| 250 Class Bluebird[1] | |
|---|---|
Bluebird "Blue Wren" 250 class railcar at Millicent, South Australia |
|
| Manufacturer | South Australian Railways |
| Built at | Islington Workshops |
| Replaced | Loco hauled consists |
| Constructed | 1954 |
| Entered service | 1954–1959 |
| Number built | 250 class= 11 100 class= 7 |
| Number scrapped | 0 |
| Fleet numbers | 100 to 106, 250 to 260 |
| Capacity | 250 class =56 (some reduced to 52) 100 class =72 |
| Operator | South Australian Railways Australian National |
| Specifications | |
| Car length | 23.85 m (78 ft 3 in) |
| Width | 2.9718 m (9 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 4.1656 m (13 ft 8 in) |
| Maximum speed | 112 km/h (70 mph) |
| Weight | 250 class, 60 tonnes (59.05 long tons; 66.14 short tons) 100 class, 42 tonnes (41.34 long tons; 46.30 short tons) |
| Engine(s) | 250 class, 2x Cummins NT-855-~ 6 cylinder diesel |
| Auxiliaries | 250 class, 1x GM 3-713 cylinder diesel |
| Gauge | 1,600 mm (5 ft 3 in) |
The Bluebird Railcars are a self propelled railcar originally used for country passenger operations in South Australia by the South Australian Railways. They were built to provide modern air-conditioned services on the country passenger rail system where the patronage did not warrant the use of locomotive hauled passenger trains[1], and to replace the ageing fleet of Brill railcars introduced in 1924.
Eighteen Bluebirds were manufactured by the South Australian Railways Islington Workshops in Adelaide. They were first introduced in October, 1954 with the last unit entering service on 12 November, 1959 although no longer in scheduled revenue service several are still operational on tourist railways, while others have been converted to service vehicles for various rail operators.[2] The 18 units are divided into 11 power cars (250 class) and 7 trailer cars (100 class).[1]
Three baggage carriages (road numbers 280, 281, and 282) of the same style as the Bluebirds power/trailer units were also constructed and these attached as required to the Bluebird services.
Bluebirds operated on many country passenger services across South Australia including; Victor Harbour, Mt Gambier, Nurriootpa, Burra, Whyalla and Broken Hill.
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