Brief History Of The Class.

During the middle of the Great Depression in 1935, the Victorian Railways were looking to provide cheap mail and passenger services on some of their less patronized branchlines where even the expense of an existing railmotor could not be justified. For sometime, the railways had been running a number of cars converted to run on rails as part of their inspection fleet used by District Superintendents. This concept was seen as an alternative to a 'large' train.

A contract was let in February 1936 for six petrol driven sedan type rail cars to the Canada Cycle & Motor Co. The six chassis, manufactured by the Dodge Bros. U.S.A., were delivered by the company to Melbourne, railed to Islington where they were modified to run on rails by the South Australian Railways and fitted with bodies built by Messrs T.J.Richards & Sons, South Australia. They were painted in the normal South Australian livery for such cars (a number of Morris cars were run by the S.A.R) of black with chrome yellow stripes.

They quickly became known as "Tigers" and given the road numbers of 70 to 75RM. When introduced, they were stationed at Forest, Goroke, Avoca, Rushworth and Katamatite. They provided a much improved service to the few passengers that patronized these lines, but they were only a stop gap measure. After the end of the Second World War, they remained in service until replaced by the new Walker Railcars or the passenger service was withdrawn. The last unit in service was 72RM at Forest in 1952.

Interesting Notes.

74RM is a little known, but important link in the evolution of the attempts by the Victorian Railways to provide an economic passenger and mail service on it's lightly patronized branchlines.

Restoration Policy

74RM is currently undergoing major restoration at Daylesford. It will appear in 1940's condition.