NDH class Gloucester Railcars

NDH class Gloucester Railcars - NDH 1 to 6

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NDH 1

NDH 2

NDH 3

NDH 4

NDH 5

NDH 6

The Commonwealth Railways commissioned 6 narrow guage rail cars. These cars entered service 1950 and were designed by "Comeng" Sydney as Diesel Hydraulic, being built by the British "Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Co Ltd" and coded "NHD". As built they seated 34 first class and 16 second class passengers.

Units 1 and 2 were allocated to the North Australia Railway, the rest being used on the Central Australia Railway. All units were written off on 8.6.1977.

Class:		NDH
Builder:		Gloucester Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd., UK.
Introduced:		1954
Number in Class:		6
Wheel Arrangement:		1A-A1
Engine:	Manufacture:	GM
	Model:	6/71 (2)
Cylinders:	Number:	6
	Bore & stroke:	4¼ in. x 5 in.
Horsepower:		140
Tractive Effort	Starting:	10,080 lbs
Length (over coupling points):		62 ft. 6 in.
Maximum Axle Load:		9.8 tons
Total weight:		36.7 tons
Fuel Capacity:		113 gallons
Maximum Speed:		50 mph
Hydraulic Transmission:	Manufacture: Model	Allison Series 600
Hydraulic Final Drive:	Manufacture:	David Brown

NDH 1 -- ADH 1

Gloucester rail car.

11.7.1955	Entered service at Darwin as "NDH 1".
1963	Converted to first class "ADH 1" sitting car for use on standard gauge.
8.6.1977	Written off at Port Augusta.
21.6.1983	Brought by Mile End Museum, never actually collected due to poor condition of vehicle.

NDH 2 -- ADH 2

Gloucester rail car.

11.7.1955	Entered service at Darwin as "NDH 2".
11.1962	To Central Australia Railway.
4.10.1963	Converted to first class "ADH 2" sitting car for use on standard gauge.
1972	Engines removed, 415V jumper cables fitted, painted red and silver and mounted on Westwaggon bogies for use with "Thermit Welding Train".
8.6.1977	Written off.
1.1980	Placed in the BP siding at Port Pirie.
3.1983	Transferred to Broken Hill for eventual forwarding to Melbourne.
-	Converted to a dining car by its purchaser and used on standard gauge. Named "Duke of Gloucester".

NDH 3 -- ADH 3 -- NADH 3

Gloucester rail car.

1955	Entered service as "NDH 3".
14.10.1957	Converted to first class "ADH 3" sitting car for use on standard gauge.
5.4.1963	Converted from standard gauge to narrow gauge, recoded "NADH 3".
4.10.1963	Returned to standard gauge.
27.8.1965	Converted to narrow gauge
8.1971	Spare at Marree.
8.6.1977	Condemned at Port Augusta.
-	To Homestead Park, Port Augusta.

NDH 4 -- ADH 4 -- NADH 4

Gloucester rail car.

1955	Entered service as "NDH 4".
12.12.1957	Converted to first class "ADH 4" sitting car for use on standard gauge.
14.3.1961	To narrow gauge.
6.11.1963	Returned to standard gauge.
1972	Engines removed, 415V jumper cables fitted, painted red and silver and mounted on Westwaggon bogies for use with "Thermit Welding Train".
8.6.1977	Written off.

NDH/DH 5

Gloucester rail car.

1955	Entered service as "NDH 5".
1.1957	Converted to standard gauge, coded "DH".
7.1976	Used on the North Australia Railway.
8.6.1977	Written off at Darwin.
-	Relocated to Berrimah on Darwins outskirts were it is being used as a residence.[th]

NDH/DH 6

Gloucester rail car.

1955	Entered service as "NDH 6".
1.1957	Converted to standard gauge, coded "DH".
7.1976	Used on the North Australia Railway.
8.6.1977	Written off at Darwin.
-	Used as a restaurant in Darwin - "The Train on Gardiner Street".
2005	Donated by John Spellman of the "Mississippi Queen" to Adelaide River Heritage Centre.[th]
17.7.2005	Moved from Gardner Street, Darwin to Berrimah on Darwin's outskirts for restoration work before taken to Adelaide River Heritage Centre.[th][rpf]