Syria 24.9.2008: An absolute gem – even though it is not steam! Discovered beside Dera’a engine shed was this wooden-bodied, De Dion-Bouton petrol railcar No.ACM3, built in 1930 and now the sole survivor of three provided to the Hedjaz Railway. The mode of operation was through geared drive to the single axle at the rear, with the front of the railcar being supported by a 4-wheel bogie. The vehicle was single-ended (and normally coupled to a wooden, 4-wheel trailer – see later picture taken in Cadem Works, carriage shop), so an extraordinary device was used to turn the railcar. Just visible below the car’s underframe (beneath the Syrian Railways’ winged wheel logo), is a retractable turntable. Upon reaching line’s end the turntable was lowered, so jacking-up the railcar, which was then swivelled on the turntable until facing in the opposite direction, whereupon the turntable was retracted! A truly wonderful anachronism, but sadly ACM3 is seemingly being left without protection from either the elements, or from passers-by, wishing to find themselves a secluded place – for a number of reasons that cannot be mentioned! All very sad that such a treasure should be so treated.
Roger Griffiths; roger.griffiths@hotmail.com