NZR RM class (Standard)

NZR RM class (Standard)
NZR RM class
Standard

RM 31 (Tokomaru) at the Pahiatua Railcar Society
In service 1938–1972
Manufacturer New Zealand Government Railways
Built at Hutt Workshops
Constructed 1938
Number built 6
Number in service None
Number preserved 4
Fleet numbers 30–35
Capacity 48–52 passengers
Operator New Zealand Government Railways
Specifications
Car length 67 ft 11 in (20.70 m)
Width 8 ft 9 in (2.67 m)
Maximum speed 62 mph (100 km/h)
Weight 30 tonnes (66,000 lb)
Engine(s) Meadows 6-cylinder, 2 off
Power output 85 kW (114 hp) (×2)
Transmission Mechanical
UIC classification A1-1A
Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)

The NZR RM class Standard railcars were a class of railcar operated by the New Zealand Railways Department in the North Island of New Zealand. Officially classified as RM like all other railcar classes in New Zealand, they acquired the designation of 'Standard' to differentiate them from others. They were introduced in 1938.

Contents

Background

Since the 1912 experiments with a MacEwan-Pratt petrol railcar, the New Zealand Railways Department had been seeking an effective and successful railcar design. Many routes simply did not have the demand to economically justify locomotive-hauled passenger express trains, so railcars were seen as a viable alternative. New Zealand's difficult terrain posed problems to railcar design, but in 1936, the Wairarapa railcars were introduced and proved to be a great success on the route from Wellington over the Rimutaka Incline to the Wairarapa Line, and following from this, the Standard railcars were designed to provide regional services in on regular lines in the North Island.

Six total were built in the NZR Hutt Workshops in 1938 and 1939, each with a semi-streamlined design featuring slanting ends. Driving controls were located at each end of the railcar so that they did not have to be turned at termini. They wore out three sets of engines; the original Leyland engines were replaced with Meadows engines. The original cream body colour with a green stripe was inconspicuous, and was replaced with red plus a stripe and a grey roof (Wright).

All six of the Standard railcars were named after Māori canoes.

Operation

RM 31 (Tokomaru) going for a run through the Pahiatua station yard.

The Standard railcars were first used to operate a fast return service from Wellington to New Plymouth, and soon a Hawkes Bay service between Wairoa and Napier was added, along with a Sundays-only return service from Napier to Wellington. In 1943, the Wairoa-Napier service was extended to serve Gisborne.

In 1955, the 88 seater railcars were introduced, and 88 seaters and Standards initially shared duties on the New Plymouth and Hawkes Bay services, but soon the 88 seaters took over all of the Hawkes Bay services and the Standard railcars were left to run the New Plymouth route. After the opening of the Rimutaka Tunnel in November 1955, both the 88 seater and Standard railcars soon took over from the Wairarapa railcars and operated a service from Wellington to Palmerston North via the Wairarapa.

The Standard railcars never operated in the South Island, as the Vulcan railcars were built to operate rural services on that island.

Record Runs

In September 1938 RM 30 covered the 321 km between Napier and Wellington in 4 hours and 36 minutes running time. In 1967 RM 30 took a group of railway enthusiasts from Auckland to Wellington in 9 hours and 26 minutes (running time 8 hours and 42 minutes).

Withdrawal and preservation

RM 31 (Tokomaru) at Pahiatua.

The Standard railcars were withdrawn in 1972, and two-thirds of the class have been preserved.

Class register

Key: In service Out of service Auckland Transport service Preserved Overhaul Scrapped
Number Name Introduced Withdrawn Notes
RM30 Aotea 01938-07 July 1938 01972-12 December 1972 Preserved, Silver Stream Railway.
RM31 Tokomaru 01938-08 August 1938 01972-12 December 1972 Preserved, Pahiatua Railcar Society. Certified for main line running. Undergoing main line trials and crew training.[1]
RM32 Pangatoru 01938-10 October 1938 01972-12 December 1972 Preserved, Waikato Branch of the NZRLS, currently located at Glenbrook Vintage Railway undergoing restoration work.
RM33 Tākitimu 01939-02 February 1939 01972-12 December 1972 Scrapped.
RM34 Tainui 01939-03 March 1939 01972-12 December 1972 Preserved, Silver Stream Railway, stored.
RM35 Tikitere 01939-07 July 1939 01972-12 December 1972 Scrapped.

References

  • Rail: The Great New Zealand Adventure by Roy Sinclair (1987, Grantham House Wellington) ISBN 1869340132 (record runs, page 85)
  • Rails Across New Zealand by Matthew Wright (2003, Whitcoulls NZ) ISBN 1-87732-714-X (page 76)

Footnotes

  1. ^ Morris, Karl; McNaught, Reid, eds. (September 2011), New Zealand Railfan (Mosgiel: Triple M Publications) 17 (3), ISSN 1173-2229 


External links



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