R Parlour Cars
The first two were built on "E" car designs and named after the rivers flowing through the destinations of Ray Ban Justin Prescription Melbourne and Sydney Expresses: Murray and Yarra.
Both were attached to the rear of the Sydney or Melbourne Express (the fore runner to the The Melbourne Limited, which in itself was a fore runner to the Spirit of Progress), which was marshalled as CE BE BE dining AE AE parlor. First class passengers Timberland Shoes New Zealand paid a surcharge (10/ from rough memory) for the privilege of Ray Ban Clubmaster the parlor, which was luxuroiusly equipped with padded seats, leather lounge chairs and gentlemen and ladies could order drinks at the touch of a button.
The advent of the Depression and the introduction of the Spirit of Progress saw these cars stored; World War 2 also saw the cars continue to be out of use, when many fixtures and fittings disappeared from the cars.
Sadly, Murray was grounded in Laurens Street, North Melbourne and used as a training classroom. The body was burnt in the 1950's. I understand that a single stained glass window survives.
Yarra remained in storage until the 1960's, when plans were underfoot to scrap it. However, the ARHS Victorian Division offered to restore it, and invested a large sum of donated funds to restore it as best could be done to its former glory, where it was used on many special trains and enthusiast tours. From memory, in today's money it equates to a six figure sum.
The main difference between the original setup of Yarra and today is that it features longitudinal seats Timberland Shop Sylvia Park originally from BE or BW cars in place of the leather chairs.
It remained in Government ownership and in the 1980's, it was added to the Classic Carriages fleet along with Avoca, 2AE, 30AE and 58RM. Again with ARHS Vic Division money Fake Louis Vuitton Suitcase going partially to its restoration to what we see today.
It still remains in use, allocated to the ARHS and on loan to SRHC.
It is well worth travelling in the carriage is a work of art. Like or hate tours, it is
The next parlor car was built for the Spirit of Progress; it was initially unnamed and fitted in the Art Deco style popular at the time.
It was used on the original Spirit of Progress in a similar manner to the first parlor cars: the car was fitted as somewhere for the entertainment of the gentlemen and well heeled of Society who could afford the surcharge.
With the advent of standard gauge, a change was made to the operation of the Spirit of Progress as almost a poorer cousin to the Southern Aurora; and the use of the parlor car was discontinued and remained on broad gauge.
It was then re named Norman, and used by the VR Commissioners for their tours to replace the original Norman, which was initially named Perseverance, which itself resides in the ARHS Museum located for now in North Williamstown.
This car was used for this purpose by the Commissioners, and after 1973 with the discontinuance of the Commissioners by the VicRail board, and for special, Ministerial or Vice Regal use until withdrawal in 2006. It is retained in VicTrack heritage ownership along with Yarra, however it is allocated wholly to SRHC, who utilise both cars on tours. SRHC have, in restoring the car over time, to remove the name Norman and revert to its Cheap Longchamp Bags 1937 designation of Parlor Car.
Side view of Yarra as it entered service in 1906; this photo is dated 1907. Yarra is preserved in this colour scheme as maintained by SRHC.
Yarra as preserved by the ARHS Vic Divison in September 1964. Note that the highlights as seen in the above shot have been painted over.
The Spirit of Progress parlor car as in service. Note the illuminated sign; the Ray Ban Reading Glasses Nz original survives in the SRHC Archives. Hopefully it will be fitted to the car when restored.
Drawing of the interior of the Spirit of Progress Parlor Car.
Further PROV pics can be found here: search the term Parlor.
Hope this answers your question others will no doubt fill in the massive holes I have left.
It forms part of the First Clas Service that is offered every Sunday, and is well worth a visit. philipr
Tambo is not a Parlor Car it is a converted V Joint Stock sleeper.
There is also State Car 4, which is IIRC is another car based on the E car design r707From memory, State Car 4 was built later in 1917 IIRC to replace older Vice Regal stock. Similar to Yarra and Murray, it featured a lounge Cheap Tiffany Rings area, two staterooms, bathing facilities and servant's quarters (which are the most original of all the E cars' fitouts remaining).
It was used for a number of Vice Regal tours throughout this period until State Car 5 was built and used for the 1954 Royal Tour.
It was stored for a number of years throughout the 1970's, and heavily vandalised in that period, again losing a lot of original fittings to 'souvenier hunters' presumably a lot of antique dealers lined their pockets again from VR items not being completely out of service.
It re entered service in the 1970's; I've seen pictures of it on VR Board meeting trips.
It was from memory refurbished prior to the 1984 tour of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, and not used for Royal duties, but used for Vice Regal duties, and was retired around the end of such trips. Along with State Car 5 and Mitta Mitta, it was allocated to SRHC. Along with Yarra, it is used on tours: you can in theory, can sit on the royal throne (it is fitted with Gents and Ladies' conveniences).
http://twbankbbs.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=5047837&fromuid=93432
http://taobao.kaixin67.com/bbs/home.php?mod=space&uid=23165&do=blog&quickforward=1&id=7114698
http://blog.runkeeper.com/6/what-running-shoes-are-you-rocking
http://www.piaxi.club/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=1337697
http://www.straight.com/node/add/article |
