WAGR AI class

WAGR AI class
AI 432 on the Marble Bar Railway
Entered service	1935
Number built	1
Fleet numbers	432
Operator(s)	WAGR
Line(s) served	Port Hedland–Marble Bar
Specifications
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)

The WAGR AI class was a petrol-driven railmotor or railcar operated between 1935 and 1949 by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR).

Officially designated as a petrol coach, it was built at the Midland Railway Workshops in 1935.

Chassis and powertrain

The railcar was based on a Dodge K 32 truck chassis purchased from Winterbottom Motor Co in Perth, Western Australia. It had a four wheeled bogie at the front end, and a drive axle at the rear. Powered by a 25 hp 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine, it was equipped with a four speed bidirectional gearbox, and could reach speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h) in each direction. Its fuel capacity was 15 imp gal (68 l; 18 US gal).^[1]

Payload

The railcar's maximum payload was eight passengers and 1.5 long tons (1.5 t) of freight.^[1]

Service history

The WAGR built the railcar specifically to provide a service on the very lightly trafficked Port Hedland–Marble Bar railway in the Pilbara. Upon completion, it was shipped to Port Hedland aboard the MV Koolinda. It was issued to traffic in October 1935, as WAGR fleet number 432.^[1]

In 1937, the WAGR placed its railcars into classes, and no. 432 was classified as the AI class. It remained in service through World War II, but was sold to the State Saw Mills in 1949. Its ultimate fate is not known^[1]

References

Notes

1 2 3 4 May & Gray 2006, p. 169.

Bibliography

Joyce, John; Tilley, Allan (1980). Railways in the Pilbara (2nd ed.). Wembley, WA: J & A Publications. ISBN 0959969926. OCLC 222691305.
May, Andrew S; Gray, Bill (2006). A History of WAGR Passenger Carriages. Midland, WA: Bill Gray. ISBN 0646459023.

External links

Media related to WAGR AI class at Wikimedia Commons

Railcars and multiple units of the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) and its successors

Steam (3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm))	ASA

Petrol (3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm))	AO AI

Diesel (3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm))	ADE/ADT ADF/ADU ADG ADH ADX ADK/ADB ADL/ADC ADP/ADQ

Diesel (4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in (1,435 mm))	WCA/WCE WDA/WDB/WDC

Electric (3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm))	AEA/AEB (A-series) BEA/BEB/BET (B-series) C-series (planned)

Rail transport in Western Australia Transperth Trains Western Australian Government Railways Westrail

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