The CPH (or 42 foot) railmotors were introduced by the New South Wales Government
Railways in 1923 to provide feeder service on country branch lines.
Often referred to as “Tin Hares”, having evolved at the same time as the mechanical lures
used in greyhound racing in Australia, the first vehicle was placed in service on 17 December
1923 and based at Culcairn, in southern New South Wales.
They were lightweight vehicles and considerable care was taken in the original selection of
materials used in their construction. A total of 37 vehicles were built and they operated many branch line services throughout the state, from Kyogle in the north to the Riverina in the south, as well as extensively through the central-western regions, until their widespread withdrawal in November 1983 and replacement by road transport.