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]
102hp Walker Railmotor
102hp Walker railmotor soon after delivery
Type and origin
Power type
Diesel
Designer
Walker Brothers
Builder
Walker Brothers (Power Unit) Martin & King (Body), Thompsons (Underframe) Victorian Railways (Assemble)
Build date
1948-1955
Total produced
13
Specifications
Gauge
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Length
8.5625 ft (2.6 m)
Loco weight
18.00t
Fuel type
Diesel
Engine type
Gardner 6LW
Performance figures
Maximum speed
45 miles per hour (72 km/h)
Power output
102 horsepower (76 kW)
Tractive effort
2,969 pounds-force (13.21 kN)
Career
Operators
Victorian Railways
Number in class
12
Numbers
1RM-13RM
First run
15 March 1948
153hp Walker Railmotor
Type and origin
Power type
Diesel
Designer
Walker Brothers
Builder
Walker Brothers (Power Unit) Martin & King (Body) Thompsons (Underframe) Victorian Railways (Assemble)
Build date
1948-1955
Total produced
16 (153hp)
Specifications
Gauge
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Length
10.55 ft (3.2 m)
Loco weight
20.00t – 153hp
Fuel type
Diesel
Engine type
Gardner 6L3
Performance figures
Maximum speed
50 miles per hour (80 km/h)
Power output
153 horsepower (114 kW)
Tractive effort
4,130 pounds-force (18.4 kN)
Career
Operators
Victorian Railways
Number in class
12
Numbers
20RM-35RM
First run
16 July 1948 (153hp)
102hp & 153hp Walker Railmotor – Passenger unit
Type and origin
Designer
Walker Brothers
Builder
Martin & King (Body) Thompsons (Underframe) Victorian Railways (Assemble)
Build date
1948-1953
Total produced
27
Specifications
Gauge
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Length
44.5 ft (10 m)
Fuel capacity
40 imperial gallons (180 L)
Performance figures
Maximum speed
50 miles per hour (80 km/h)
Career
Operators
Victorian Railways
Number in class
27
Numbers
100-101, 220-234
First run
15 March 1948
280hp Walker Railmotor
Type and origin
Power type
Diesel
Designer
Walker Brothers
Builder
Walker Brothers (Power Unit) Martin & King (Body) Thompsons (Underframe) Victorian Railways (Assemble)
Build date
1950-1954
Total produced
12 + spare power unit
Specifications
Gauge
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Length
37 m (121 ft 5 in)
Loco weight
55.00t
Fuel type
Diesel
Fuel capacity
2 x 50 imperial gallons (230 L)
Engine type
2 x Gardner 8LW 140 hp engines
Performance figures
Maximum speed
60 miles per hour (97 km/h)
Power output
280 horsepower (210 kW)
Tractive effort
6,285 pounds-force (27.96 kN)
Career
Operators
Victorian Railways
Number in class
12
Numbers
RM 80 – RM 91, RM 92 (Power unit)
First run
6 June 1950
Walker Railmotor Trailer
Type and origin
Designer
Walker Brothers
Builder
Martin & King (Body) Thompsons (Underframe) Victorian Railways (Assemble)
Specifications
Gauge
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)
Length
44.15 ft (10 m)
Loco weight
17.00t
Career
Operators
Victorian Railways
Number in class
16
Numbers
50MT-64MT
First run
18 October 1948
^"Railmotors: 102 hp Walker". VICSIG. www.vicsig.net. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
^"Railmotors: 280 hp Walker". VICSIG. www.vicsig.net. Retrieved 24 March 2008.
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