56MT

ID/Name: 56MT
Type:  Carriage
Description: Walker Railmotor Trailer
Built: 1953
Status: In Storage

SERVICE HISTORY
56MT entered service in 1953 and was part of the second order of trailers as companions to the 153hp railcars from Walker Bros. in Wigan England. Having no mechanical components, they were wholly built locally by Martin and King in Malvern with the finished units being assembled at Newport Workshops.

They could be used behind either 153 or 280hp units and would be regularly seen on Healesville, Leongatha and Mansfield services and occasionally in the 1950s on a Daylesford run behind a 280hp unit at peak holiday times.

They were often put onto regular services during school times such as at Clunes, however there were dedicated school trains such as that between Ballarat and Linton which always had one and the 153hp unit on the Echuca- Kyabram school train could haul up to 3 trailer due to flatness of the line.

Upon the closure of the branchlines in the 1970s, and the withdrawal of the subsidised school trains in 1976 in favour of buses, the need for the trailers diminished. Their deteriorating condition saw them steadily withdrawn with 56MT one of the last being retired in 1980 and the very last Walker trailer being so in April of 1981.

PRESERVATION JOURNEY
56MT was purchased and transported by road to Daylesford in 1982 .

CURRENT STATU
It is currently stored with an inspection indicating it will require a frame up restoration.

FUN FACT

56MT one of the last being retired in 1980 and the very last Walker trailer being so in April of 1981.