Leyland railmotor

Double-Ended Railmotor
Leyland railmotor number 51
Manufacturer	Leyland (Engine) Victorian Railways (Body and frame)
Designer	Victorian Railways
Assembly	Victorian Railways
Order no.	4 (Victorian), 2 (Tasmanian)
Built at	Newport Railway Workshops
Constructed	1925-1926
Entered service	1925-1954
Number built	4
Number in service	0
Number preserved	1
Number scrapped	3
Design code	RM
Fleet numbers	51-54
Capacity	27 1st class and 29 2nd class passengers
Specifications
Car body construction	42 ft 6 in (12.95 m)
Car length	42 ft 6 in (12.95 m)
Width	9 ft 6 in (2.90 m)
Height	11 ft 11.375 in (3.64173 m)
Wheelbase	28 ft 0 in (8.53 m)
Weight	15.45 long tons (15.70 t)
Prime mover(s)	Petrol
Engine type	Petrol engine
Power output	100 hp (75 kW)
Track gauge	5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm)

The Leyland railmotor (also known at the Double ended railmotor) was introduced by the Victorian Railways in 1925. After the success of the A.E.C. railmotor the Victorian Railways wanted to build a more powerful and comfortable vehicle, for longer journeys.

The Victorian Railways also built two similar railmotors for the Tasmanian Railways in 1925.

Four of the railmotors were built by the Victorian Railways for use in Victoria, mostly on the services to Echuca, Cohuna, Whittlesea and Tallangatta with the occasional trip to Mansfield and Maffra.

The Leylands remained in service until the last two were withdrawn in July 1954, following the introduction of the Walker railmotors.

53RM is preserved at the Daylesford Spa Country Railway, it is planned to return it to service when time and funds permit. The vehicle had been taken off register on 30 July 1954 in lieu of 52RM, which experienced a crack in the drive bogie at Picola.