THE volunteer-run Mornington Tourist Railway has been given three carriages from Vline and is looking for suggestions about how to best use them.
Owen Paden said the 22.86 metres long carriages, known as the N set, included an economy seating carriage (BN) with 88 seats, an economy class carriage (BRN) with a buffet seating 67 passengers, and first-class carriage (CAN) with a guard compartment seating 52 passengers.
Paden said the carriages were originally broken down into classes, but all seats were now considered “premium class”.
“These N set carriages began operation on 5 October 1981 and were built at the Newport workshops. Vline is using Velocity trains now, which are not locomotive hauled, like the N Sets were, and there is no need for locomotive engines in the future on passenger services,” he said.
“Now that they are being phased out three of the carriages are making their way to the Mornington Tourist Railway with free delivery. It’s important that we preserve our railway heritage and hopefully we can put the carriages to good use.”
Other railways to benefit include Steamrail, Daylesford, Victorian Goldfields Railway, Yarra Valley Railway and Seymour.
Paden said many suggestions had been made for the carriages which will run on the Mornington to Moorooduc line, including using them for parties, bands and fine dining.
“My favourite idea is using one section as a chapel and the rest as a wedding reception area. Imagine a wedding on wheels,” he said.
Each carriage had its own generator for air conditioning and heating unlike the railway’s other 100-year-old carriages, which were “air conditioned by opening the window”.
“There is a lot of work to do on them to get them ready for travel, but we hope that people will get a chance to see our new additions soon and what better way than to come for a trip,” Paden said.
The tourist railway is also holding superheroes days on 17 and 24 September, with visitors being encouraged to dress up as a superhero.
Paden said that as well as Spiderman, Batman and Ironman there would be superhero guests with their superhero vehicles – Mornington Police, Moorooduc Fire Brigade, Hastings SES and Ambulance Victoria.
Trains will run at 10.30am, midday and 1.30pm.
Details and bookings: morningtonrailway.org.au
First published in the Mornington News – 5 September 2023
