1917 Babinda
Data still required about this railway ambulance.
About this Railway Ambulance

Basic data
Name 1917 Babinda Power JAP 5 h p (3.73kw)
Wheel Arr 2-2wPMR Construction modeled on QR Trike
Gauge dual - sliding axles 2006 status
Builder Ipswich Workshops 2006 home
Year 1917 Other

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In service summary by J.W. Knowles 1990
The first car for use on the 3ft 6ins gauge was built by the QR at Ipswich in 1917 for the Babinda Centre at a cost of 149 pounds ($298).  It was a light vehicle, powered by a 5hp JAP engine, with lifting handles on each corner so that it could be removed from the track by manpower.  It was about 8ft (2.4m) long, and had space for a stretcher and two seats.  Originally it had telescopic axles so that it could be used on both the QR and local 2ft gauge mill tramlines.  Later two sets of axles were held, on for each gauge.
In 1919 it ran 488 miles (785km).
During the construction of the North Coast Line south of Babinda up to 1920, the car ran down the line weekly to allow attention to be given to the workers, there having  been much malaria in the Eubenangee swamp.
In 1926, lightion was coverted from carbide to electric.
The car was sold in 1932 and not replaced.
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Out of service
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About the location(s)
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About the railway line (extracts used from Triumph of Narrow Gauge, J Kerr)
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About the people helped
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More info from JDK
1929 - Rail motor ambulance Babinda, may run Fishery Creek-Daradgee (24.1.29 list) (QSA A/12687, File 1935/361 Batch 1)

1934: as above, QATB car. (GM ND 3.7.34, QSA A/12988, File 48.6803, Batch 11)

1935: Railmotor ambulance Babinda, may run Daradgee-Fishery Falls (GA 145)

1977 - The RM Ambulance at Babinda had a John A Preston (JAP) engine, 5hp, and was built at Ipswich Workshops, modelled on the railway tricycle, seat for 2 and room for stretcher. It had telescopic axle to enable it to run on 2ft or 3ft6 gauge. During construction on NCL, the Babinda RM Ambulance ran weekly down the line towards Innisfail - much malaria in the Eubenangee swamp - attending to navvies. (Mr W. Johnston, President Cairns Historical Society)
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