Queensland Railmotors

Panhard Railmotor

The Panhard railmotor was constructed in 1918 at the Ipswich Railway Workshops, Queensland and was the first of many to be made for use in Queensland's outback. The name Panhard was adopted as it used an engine made by the Panhard & Levassor company of France. In 1922 the railmotor was sent to the isolated Normanton to Croydon railway line (Gulf of Carpentaria). The Panhard railmotor was built to carry up to ten passengers. In fine weather, passengers enjoyed good views of the country. It was open sided and canvas blinds were rolled down in wet weather. As well as passengers, it carried goods on a small trailer. The Panhard was officially withdrawn from service in 1941. Text: courtesy Queensland Railmotors

Red Fred (RM55) Railmotor

Red Fred (RM55) started life as an AEC petrol powered railmotor in December 1930. Like most of Queensland's Red Railmotors, it was built on the chassis of an AEC bus/truck, and when first constructed had no side windows. In 1938 the body was enclosed and the AEC petrol motor replaced with a 38 kW (50hp) 4 cylinder Gardner diesel engine. Red Fred’s stamping grounds started around Isis, then Fassifern and Beaudesert around the 1940s and 50s. Finally he ended up in Townsville around 1954 and stayed there he was withdrawn from service in 1966, being the last of this type in service. It would have been normal for him to tow a trailer, and Red Fred’s current trailer (PL72) is older than Fred himself, being built in 1928.

It was stripped for restoration for the “Beenleigh Vintage Railway” (forerunner of the Rosewood Railway). This work was completed by Society members in 1983-1984, and it was used for mainline excursions until 1989. It is now part of the heritage collection of The Rosewood Railway, Ashwell, Qld.

RM60 Red Railmotor

Like RM74, RM60 is also an AEC railmotor, built at the Ipswich Railway Workshops. Built in 1931 and powered by a 45 horsepower diesel motor, it was in service o the Normanton to Croydon railway from 1960 to 1964. In 1993 RM60 was sent to Townsville Workshops for an overhaul, whilst its motor was being overhauled at Ipswich Railway Workshops. RM60 was returned to Normanton in 1994 and used for short excursions or special charters.

RM74 Red Railmotor

RM74 is a 100 horsepower AEC railmotor, built Ipswich Railway Workshops 1934. It was converted in 1942 to diesel, with the instalation of a 102 horsepower Gardiner diesel engine. RM74 was in service Normanton-Croydon railway between 1964 and 1982.



The railmotor was transferred to Ipswich Railway Workshops in 1982 and was acquired by the Redland Shire Museum at Cleveland in 1984, where irt is presently on display.

RM76 'Red Rattler' Railmotor

'Red Ratter' is a general term used to describe a series of road vehicles that were modified to run on the railway tracks of rural Queensland. The AEC powered Heritage Railmotor RM76 traditionally ran the Brooloo line to Gympie providing a daily link to the town for shopping, the transportation of goods and a means for children to get to school. The present owner of RM76, Bellarine Pennisula Railway in Victoria, has leased RM76 to Mary Vale Heritage Railway.

Queensland Rail Comeng 1800 class

Known as 'Blue Lagoons', the Comeng 1800 class was introduced into service in the late 50s to service suburban areas which did not justify a steam hauled service. These railmotors could be found throughout the Brisbane suburban network, and were used to run some South Brisbane-Southport services. These railmotors were displaced gradually with the newer 2000 class due to their slow acceleration. Unfortunately very few of these railmotors were preserved, with the only one in original condition being 1815 at the Rosewood Railway Museum. Two 1800 class trailers have found there way on to the Gulflander service and are hauled by RM93. Another is in a paddock in the Mary Valley region, at Greenbank on Private Property and another in Jandowae.

Queensland Rail Comeng 1900 class Budd Cars

The 1900 class railcars railcars built by Commonwealth Engineering, Granville for the Queensland Railways in 1956. In 1956 two 1900 class railmotor prototypes were constructed by Commonwealth Engineering, Granville using Budd construction techniques. The railmotors suffered from continuous gearbox problems and Queensland Railways elected to purchase 2000 class 'Silver Bullets' instead (see Queensland Multiple Units). RM1901 is retained by Queensland Rail as part of its Heritage Fleet. It is used for heritage tours and occasionally used for track inspections. When not required for use it is stored at the Workshops Rail Museum, North Ipswich.

Rail Motors By State