They were powered by the Fairmont RO-C series
motor, using a flat belt drive to a two-speed gearbox mounted on
the rear axle.
Accorded to Tutts, some 540 cars were built in the
period between 1961 through to 1980, although, as Greg notes, the NSWGR had these cars in service in 1952. Photo shows a well restored
Queensland Railways Mt14 Z42 at Gympie - home of the Mary
Valley Railway
The above car is believed to be one of several
M14-Z24s built for use in Queensland. One was sold at auction in November 2003.
The car, owned by the Farleigh Mill, was known as the
"Bumble Bee" and that name that was painted onto itThat car carried Pacific Number 1046, and was
noted as built 1976, Engine No 110683Additional plates note "built under licence from
Fairmont Railway Motors Inc.,Fairmont, Minnesota, U. S. A. Fairmont No. 240119,
Model M14-Z24."It is understood to be the only Fairmont type car
supplied to a sugar mill in the last 30 years.Queensland Rail also ran a couple of Z24 cars on
its 2ft gauge Innisfail Tramway until that was sold in 1977.
The cars were returned south for
regauging.Thanks to John Browning for the information on "Bumble
Bee" and the photo above.
