AEC railmotor

The AEC railmotor was the first generally successful railmotor built for the Victorian Railways. 19 vehicles were constructed from 1922 to 1925, along with 24 trailer vehicles built to a similar design.

A.E.C. railmotor
AEC railmotor near Fawkner
In service	1922–1954
Manufacturer	Associated Equipment Company (Chassis & Engine) Victorian Railways (Body)
Designer	Victorian Railways
Assembly	Victorian Railways
Built at	Newport Workshops
Constructed	1922–1925
Number built	19
Number scrapped	19
Design code	RM
Fleet numbers	1–19
Capacity	32 to 37 passengers
Specifications
Prime mover(s)	Petrol
Engine type	Petrol engine
Power output	45 hp (34 kW)
Track gauge	5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)

10 RM At Mornington

Design

Four different internal layouts were used, providing for different traffic.

Railmotor	First Class	Second Class		Railmotor	First Class	Second Class
AEC 1	0	37		AEC 10	32	0
AEC 2	0	37		AEC 11	32	0
AEC 3	0	37		AEC 12	0	37
AEC 4	0	37		AEC 13	0	37
AEC 5	0	37		AEC 14	10	22
AEC 6	0	37		AEC 15	32	0
AEC 7	10	22		AEC 16	32	0
AEC 8	32	0		AEC 17	32	0
AEC 9	11	21		AEC 18	10	22
				AEC 19	32	0

Construction

In service

• AEC railmotors were used on the Reservoir – Whittlesea shuttle service from 1924 until 1931.^[1]
• On the Outer Circle line, a pair of AEC railmotors coupled back to back operated the Deepdene Dasher service from Riversdale to Deepdene from 15 August 1926 until 10 October 1927, after which the service was replaced by buses.^[2]

• A single AEC railmotor operated a shuttle service on the Upfield line, between Fawkner and Somerton (just south of the site of the current Roxburgh Park station), from 1928 until 1956. A turntable for the railmotor was installed at Fawkner and Somerton.^[3]

Withdrawal & preservation

The AECs were progressively withdrawn in the early 1950s as the new Walker railmotors came into service.

None survive into preservation.

See also

• Victorian Railways
• Associated Equipment Company

References

1. Jack McLean (November 1995). "Reservoir – Whittlesea: Signalling and Safeworking". Newsrail. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division): 333–337.
2. David Beardsell and Bruce Herbert (1979). The Outer Circle: A history of the Oakleigh to Fairfield Park Railway. Australian Railway Historical Society (Victorian Division). p. 63. ISBN 0-85849-024-2.
3. "Somerton" (PDF). Victorian Signalling Histories. Andrew Waugh. Retrieved 22 January 2008.