Railways and Tramways of Australia

Hybrid rail motors

 

The first 400 Class rail motor entered service in New South Wales on 11 August 1938.

 

Four of the 400 Class were built at the Carriage Works at Eveleigh, with all commencing service in 1938. They were hybrids, with the body design being similar to the Silver City Comet power cars, which began operating the year before, while the internal layout was similar to rail motor CHP38. Each car was powered by two Leyland petrol engines. They were capable of hauling trailer cars, which was part of their regular service, and eight trailers were manufactured by Ritchie Brothers at Auburn.

 

Class leader no. 401 ran trials before being transferred to Dubbo. It began service on the lines to Gwabegar, Coonamble and Molong. No 404 jointed it in Dubbo, while nos 402 and 403 were allocated to Narrandera. However, from August 1943 all four cars were operating out of Narrandera, servicing the lines to Tocumwal, Hay, Hillston and Junee.

 

No. 404 was scrapped following a fire in 1948. The other three cars remained at Narrandera until 1971, and then began operating branch line services from Moree, Narrabri and Tamworth. They were withdrawn when road coaches replaced them in November 1983. However, there was a brief reprieve as the rail motors replaced the coaches when roads became impassable following heavy rain over the next few months!

 

Rail motors 401 and 403 were obtained by the Dorrigo Steam Railway and Museum. No. 402 found a home with the Rail Motor Society at Paterson. It was subsequently equipped as a radio test vehicle and has operated widely throughout New South Wales and interstate when required.

 

No. 402 operates occasional heritage services, including at the annual Hunter Valley Steamfest. A hybrid rail motor proudly operates alongside steam engines.

 

Bibliography

D Cooke, Railmotors and XPTs, Australian Railway Historical Society (NSW Division), Sydney, 1984.

RG Preston, ‘The 400 Class railcars’, In Australian Diesel Scene 4, Eveleigh Press, Sydney, 2000, pp 58–93.

C Walters, Diesel and electric trains, trams and railcars of NSW, Australian Railway Historical Society (NSW Division), Sydney, 2024.