Historical information

This photo was taken the same time as EDHS_04673-36 an A2-class Steam Locomotive 987 sitting on the other side of the platform at Spencer Street Railway Station.

280HP Walker Railmotor

Walker Railmotors are diesel railcars, or train sets, that were designed to improve the passenger services on Victorian branchlines in Australia. They were practically a bus service on rails.

These motors entered service in 1948 with the 102 hp and the 154 hp units. The 102 hp units were built until 1955 and the 153 hp units stopped being built one year before. The 280 hp units were built from 1950-1951. The engine and drive systems were built by the Walker Railcar Company in Wigan, England, and the bodies were built by Martin & King in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The railcars were put together by Victorian Railways. The railcars were, in the end, gradually replaced by a diesel electric railcar from 1978 on. Amazingly these railcars survived to this time, even though they were in direct competition with the bus service. By 1980 no Walker Railmotor cars or trainsets were in service. Very few are preserved.

REF: Walker Railmotors, https://locomotive.fandom.com/wiki/Walker_Railmotors

Physical description

Digital TIFF file
Scan of black and white 620 format contact print