ROLLING STOCK

The Cooma Monaro Railway uses the CPH Railmotor, the well known 'Tin Hare'. Created in 1923, the type served for some 65 years on NSW country feeder lines and outer suburban branches. In Sydney, Richmond and Sutherland were two places in which the CPH was well known.

The first CMR motor to be restored was number 6. It first left the shed under its own power in November 1995.

Lessons learned on number 6 were quickly applied to the restoration of the second motor car, number 22. As a result, it took somewhat less time to do, leaving the shed in March 1998.

The third car to undergo the treatment was non powered driving trailer car CTH 55. Trailer cars are comparatively rare, and we believe that 55 is now the only one in going condition. The trailer is easy to recognise because of its lack of the radiators prominent on the roof of the motor cars.

CMR decided to fit the car out as a dining and lounge car - a unique configuration! The photo below shows the dining tables and the lounge area with the kitchen at the far end. The dining capacity is 24 persons in 6 booths. The car is available for parties and dining runs.

An Unusual Combination

If the number of passengers on a run exceeds the number that one railmotor can comfortably accommodate, the service is normally provided by our two motor cars (nos. 6 and 22). However, whilst number 6 has been undergoing maintenance recently, such services have seen number 22 operating with trailer car 55. This car has a driving compartment at one end, with a small kitchen in between the cab and the passenger lounge/dining seating. Driving the train from this position is an experience for the drivers, as the usual engine noise is almost absent, and there is a feeling of remoteness from where the action is. You can always pick the trailer in photos, even if you can't see its number, by its lack of a roof mounted radiator.

Restorations

When CPH 8 first arrived at the CMR, it was considered beyond restoration. Well I guess one should never say 'never' when it comes to the enthusiasm some people have for restoring old rail engines and carriages (not just CPHs).

Pretty in Pink

When these first two photos were taken, the inside of No 8 still had a fair bit of work to be done, but by then no one doubted that it will join our two other motors and our trailer car in active service.

As the photos below clearly show, CPH 8 is now well on the way to that happy day when it will run again, joining 6, 22 and 55 in daily operations on the CMR. 'Well done' to our crew in the shed.

Isn't She a Beauty

But what about number 8's motor? The venerable GM 6/71 diesel from number 8 was in dire need of a complete overhaul, with numerous bits missing or needing replacing. Fortunately, member Rob McCutcheon has had considerable experience running and maintaining buses. He took the motor down to his home on the coast of southern NSW and has worked his magic on it. He has provided us with photos of the completed unit (and what a fine job it is too). So, all you 6/71 enthusiasts (we know you are out there) can rejoice in the new lease of life for this veteran campaigner. A big thank you to Rob from the CMR!

With the major component of the engine taken care of, the CMR is again calling on members to set aside some time to devote to the completion of the bodywork. Hopefully soon then, members will feel the thrill and the pride as another 'new' CPH emerges from the shed.

Well, actually No. 8 has been out of the shed a few times already, just not under its own power. Sometimes it is brought to the platform to be on display on gala days and the like. Then one has a rare opportunity to photograph the full compliment of CMR's passenger rolling stock together.

Maintenance - A Co-operative Effort

Late in 2009, railmotor No 6 was in need of attention. It's torque converter (transmission) had reached breaking point and required repair and refurbishment. The Office of Rail heritage (ORH) negotiated to have this performed by the Railcorp Rail Apprentices, with the Rail Motor Society (RMS) contributing a repair kit and expertise to the project. On Wednesday 18^th November, a small handover ceremony was held in the Apprentice Annex at Eveleigh to handover the refurbished converter to CMR.

In taking delivery of the unit, CMR expressed heartfelt thanks to the project participants:

The Railcorp Apprentices: their quality restoration work is already well known and CMR was delighted that they could help us out. Work has been completed in time to get No 6 up and running for CMR’s busiest day of the year – the Cooma Cup in early December.

ORH: for their pivotal role in facilitating the resourcing and scheduling of the work to be done

Rail Motor Society: RMS have helped CMR and other heritage groups before now. We commend them for their willingness to share their resources and expertise.

CMR Members: involvement in negotiations, unit removal and transport – Peter McFarlane, Grahame Linkenbagh, Rob McCutcheon, Lindsay McLachlan, James Sullivan and Peter Lawrence.

Overall, this was a great example of what can be achieved by the heritage movement and ORH working together.

The converter is hoisted up ready to load onto Peter Lawrence’s trailer for the return journey to Cooma.

At the handover: the Apprentices team with ORH and CMR representatives.

Postscript

On the weekend of the CMR annual general meeting (21-22 November), Peter Lawrence and Rob McCutcheon spent almost all of the two days working to reinstall the Converter into No 6. Installation is a very tricky procedure and it tested their skill and patience to the limit. But they got the job done and No 6 was running again. A very big thank you was due to these guys.

Peter - up top Rob - down under

22 waits for 6 to be repaired. The red flag on 6 indicates that it is not available for revenue service.

Trolleys

The final occupants of the shed are a small collection of trolleys. These vehicles have rendered sterling service in the areas of track preparation, inspection and maintenance, and provided us with enjoyable rides within the confines of the yard before the CPHs first turned a wheel.

Now, the trolley's main use is in weed spraying (see photo below). However, there are plans to convert our second L Truck (see L Trucks) to perform this function on a larger scale.

For the foreseeable future, this will be the extent of our rolling stock. However, we do not rule out the possibility of other types of locomotion if and when the circumstances permit.

Our Next Track Vehicle?

We had a slightly unusual visitor last Sunday!

Whilst the three occupants of the personnel carrier went for a train ride, we began to speculate on how useful it could be as a track vehicle. It is fitted with a V8 motor and the 6wd should make it easy to pull out old sleepers. The high ground clearance will take away the worry of wandering sheep getting caught up underneath. The gun will be useful in removing objects from the line such as fallen trees. By the look of the tow hooks fitted to the rear, it should couple up with our "S" truck or even a CPH if required. By the size of the radio antennae, we should have no trouble contacting our president at his property or even our members from Canberra or the coast. With the addition of a couple of CMR logos, I'm sure you will agree that it would be a worthwhile addition to the CMR fleet. However, there may be a problem in obtaining appropriate Certificates Of Competency to drive it.

(Our thanks to Vice President John Gibson who supplied the photos and much of the speculation)!