The AEC Roadtrain consisted of an eight-wheeled tractor unit and two eight wheeled trailers, the entire train was 71 ft 8 in (21.84 m) long.

Initially the project was funded by the British and South African governments, although another twenty five Commonwealth counties later contributed finances, including Australia.

[1][2][3][5] Arriving in Takoradi in February 1933, the unit operated mostly in the Ashanti Region, predominantly traversing the 240 miles (390 km) of road between Kumasi and Tamale, usually being ferried across the Volta River at Yeji.

It was used to carry cement, pipes, timber and bags of salt, locals, livestock and agricultural produce including millet, kolanuts and cacoa, at one stage it was trialled as a military troop carrier.

[1][2] Arriving in Australia in early 1934, following some local testing it set out in April from Adelaide to Alice Springs via Oodnadatta under the command of Captain (later Brigadier) EM Dollery, Chief Inspector of Mechanical Transport for the Defence Department in Australia, with a British crew comprising a Captain EC Roscoe, two driver/mechanics as well as a local cook.

We drove a car ahead to reconnoiter the most practicable routes and we usually had to make our own tracks to consolidate the sand, then we winched the trailers over one by one.

During the dry season, May to October, the Government Roadtrain was used to supply remote communities and isolated cattle stations in the Victoria River, Wave Hill and Borroloola regions.

[2][3][5][6][4] The Australian Government Roadtrain is believed to be the only surviving example and is located at the National Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs.

After trials were completed, they were used to carry heavy tools, stores and equipment to the Ural Mountains throughout World War II.