The 2000 class railcars are a class of self-propelled railcars built by Commonwealth Engineering, Rocklea for the Queensland Railways between 1956 and 1971.
History
In 1956, two 2000 class railmotor prototypes were constructed by Queensland Railways at its Ipswich Railway Workshops sheeted in satin finished aluminium. They were powered by AEC engines."2000 Class Railmotors" The Workshops Rail Museum 23 October 2003
In 1959, ten units were ordered from Commonwealth Engineering. These differed from the prototypes in having sheeted stainless steel and Rolls-Royce engines. In 1963, a further five were ordered, followed in 1971 by a further ten. The last four were completed as Passenger Luggage Driving Trailers with access doors at both ends instead of a streamlined front, allowing the formation of three-car (and occasionally four-car) trains.
They operated services around Brisbane as well as being allocated to Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.
Most were withdrawn in the early 1990s, with the last operating in regular service on the Corinda-Yeerongpilly line in January 2000."QR ICE Set Controversy" Railway Digest March 2000 page 14
Queensland Rail retains nine units, of which three operate The Savannahlander tourist train,Rollingstock Savannahlander three are operational with the QR Heritage Division (and occasionally used by Queensland Rail for track inspections) and three are stored at Ipswich Workshops. Aurizon inherited two units from QR National which are used for track inspections. These units are now with DownsSteam Tourist Railway & Museum. Many others are preserved.
In October 2022, two units were road transferred from Ipswich to Longreach for Outback Aussie Tours for their upcoming “Outback Rail Adventure” tours.
Summary Key:In ServiceWithdrawnPreservedScrapped
Number In service Withdrawn Scrapped Current owner NotesRM2000Some time after 2004Prototype CarsRM2001Some time after 2004Prototype CarsRM2002PrivateStoredRM2003RM2004DownsSteam Tourist Railway & MuseumOperational, formerly operated by AurizonRM2005Queensland Rail Heritage DivisionStoredRM2006Zig Zag RailwayRepairs in progressRM2007PrivateStoredRM2008Zig Zag RailwayStoredRM2009PrivateStoredRM2010RM2011Zig Zag RailwayRepairs in progressRM2012PrivateBody preserved at Station Road Cafe, Station Road Yeerongpilly. RM2013RM2014Mount Morgan Railway MuseumOperationalRM2015RM2016Zig Zag RailwayBurnt in 2013 New South Wales bushfires.RM2017Mary Valley RattlerOperationalRM2018RM2019RM2020Zig Zag RailwayStoredRM2021PrivateStoredRM2022RM2023Mary Valley RattlerOperationalRM2024Queensland Rail Heritage DivisionUnder restoration at Atherton - Herberton Historic RailwayRM2025PrivateStoredRM2026Queensland RailLeased to Cairns Kuranda Steam to operate the SavannahlanderRM2027RM2028Queensland RailLeased to Cairns Kuranda Steam to operate the SavannahlanderRM2029RM2030RM2031Queensland Rail Heritage DivisionUnder restoration at Atherton - Herberton Historic RailwayRM2032DownsSteam Tourist Railway & MuseumOperational, formerly operated by AurizonRM2033Australian Railway Historical SocietyRosewood Railway MuseumRM2034Queensland RailLeased to Outback Aussie Tours to operate the Longreach based Outback Rail AdventureRM2036Queensland RailLeased to Outback Aussie Tours to operate the Longreach based Outback Rail AdventureRM2038Australian Railway Historical SocietyRosewood Railway MuseumRM2040RM2051Zig Zag RailwayRepairs in progressRM2053Queensland RailLeased to Cairns Kuranda Steam to operate the SavannahlanderRM2055Zig Zag RailwayBurnt in 2013 bushfiresRM2057Queensland Rail Heritage Division.Operational, has received a new engine and some new internal modifications; including Disabled Access and Toilet facilities. Main line registered
References
External links Queensland's Great Trains gallery