For the running of the new 'Spirit of Progress' train between Melbourne and Albury, a Parlour Car was built.
The car was a classic American observation car complete with 'beaver tail' end. Because of this car in the consist, the entire train was required to be reversed: by triangle at Wodonga and by reversing loop at Melbourne ( around the Car and Wagon Workshops, North Melbourne ).
The was issued to traffic on 17/11/1937.
In 1957 the car was placed into traffic on the 'Daylight Express'. Perhaps for this traffic a vestibule end was added to the observation end of the car. The car was renamed to Lounge Car for this service during April 1957.
On the 13/5/1958 the car was renamed as the Club Car, still for the 'Daylight Express'.
With the change in operation after the start of standard guage passenger operations, the car remained on broad guage.
In 1963 the car was placed into departmental service, for use on special trains. In this service the car was renamed 'Norman', and placed into 'Special Stock' category.
Photos
FileID Description................................................AA956 Murray - Parlour Car, 1925, [oMDN]AW869 Parlour Car - part view, Stratford, 7/1967, [oPJV]
Diagrams
FileID Description................................................DB327 Parlour car - date/sign off block, 14/5/1936, [oPTC]CU017 Parlour Car - left side of blue print, 6/6/1938, [oPTC]CU016 Parlour Car - Office Copy blue print, 6/6/1938, [oPTC]DB325 Parlour car - proposed/square ended/crayoned round, 14/5/1936, [oPTC]DB326 Parlour car - rhs/crayoned round end on blueprint, 14/5/1936, [oPTC]CV858 Parlour Car - rhs/title block of blueprint, 6/6/1938, [oPTC]CV857 Parlour Car - right side of blue print, 6/6/1938, [oPTC]AB758 Parlour Car - SOP, [sD26]
Photos
FileID Description................................................BQ387 BCS 2356 - ID/part side/LOUNGE CAR/Sthn Aurora lettering, Spencer Street, 27/4/1979, [oPJV]BL903 RMS 2356*- Lounge car, Aurora Lettering, Newport Workshops, 17/4/1980, [oPJV]
No diagrams found for
Photos
FileID Description................................................BD134 CLUB 1 - s1e2, blank end, Spencer Street, 27/10/1976, [oRXO]CN151 Club Car 1 - s1e2c/non window end, South Australia, 1980s, [oBAU]BQ507 CLUB CAR 1 - V&SAR, Spencer Street, 26/4/1979, [oPJV]BQ727 Club Car 1 - V&SAR, Spencer Street, 26/4/1979, [oPJV]AI983 Club Car 2, Spencer Street, c1975, [oPJV]AL525 Norman - with Club Car, [oGRE]
Diagrams
FileID Description................................................AK175 Club Car, 1958, [sPJV]CC637 Club Car - diagram in memo, [sPJV]BP762 Club car - layout closeup, 1958, [oPTC]
File c547v01 compiled by Peter J. Vincent, updated 3/3/2008
