Railmotor Trailers

After the withdrawal and scraping of the DERM trailers in 1982, heavyweight passenger cars were used as trailers for both the DERM's and DRC's. Trailers were used on services when a single railmotor didn't provide enough capacity for passengers offering.

58RM with 44BW on a down Bacchus Marsh service 6/01/1983.

Near journeys end, 58RM with 40BW rolls over the MacArthur St crossing with a service from Donald. 

 

Four wooden passenger cars were converted as dedicated trailers, MT 31 (ex ABW), MT 32 to 34 (ex VFW transferred off the standard gauge). All four trailers were painted blue and yellow to match the DERM's.

In addition to these dedicated trailers, ordinary heavyweight passenger cars were also used. When used as trailers, these cars needed to be fitted with a marker lamp and tail disc.

These cars were a struggle for the ageing DERM's, being 10 tonnes heavier than the original 25 tonne trailers. Until the MTH cars converted from Harris cars entered service in 1984, these trailers were also used behind DRC's.

Railmotor availability was a real issue during 1983. Of the 9 DERM's and 4 DRC's it was not uncommon to see many of them out of service. For example on the 24th March 1983, there were only 2 DERM's and 1 DRC available. 

DRC42 on an Up Seymour service at Kilmore East on 14/03/1983. DRC42 failed a fortnight later and was sent to Bendigo North Workshop for refurbishment.
 

For most of the 1983 there was limited availability of DRC's. At the start of the year, both DRC 40 and 43 were in Bendigo North Workshops being refurbished, with DRC 41 and 42 in service, but prone to failure. DRC 42 failed just before Easter and was subsequently sent to Bendigo North for repairs. Solo DRC41 continued in service.

Roster N15 was in operation from the 30th April 1983, had 5 railmotor rosters , 4 DERM (runs 30, 31 and 32) and one DRC (600) (run 38). During this period DRC 41 wasn't very reliable with passenger trains with scratch sets often having to be substituted.

DRC43 emerged from the workshops began operating scheduled services in July, taking over run 38, with DRC41 being rostered for running services scheduled for a DERM. Late in 1983, DRC41 was taken out of service and sent to Bendigo North Workshops for refurbishing.

Below are some examples of railmotor workings from this period.



At 6:10am on the 6/01/1983, 56RM with 33BW runs through West Footscray with a Up Bacchus Marsh service.



Refurbished DRC No.43 hauls 33MT on an down Seymour service at Kilmore East, 28/12/1983.

 



58RM with 34MT on a down Bacchus Marsh service at Sunshine on 03/02/1984.



DRC43 and MT on a Seymour service at Wallan on 24/03/1984

With DRC 43 out of service for repairs over the Christmas / New Year period, a DERM and trailer are being employed on the layout on Donald services. The DERM was worked empty to Ballarat, commencing duties to Donald on the 27th December 1983. For additional capacity 44 BW was attached for the service on the 28th December 1983, but after developing issues was replaced by 40 BW for services from the 30th December.

 

58RM with 44BW accelerates away from Ballarat with a service to Donald.
 

DRC43 awaiting repairs at Ballarat East. 

35 years ago on the 27th December 1983, 60 RM on a down Seymour service pauses at Kilmore East.