Re: Future for QR Tin sets

["Matthew Smith" <matticue@corplink.com.au>]

David Bromage wrote in message <75ism3$5ph$10@news.mel.aone.net.au>...
>.When
>built, the SX sets were designed to be converted to electric trains in the
>future, hence the space under the floors and the "cabs".
>
>Cheers
>David

Wrong. When the SX sets came out, they were to be the first generation QR
electric trains from the start. Land was acquired at Bindha adjacent to the
Golden Circle Cannery. This was to be the maintenance facility for the
electrics. Land was also acquired adjacent Sunshine station on the UP side.
This was to be the electric train shed.

The project never went ahead due to a change of government (approx 1959, I
am told). By this stage, maintenance sheds were built at Bindha and carriage
building was well and truly under way , including the 1500VDC electric
motors. The buildings at Bindha were sold off and the electric motors were
removed from the SX sets and stored at Ipswich Workshops. The motors were
finally scrapped in the mid eighties.

Many ideas have floated around about what to do with the SX sets. One idea
was to build and install 25KVAC motors to run on the existing system. This
was too costly. Another idea was to leave them as loco hauled but fit them
with air conditioning systems. This idea was also scrapped in favour of the
new fleet of SMU's.

Regards

Matt Smith
Brisbane, Queensland
matticue@corplink.com.au

You can't slam a revolving door.