In 1996 the Federal Government-owned Australian National (Railways) sold its locomotives and rollingstock to various parties. The passenger carriages that were used to operate the Ghan, the Indian-Pacific and the Overland were sold to a new company, the Great Southern Railway. In general the older passenger stock normally used for employees, was purchased by Australian Southern Railroad along with the locomotives and freight vehicles.
Most heritage rollingstock
had been previously disposed of by Australian National. The exceptions
to this were two historic wooden special service carriages. These were
the original (1917) Commonwealth Railways Governor-General Car (AF 27),
used for the opening of the Trans Australian Railway and later reconverted
to a lounge car, and SS 44 built in 1920. The latter is commonly known
as the 'Prince of Wales' Car as the then Prince Edward, later briefly
King Edward VIII, was the first traveller after the carriage entered service.
Detail of the 'Prince of Wales' carriage showing brass SS44 lettering, 2002
Photograph: John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library
These two carriages are part of a set including original Indian-Pacific
carriages that the Federal Government retains an interest in. Great Southern
Railway cannot dispose of these carriages with their transport and historic
significance unless approved by the Federal Government. Both the wooden
Special Service cars had been restored between 1988 and 1991 and made
once again available for charter by the railways.
The restored state room of the 'Prince of Wales' carriage, 2000.
Photograph: John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library
The 'Prince of Wales' carriage was restored ready for use for the Bicentennial Opera in the Outback and for the first time air-conditioning was installed. Apprentices and tradesmen at the Port Augusta Workshops thoroughly restored the interior of the carriage and the result was a credit to their skills. For the next few years the carriage was kept under cover, but after the takeover of the Workshops as part of the sale of Australian National the carriage was stored in the open air.
Unfortunately by the late 1990s the elements had taken their toll and the roof canvas was splitting, letting in the rain, the timberwork and paint were suffering and on the mechanical side the bogies (pivoted trucks supporting the carriage) were due for an overhaul. Following discussion with the Australian Railway Historical Society (WA Division) the two wooden special service carriages were transferred from Adelaide to the former railway workshops in Midland where the ARHS has its restoration base. In the second half of 2000 the ARHS undertook a detailed examination of the condition of the timber body and appropriate materials were sourced.
Restored bedroom in the 'Prince of Wales' carriage, 2002
Photograph: John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library.
During 2001 the body of the carriage was repaired and a detailed thorough painting of the exterior - by hand - using original colours was undertaken. The canvas roof was repaired and sealed before repainting. Careful detailing of the brass handrails, fittings and fixtures including the coat of arms on the side was carried out. However the biggest challenge was the overhaul of the bogies, being a hybrid design with disc brakes, created 'in house' in the late 1950's by the then Commonwealth Railways. These bogies had been fitted to the car about 40 years ago in order to improve ride quality. Overcoming several mechanical challenges, inherent to the design, took until early 2002.
Detail of the washbasin cover in the bedroom of the carriage, 2002
Photograph: John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library
Detail of open washbasin in bedroom of carriage, 2002
Photograph: John Curtin Prime Ministerial Library
Once again the 'Prince of Wales' carriage is available for people to
charter and experience rail travel in the ambience previously experienced
by royalty, heads of state and prime inisters.