Indian Pacific Consists

On Monday 23.2.1970 the inaugural Indian Pacific departed Sydney. Two trains left Sydney and were formed into one train at Port Pirie. The first train departed at 2250 with engines 4601 and 4602 hauling HGM 204, ER 210, ARL 249, ARL 247, ARJ 241, CDF 266, DF 264, AFC 239, ARJ 240, ARL 261, ARM 253, ARM 252, SSA 260, HM259, whilst the second train departed at 2300 with engines 4603 and 4604 hauling HM 257, ER 204, BRJ 214, BRJ 218, BRJ 215, CDF 229, DF 235, AFC 236, ARJ 242, ARL 262, ARM 251 and HM202. Double 421 class engines hauled the train from Lithgow with South Australian Railways double 600's on the first and a 600 leading an 830 on the second between Broken Hill and Port Pirie. The Commonwealth used a CL and two GM's hauling all 27 carriages and Western Australia two L class engines.

The Indian Pacific initially consisted of two sets with the basic consist in 1970 being shown in Table 1. It provided 52 first class berths and 96 in second class, but the train was limited to 144 passengers as this was the number that could be serviced with three sittings for meals.

In 1973 the consist was altered due to the increasing popularity of first class travel and move towards the use of situp for second class travel on the Commonwealth section. The new consist is shown in Table 2. It now provided 88 first class berths and 64 in second class, but the train was still limited to 144 passengers because of meal sittings.

In 1980 the consist was again altered when New South Wales agreed to officially provide situp accomodation. Prior to this Australian National had been providing situp, west of Port Pirie, on two out of the four weekly services. The new arrangement required New South Wales to provide the situp cars for the service as far as Port Pirie. At Pirie the New South Wales cars were removed and Australian National cars placed on the train. In 1988 the Australian National cars became standard for the full through service.