Episode 16 - Rail Motors

Christmas time and the school holidays would bring back memories of long train journeys to far flung parts of Queensland, for many people. The link between country and regional towns, and the smaller townships, was the railmotor. For many decades in Queensland, the small red painted 45 horsepower AEC motors (based on a London bus design), ‘red rattlers’, or the later incarnations of the ‘Tin Hares’, through to the streamlined 2000 class ‘Silver Bullets’ provided an important connection for many Queenslanders to the railway townships. 

School children made their journey to school on the ‘RMs’, special stops in regional towns were made for intending passengers, and places such as Cooktown, and Normanton became a ‘railmotor’ dependent railway from the late 1920s. 

This episode looks back on the distinctive petrol- and diesel-powered railmotors that were such an iconic part of the Queensland Railways throughout the 20th century.     

We also talk with Glen Watson who at the time of recording was Officer in Charge at Normanton and driving the Gulflander. He shares many stories and personal experiences to do with his time both in Queensland and around the world for Queensland Rail.

You can find images to go along with the episode here:
https://queenslandrail.intelligencebank.com/customshare/index/0MXzp?trackingId=JnpAl

You can also book your Gulflander experience today.