Historical information

4 NAL - Dubbil Barril - (Mt. Lyell) O 6; 4 NBL - 1st. class saloon car (28)

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 Presevation Society from the Mount Lyell Mining & Railway Company in the 1960s 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

Lancaster Railway Carriage and Wagon Co
The Lancaster Company was formed in 1863 and owned extensive works on the outskirts of Lancaster where it produced railway rolling stock of all descriptions, tram cars, wheels and axles, etc and had a reputation for work of a very high-class character.
In 1902 Metropolitan Amalgamated Railway Carriage and Wagon Co was registered on 18 April and incorporated as a limited company to amalgamate 6 companies including Lancaster Railway Carriage and Wagon Co
These works were closed in 1908 when the business was transferred to Ashbury.

Significance

Historic - Industrial Narrow Gauge railway - Mt. Lyell Mining & Railway Company in Tasmania - 1st Class Saloon Carriage

Physical description

1st. class saloon car made of Timber and steel

Inscriptions & markings

4 NAL - Dubbil Barril