A1947 (AO83)

Information on 1939 era 56' carriage A1947 rebuilt as large window car.

  • Running number:A1947 (TMS AO83)
  • Designed by:New Zealand Railways
  • Built at:NZR Otahuhu workshops
  • Date built: 1939
  • Builders diagram:
  • Date entered service:
  • Date withdrawn:Disposed of by KiwiRail 2018
  • Current condition:Stored complete by Steam Inc.
AO83 on Overlander service.

Image: AO83 on Overlander service.

Carriage details

  • Weight in working order: 25 tonnes
  • Overall Length: 17933mm
  • Bogies (current):

History

Built in 1939 at Otahuhu as a standard 56’ second class car and allocated to Wellington for use on the Auckland – Wellington express trains.

In 1941 converted to a 20 berth ambulance car.  In 1952 rebuilt into a “new look” 2nd class car and also used as a relief 1st class car.

Had a major makeover in 1972 for use on the new “Endeavour” train service between Wellington and Napier.

In 1991 was rebuilt at Hutt workshops to current configuration with the large windows and a rear observation window for use initialy on the Christchurch to Greymouth Tranz Alpine before being allocated to the Overlander/Northerner services between Auckland and Wellington. When displaced by the new Northern Explorer AO83 ended up in the Auckland charter fleet about 2014.  It was purchased from KiwiRail in May 2018 and arrived at Paekakariki in Sept 2018 after being stored at Middlemarch for a period.  Eventual plan is to install additional tables and use as a VIP car.

Thanks to the NewZealand Railway Observer and NZ Rails magazine for information.

Rear Observation AO83

 

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