1954 Cloncurry
About this Railway Ambulance

Basic data
Name 1954 Cloncurry Power V8 Ford
Wheel Arr 4-2wPMR Construction Ex road vehicle
Gauge 3ft 6in 2006 status Exists
Builder 1942 Ford, coverted at QGR Townsville 2006 home Cloncurry
Year in service 1954 # in class 1

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In service
Photo made available by Peter R Murray
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Out of service
Photo by W Mitchell
Photo by Peter R Murray
Photo by Peter R Murray
Photo by Peter R Murray
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Summary of service history by J.W. Knowles 1990
For twenty years, Cloncurry had no rail ambulance, until in 1954 a 1938 (ed its believed this is a jail bar Ford and this model ran from 1942 to 1946) Ford V8 road ambulance was converted to rails at teh QR Townsville workshops.  The rear axle was shortened and fitted with 21 inches (533mm) diameter wheels, while the front was mounted on a four wheel bogie from a QR 45hp AEC rail motor.  A jacking point was placed at the centre of balance, to place the car on the rails or turn it at its destination, a hydraulic jack raised and turned as desired, and lowered again.  Such operation took about 15 mins, and could be performed by one man, although it was desirable to have two to maintain balance.
In 1962, the speed limit for this car on straight track was raised to 30mph (48kmph) and in 1964, the shed housing it was moved to reduce preparation time.  The car recieved regular use during the sixties.  In 1963, three trips were made in one weekend, and in 1969, a birth occurred in it between Malbon and Cloncurry.  It was last used in 1971.  In 1979 tenders were called for its purchase, but it remained in Cloncurry, and is now in an historical park there.
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More info from JWK database!
Cloncurry

1962 - Rail motor ambulance Cloncurry allowed all lines Julia Greek and west, may run 30mph (25mph 13-19 chain radius curves, 20mph 9-12ch, 15mph 5-8ch, 12mph under 5chain) (General Appendix Clause 160)

1964 - Shed housing rail ambulance shifted from Station Street to point 100 yards from diesel shed - will save half an hour when getting it ready - brigade had been trying 2 years to get it moved. (NQR 7.3.64 p16)

1965 - Due wet, made trip to Kajabbi. 2nd call (to where?) too late, birth occurred before vehicle started. (HAT 5/65)

1969 - On March 25, Mrs Patricia Burke (20) gave birth to 9 pound 2 oz son in Cloncurry rail ambulance en route Malbon to Cloncurry (used due flooded creeks) (TDB 26.3.69 p9; also HAT5/69)

1971: there was no ambulance car at Cloncurry in 1952, but one was in use by 1956, still being used in 1971 - may be stationed somewhere else before Cloncurry? Built at Townsville from chassis of a Ford V8, a 1942 model. (JWK/CME notes, Pony Express 1/77 p14)

1971 - Feb.25, due impassable roads, rail ambulance accompanied by Guard Abdy, driven by Ambulance superintendent, ran Cloncurry 1.45pm, Dajarra 6.45-7.45pm (refuelling & checking), Cloncurry 1.15am, most of return journey in very heavy rain, with patients. (NQR 6.3.71)

1975 - CME List - Ford V8, property Ambulance bridge (S.E. 12/75 p165)