Our Fleet
Locomotives, Railmotors, RRC Carriages & Guard’s Vans
Locomotives
The C17 Class
The first locomotives of the C17 class appeared in 1920. The locomotives were built by various makers both in Australia and overseas, with design changes made until 1953.
The locomotive design was also used as the Commonwealth Railways NM class which operated on the central Australian narrow-gauge railway, (“The Old Ghan”).
The C17 locomotives were overall the most numerous class of Queensland engine and was also possibly its most versatile. The C17 class of locomotive was a lightweight Queensland design that was suited to the lightweight track and sharp curves and became the mainstay of the Queensland Railways steam fleet.
Our own locomotive Number 967 has undergone a complete restoration in our workshop. It worked mainly in the former Maryborough District during its working life. In the late 1960’s the end of steam locomotives was announced by Queensland Railways.


TECHNICAL DATA
Weight: 82.9 tons (81.21 tonnes)
Length: 53’5.5″ (16.305m)
Cylinders: 17″ x 22″ (432 x 559mm), boiler pressure 175lb(7206kPa)
Tractive effort: 21,017lb (93.5kN) coal: 7.35 tons (8.13 tonnes)
Water: 3,050 gallons (13,865 litres), driving wheels dia. 45″(1.14m),
Bogie wheels: 2’4″, grate area, 18.5 sq.ft. (1.719sq.m)
Valve gear: Walschaerts 82.9 tons (81.21 tonnes)
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR NEW LOCOMOTIVE
C17 Locomotive 967 Has Returned Home To The Rattler

RAILMOTOR
The purpose of the railmotor was to provide a passenger service, on branch and main lines where passenger numbers did not justify the expense of running a steam train service. To run a steam train, be it on a goods, mixed or passenger train, required a crew of three the driver, fireman and guard. The rail motor was more economical.
In 1928 the first railmotor was introduced onto the Mary Valley line. Railmotors would continue to operate on the branch until the late 1960s.
RM28 was the first rail motor to be built for operation on the branch. The original RM28 is in its own museum at Aramac QLD.
The RM76 traditionally ran the Brooloo line to Gympie providing a daily link to the town for shopping, the transportation of goods and a means for children to get to school.
The railmotors were built on the AEC bus and truck chassis. Buses in London had been built on this type 506 chassis since 1914. They were fitted out with seats and bodies, and converted for rail use. They lasted in service until the early 1960s. They were reliable and rugged machines, and could be repaired quite easily should anything go wrong with them.
Diesel Locomotives
Diesel locomotives were designed to be more efficient than the steam locomotives. A steam locomotive only produces 25% of the energy created by its fuel source-whereas a diesel locomotive uses 75% of its fuel source energy.
There are diesel mechanical, diesel hydraulic and diesel electric locomotives. Diesel electric locomotives have a diesel engine powering a generator which creates electricity for electric motors. Sounds complicated but this form of motive power is still used by major railways around the world.
DEL 1632
This is a 1620 class diesel electric locomotive built by The English Electric Company at Rocklea in Brisbane. The class was introduced into Queensland Rail in 1967. It was purchased by MVHR in 1996 and restored in the workshop. It is used for yard shunting track work, and as a backup loco in case of failure of the steam loco, and during fire bans or restrictions.
This loco celebrated 50 years of service on 20 Aug 2017.
GERTIE
Officially referred to as the Gympie Emergency Response Train, but affectionally known to us as Gertie, this unit is designed as a support vehicle for the Mary Valley Rattler.
Actually, it is a fire extinguisher on wheels. Gertie and her operators travel some distance behind the Rattler on its journey along the line and act as lookouts for any fires which may occur in the rail corridor that start as a result of steam train operations.
We appreciate the valuable assistance given us by the RFBAQ, The Rural Fire Brigades of Queensland in donating equipment.
Gertie was once part of a sleeper laying machine but now modified to do her bit in protecting the community. She has a Honda powered pump, a Deutz drive engine and a water tank capacity of 1000 litres.
QUAD SECTION CAR
The Mary Valley Rattler has two vehicles carrying out track inspections. This one is was originally constructed by Pacific Construction Equipment Company. It is powered by a Fairmont 5hp 2 stroke engine.
The second section car has a 4 stroke motor to allow it to handle the heavy equipment to repair and maintain the line.