
No.233 Friday, 7 August 1953 1979
No.234 Wednesday, 23 September 1953 1979

280hp and passenger units

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Railmotor Entered service Withdrawn Scrapped Status 24 March 1976[4] Current Status Notes
80RM Tuesday, 6 June 1950 Melbourne
81RM Monday, 21 August 1950 Newport Workshops
82RM Tuesday, 12 December 1950 N/A Ballarat North Workshops Now at Daylesford Spa Country Railway Stored pending restoration. Paired with 887A and 891B
83RM Friday, 2 February 1951 Newport Workshops
84RM Wednesday, 21 March 1951 Melbourne
85RM Wednesday, 23 May 1951 Newport (for Werribee) Now at Daylesford Spa Country Railway Stored pending restoration
86RM Tuesday, 17 July 1951 Melbourne
87RM Friday, 3 August 1951 Melbourne
88RM Friday, 7 September 1951 Melbourne
89RM Thursday, 25 October 1951 1980 Melbourne Scrapped
90RM Thursday, 13 December 1951 Ballarat North Workshops
91RM Sunday, 30 December 1951 N/A Crib Point (for Frankston) Now at Daylesford Spa Country Railway Operational, paired with 880A and 887B.
92RM N/A Newport Workshops (Spare power unit) Original spare power unit only
880A Tuesday, 6 June 1950 Now at Daylesford Spa Country Railway Operational, paired with 91RM and 887B.
881A Monday, 21 August 1950
882A Tuesday, 12 December 1950
883A Friday, 2 February 1951
884A Wednesday, 21 March 1951
885A Wednesday, 23 May 1951
886A Tuesday, 17 July 1951
887A Friday, 3 August 1951 Now at Daylesford Spa Country Railway Stored pending restoration. Paired with 82RM and 891B
888A Friday, 7 September 1951
889A Thursday, 25 October 1951
890A Thursday, 13 December 1951
891A Sunday, 30 December 1951
880B Tuesday, 6 June 1950
881B Monday, 21 August 1950
882B Tuesday, 12 December 1950
883B Friday, 2 February 1951
884B Wednesday, 21 March 1951
885B Wednesday, 23 May 1951
886B Tuesday, 17 July 1951
887B Friday, 3 August 1951 Now at Daylesford Spa Country Railway Operational, paired with 880A and 91RM.
888B Friday, 7 September 1951
889B Thursday, 25 October 1951
890B Thursday, 13 December 1951
891B Sunday, 30 December 1951 Now at Daylesford Spa Country Railway Stored pending restoration. Paired with 887A and 82RM.

Trailers

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Railmotor Entered service Withdrawn Scrapped Status 24 March 1976[4] Current Status Notes
50MT 18 October 1948 Bendigo North Workshops
51MT 7 December 1948 Melbourne
52MT 25 February 1949 Linton (for Ballarat)
53MT 24 June 1949 Bendigo North Workshops
54MT 9 July 1949 Ballarat loco depot Fitted with belt-driven axle generator and batteries
55MT 30 July 1949 1979 Clunes (for Maryborough) All 2nd class, 38 seats
56MT 5 February 1952 Melbourne Fitted with belt-driven axle generator and batteries
57MT 11 August 1952 30 June 1977 Melbourne
58MT 17 September 1952 Healesville (for Lilydale) 27 April 1983 – Sold to Tallangatta[7]
59MT 24 October 1952 1982 Bendigo North Workshops
60MT 4 December 1952 Melbourne
61MT 17 February 1953 Melbourne
62MT 25 November 1953 Bendigo North Workshops
63MT 23 December 1953 Clunes (for Maryborough)
64MT 18 June 1954 Frankston (for Crib Point or Mornington) 13 October 1983 – Sold to Tallangatta[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Railmotors: 102 hp Walker". VICSIG. www.vicsig.net. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  2. ^ "Railmotors: 280 hp Walker". VICSIG. www.vicsig.net. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
  3. ^ "Unknown".[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Newsrail December 1981 pg284
  5. ^ Newsrail April 1982 pg79, correcting photo captions Newsrail December 1981 pg292
  6. ^ a b c Barry Fell (July 1990). "A very brief history of the 280s". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). pp. 200–201.
  7. ^ a b PJV'S
  • Newsrail December 1981 p. 284