Historical information

2 NAL - Rinadeena - (Mt. Lyell) O 2; 2 NBL - 1st. class saloon car (20)

NAL
FIRST-CLASS SALOON CAR.
Four saloon end-platform cars originally built during 1901–1902 by the Lancaster Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Ltd. for the 3'6" gauge Mt. Lyell Mining & Railway Company in Tasmania and classed O. Converted for use as second-class cars on the 2'6" gauge Puffing Billy Railway during 1965–1966, these cars were reclassified NBL and numbered 1–4. The L recognises their Mt. Lyell origin, No. 1 was kept for use as the Railway's VIP car and was reconditioned to a higher standard. No. 2 was similarly upgraded in 1985 for use on special occasions. In 1989 No. 3 was similarly reconditioned with No. 4 receiving similar treatment in 1995. These cars were re-classified NAL in recognition of their new first-class nature.

The Mt Lyell Railway was closed in 1963 and subsequently dismantled, but fortunately several of the locomotives and carriages passed into preservation.
Purchased by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society from the Mount Lyell Mining & Railway Company in the 1960's
and converted to 2' 6" gauge. It has since given many years of service on the Puffing Billy Railway.

TASMANIAN CARRIAGES & GUARDS VANS

No. Builder Type Year built Ex. Location Note
NAL 1 Lancaster Railway Carriage and Wagon Co Saloon 1901 Mt Lyell Railway Named Mt Lyell
NAL 2 Lancaster Railway Carriage and Wagon Co Saloon 1901 Mt Lyell Railway Named Rinadeena
NAL 3 Lancaster Railway Carriage and Wagon Co Saloon 1901 Mt Lyell Railway Named Teepookana
NAL 4 Lancaster Railway Carriage and Wagon Co Saloon 1901 Mt Lyell Railway Named Dubbil Barril

Significance

The Rinadeena is a stunning example of a classic narrow gauge 1st Class Saloon Carriage, used as a luxury edition to train travel in the late 1800s and the 2NAL within Puffing Billy's collection was purchased by the Puffing Billy Preservation Society in the 1960s, where it underwent restoration to become part of the railway's historic transport collection.

Physical description

A timber and iron saloon car - painted in crimson with a name plate 'Rinadeena' attached to the centre of the carriage and the words '2 NAL' painted in white directly below. The word 'FIRST' is painted in gold at both ends of the carriage. The car has nine windows on either side of the carriage and a wrought iron ballastrade upon entry at eiether end of the carriage as well as iron steps to ascend. Inside the carriage are 10 bench seats made of wood and leather and ten tables for dining. The windows are adorned with cream cloth fabric and above each bench are wrought iron luggae racks. The ceiling is covered in cloth and features two suspended ornate glass and metal light fixtures. A wooden door with two glass panels can be found at both ends of the carriage.

Inscriptions & markings

2 NAL - Rinadeena