Wooden first class lounge car built by the Port Augusta Workshops on a supplied underframe of "RA wagon 666". It was originally intended to be a lounge car, but before completion was converted to a special car for use on the first passenger train.
Despite the Governor General not actually making it on to the first train the car was generally referred to as the Governor General's car in 1917, but officially coded as lounge "AF 27". It was recoded to "AFR" a first class lounge sleeping car in 1920, when it became officially known as Special Service Car No.2.
1916 | Entered service as "RA 666" flat wagon |
20.10.1917 | Entered service coded as "AF 27". |
1920 | Recoded "AFR 27" and normally refered to as Special Service car No.2. |
7.4.1941 | It was reconverted to temporary lounge class "AF". |
27.3.1946 | Became permanent lounge. |
5.5.1959 | Converted to narrow gauge, repainted, new carpets and blinds fitted and recoded "NAF". |
8.3.1961 | Transferred back to standard gauge and placed in the car barn until ready for user, eventually being used for the storage of material. |
19.8.1987 | Stored at Port Augusta and used as an Office by the carriage cleaners. |
8.1988 | Transferred to Peterborough for refurbishment. |
1991 | Transferred to Port Augusta. |
17.5.1992 | Refurbishment completed and recoded "SSAF". |
1.4.1997 | On Australian National passenger division operational list. |
1.11.1997 | Car leased by the Commonwealth Government to Great Southern Railway. |
21.3.1998 | Transferred from Keswick to Port Augusta. |
5.1999 | Returned to Keswick. In poor condition, showing a lot of exterior water damage. Canvas roof cracked and leaking. All chairs have been removed from interior. |
8.1999 | Roof covered by a canvas tarp. |
5.5.2000 | Transferred to Midland Workshops, Western Australia for repairs. |
- | Sold to Great Southern Railway by the Commonwealth[pq]. |
2002-03 | Sold to a third party and "Leased Back" by Great Southern Railway [Serco Group Report]. |
12.2003 | Returned to South Australia, stored at Keswick. |