PASSENGER VEHICLES once used on the WOLGAN VALLEY RAILWAY

What is on this page:
1. Identified Vehicles 2. Visitors 3. Rumours
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The following vehicles have been identified:

Passenger car, Composite
  • Built new by Metropolitan Amalgamated Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd., Birmingham (Lancaster works order #-- of 1908).
  • First class = 8 passengers, Second Class = 30 passengers, also guard's compartment with double doors on side and lavatory.
  • Little used and kept under cover in shed at works.
  • Sold to AI&S, Port Kembla, in 1940.
  • Body scrapped at Newnes and only the frame was recovered by AI&S.
Composite carriage
Builder's photo of this car.
(Photo: Birmingham Library)

Passenger car, Second Class
Second Class carriage
Builder's photo of this car.
(Photo: Birmingham Library)
  • Built new by Metropolitan Amalgamated Railway Carriage and Wagon Co. Ltd., Birmingham (Lancaster works order #-- of 1908).
  • Second class = 50 (?) with guard's compartment and lavatory.
  • Latter day diagram suggests that at least two rows in centre of car adjusted to longitudinal seating and a stove fitted in between. Seating in this form reduced to 44 (?).
  • Sold to AI&S, Port Kembla, in 1940.
  • Body scrapped at Newnes and only the frame was recovered by AI&S.

Passenger rail car
  • Possibly built by Allday and Onions.
  • Used for most of the passenger traffic in latter days.
  • Sides fitted and generally reconditioned by Clarke's Motors, Lithgow, in 1931.
  • Frame still at Newnes in late 1940s, but eventually scrapped.
Rail Car after 1930s rebuild
Rail car at Newnes Junction, some time after it's 1931 rebuild.
(Photo: E Baddely)

Inspection quadracycle
  • Existence known only by photograph.
  • Source and disposal of vehicle not known.
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VISITORS:
There were occasions when special trains were run to Newnes using government-owned vehicles.
While details are not fully known, the following photographs show examples of these special trains.

1911
In June, 1911 a special train was run to Newnes in connection with the first charging of the retorts. At the rear is a celestory-roofed carriage from the government system. 1911 special train at Newnes
This photo was taken within the works area and includes a group of distinguished visitors that travelled on the train.
Various people in the photo have been "identified", although most of it has been guess work. However, it is quite probable that Sutherland (the consulting engineer in overall charge of the construction work at Newnes) is on the front left, and Martin Zobel (geologist) is on the far right. Henry Deane (engineer in charge of railway construction) is probably the white-bearded chap in the back row in front of the brake van. Bradfield (prominent in later years as a road and bridge engineer) is supposedly among this group as well.

1932
1932 special train at Newnes In 1932 a special train was run to Newnes in connection with the handover of the works to a private concern. However, one of the carriages on this train derailed due to faulty track, only a few miles out from Newnes Junction and only a few cars actually made it to Newnes.
This incident was not a good start for this private operation and it subsequently failed within a very short time.
This photo shows the shortened train at Newnes
prior to the return journey.
(Photo: CC Singleton; ARHS NSW)
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RUMOURS:

Converted steam road bus
In 1907, Henry Vale & Son, Auburn converted an ex-double-decked steam road bus (#3M) for rail use. It is said that it was purchased by Commonwealth Oil Corporation, Ltd. for use on the Wolgan Valley Railway.

However, no evidence has so far been found to support this purchase or use. If it was used on the railway to Newnes, it would have been found to be impracticable and would not have lasted for very long. 		Steam bus for rail use
The ex-double-decked steam road bus (#3M)
as converted in 1907 for rail use by Henry Vale & Son, Auburn.
(Photo: ARHS NSW collection)
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Overview Locomotives Passenger cars Tank cars Open wagons Other vehicles
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This page last updated 10Nov2006