Brisbane was a rich area in terms of the section car industry - as previously refered in Tutt Bryant page.
Gemco Sylvester had an office in Brisbane and clear factual information about how and why Sylvesters made their way onto into Queensland is still yet to be fully understood. I'n not aware of any photos of a Sylvester actually on QR rails, however we do know QR purchased 2 batches of them. Below is new information that has recently come to hand.
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Gemco stands for George E Moss and Company. |
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Gemco made and continue to make a range of railway products, In the early 1970's they appear to an agent for Sylvester of Lindsay, Ontario, Canada, and they appear to have supplied QR with either whole section cars or just Sylvester motors for existing QR owned section cars. |
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Records form Queensland Railway's purchasing area indicate that QR bought 2 batches of Sylvesters. The records indicate the following : |
15 of H21 Gemco Sylvester Inspection cars 1971
38 of H21 Gemco Sylvester Inspection cars 1972
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An original parts manual exists and the cover says:
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"PARTS and INSTRUCTION MANUAL"
"GEMCO" SYLVESTER
H21B MEDIUM GANG CAR
&
E21B LIGHT INSPECTION CAR
Manufactured By:-
GEORGE MOSS PTY LTD
18 Ross St; Newstead
BRISBANE QLD
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The illustration on the cover appears to be the H21B which looks like a Fairmont MT14 - it also has a gear box and magneto. There is no illustration of the E21B Light section car in the manual. Magneto's on Sylvesters in Canada are not heard of, but at Roma Qld they certainly were! |
Above - A copy of the cover of the Instruction Manual from Roma, Qld
See bottom of this page for Sylvester starting instructions, and the goodies you recieve with a Sylvester car!
Above - GEMCO staff at 18 Ross St Newstead, Qld, circa early 1970's
Same spot as previous photo but now 1985 of Bill, Vicky, Graham & Mike
Rear of the factory on Wickham Grove, Newstead
Close up of car above - 2ft Section car "GEMCO" ready for delivery from rear of factory on Wickham Grove, Newstead. Where is it now?
End of an era - late 1980's
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