The WAGR AI class was a petrol-driven railmotor or railcar operated between 1935 and 1949 by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR).
| WAGR AI class | |
|---|---|
 AI 432 on the Marble Bar Railway | |
| Entered service | 1935 |
| Number built | 1 |
| Fleet numbers | 432 |
| Operators | WAGR |
| Lines served | Port Hedland–Marble Bar |
| Specifications | |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Officially designated as a petrol coach, it was built at the Midland Railway Workshops in 1935.
Chassis and powertrain
editThe railcar was based on a Dodge K 32 truck chassis purchased from Winterbottom Motor Co in Perth, Western Australia. It had a four-wheeled bogie at the front end, and a drive axle at the rear. Powered by a 25 hp 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine, it was equipped with a four speed bidirectional gearbox, and could reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h) in each direction. Its fuel capacity was 15 imp gal (68 L; 18 US gal).[1]
Payload
editThe railcar's maximum payload was eight passengers and 1.5 long tons (1.5 t) of freight.[1]
Service history
editThe WAGR built the railcar specifically to provide a service on the very lightly trafficked Port Hedland–Marble Bar railway in the Pilbara. Upon completion, it was shipped to Port Hedland aboard the MV Koolinda. It was issued to traffic in October 1935, as WAGR fleet number 432.[1]
In 1937, the WAGR placed its railcars into classes, and no. 432 was classified as the AI class. It remained in service through World War II, but was sold to the State Saw Mills in 1949. Its ultimate fate is not known[1]
References
editNotes
edit- ^ a b c d May & Gray 2006, p. 169.
Bibliography
edit- Joyce, John; Tilley, Allan (1980). Railways in the Pilbara (2nd ed.). Wembley, WA: J & A Publications. ISBN 0959969926. OCLC 222691305.
- May, Andrew S; Gray, Bill (2006). A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages. Midland, WA: Bill Gray. ISBN 0646459023.
External links
edit
Media related to WAGR AI class at Wikimedia Commons