Hello,

Yet another question for Railpage experts.

Photographs of motorail services operated by Commonwealth Railways in the early 1960s suggest that hubcaps were removed from cars, and material removed from roof racks and placed in the boot. By the late 1960s, the practice seems to have disappeared.
C.R. pamphlets pitched at potential customers at the time make no mention of a requirement to remove hubcaps, etc. Was the practice mandatory? When did it cease? I know that new vehicles fresh from the manufacturer transported on trains bound for Western Australia had the hubcaps/wheel covers removed, rather than have them come adrift on the journey.

Some photographs of trucks on C.R. and A.N. trains show vehicles travelling bonnet or cab first, while others show them travelling trailer first. Does this reflect a change of policy, or is it simply a result of shunting?

Again, any information would be gratefully received.

Regards,

Ross

I believe that the luggage and hub caps were removed and locked in the boot to prevent them from being removed/stolen when the trains stopped at towns in remote areas.
I remember when my Grandad went on the Ghan years ago and took his car with him. He had his hub caps stolen off the car at Port Augusta.

I believe that the luggage and hub caps were removed and locked in the boot to prevent them from being removed/stolen when the trains stopped at towns in remote areas.
I remember when my Grandad went on the Ghan years ago and took his car with him. He had his hub caps stolen off the car at Port Augusta.

I believe that the luggage and hub caps were removed and locked in the boot to prevent them from being removed/stolen when the trains stopped at towns in remote areas.
I remember when my Grandad went on the Ghan years ago and took his car with him. He had his hub caps stolen off the car at Port Augusta.

Thanks you, SAR520SMBH. Yes, theft would help to explain the practice of removing hubcaps.

Cheers,

Ross