31 foot 6 inch American Type Short Tom CarriagesComrails Logo

31 foot 6 inch American Type Short Tom Carriages

4, 43 to 50, 65 to 75, 86 to 90, 94, 95, 115 to 188, 124, 125, 137, 138, 143

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4 43 to 50 65 to 75 86 to 90 94 to 95
115 to 118 124 to 125 137 to 138 143

These cars were the first narrow gauge car of the South Australian Railways to be built with a Mansard type roof. They were all 31 foot 6 inch in length. The cars with numbers below 117 were constructed at the Adelaide Workshops, with the remainder being built at Islington.

The first two cars, Nos 4 and 43, only had two compartments, both fitted with longitudinal seating, the remaining cars all had three compartments. They were all composite class cars seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers, though this figure seems to vary for plan to plan.

As originally built it appears that cars 4 thru 90 had no lavatory, with the remainder being built with lavatories. Most of the early cars were fitted with lavatories around 1892. Each car body was 31 feet 6 inch long and 6 feet 9 inch inside, divided into three compartments.

The first compartment was 10 feet 9 inch long with seats around three sides of it and a central sliding door in the fourth leading onto the end platform. The second class portion was divided into two compartments one 5 feet 1 inch long and the other 14 feet 10 inch long. The smallest of the two was located in the centre of the car, with a central door in the transverse partition dividing it from the larger compartment, either a ladies or smoking compartment. In the larger compartment the seats were longitudinal and entry was gained to the end platform through a central sliding door. When the cars were fitted with lavatories the central compartmentwas altered and roof mounted water tanks were fitted.

Around 1910, the oil lighting was replaced with electric. Changes were also made to allow the train porter to pass from one car to another. This involved alterations to end deck rails and the fitting of doors to internal partitions reducing capacity to 11 for first class and 16 for second. Westinghouse air brakes were fitted to all cars about this time.



4

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

2.1883Issued to Port Pirie system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to all second class seating 29 passengers.
1941Rebuilt at Employees Sleeping car and allocated to the Southeastern Division.

43

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

2.1883Issued to Port Pirie system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
3.1935Withdrawn.

44

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

9.1883Issued as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to all second class seating 29 passengers.
1941Rebuilt at Employees Sleeping car and allocated to the Southeastern Division.
1951Withdrawn.

45

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

8.1883Issued to Great Northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.

46

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

10.1883Issued to Great Northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
1929Withdrawn.

47

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

12.1883Issued to Great Northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Rebuilt as a Pay Car.
1935Withdrawn - destroyed by fire.

48

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

11.1883Issued to Great Northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
1929Condemned and sold to Broken Hill Pty Ltd for use on the Whyalla Iron Knob line.
c.1953Condemned.

49

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

12.1883Issued to Gladstone-Laura system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
11.5.1944Badly damaged in accident at Copley. Written off and officially sold to Commonwealth Railways who had it on hire at time of the accident.

50

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

29.1.1884Issued to Port Wakefield system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
1946Fitted with special air brakes to enable it to be used with rail cars.
1958In service Pt Lincoln Division.
10.9.1964Withdrawn.

65

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

5.1887Issued to south-eastern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
c.1942Converted to workman's sleeping van.

66

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

6.1887Issued to south-eastern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
4.1939Withdrawn.

67

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

29.8.1887Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
-Converted to a brake van with accomodation for 9 second class passengers.
1958Still in service on the Peterborough Division.
20.6.1967Withdrawn.

68

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

8.8.1887Issued to south-eastern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
3.1938Withdrawn.

69

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

8.9.1887Issued to south-eastern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
1930Converted to composite brakevan for Pt Lincoln Division with accomodation for 9 second class passengers.
4.1.1965Withdrawn.

70

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

9.1887Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
1930Converted to composite brake van for Pt Lincoln Division with accomodation for 9 passengers.
1949Converted to workmens sleeping van.
1954Condemned.

71

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

12.1887Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
1951Withdrawn.

72

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

1.1888Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.

73

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

1.1888Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
1951Withdrawn.
19<sup>th</sup> May 1986,Pichi Richi Railway train on Woolshed flat bridge - cars <em>Wandana</em> +  <em>Lincoln</em> + 74 + <em>Light</em> 8<sup>th</sup> October 1988,Quorn Pichi Richi Railway sitting car 74

74

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

15.2.1888Issued to western system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1910Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
c.1930Rebuilt as a workmens kitchen car.
c.1942Rebuilt as an employees dining car. Had seating for 12 workmen.
-Upgraded to officers use and painted green and cream.
6.1977Withdrawn.
1977Purchased by Pichi Richi Railway.
-Rebuilt as a second class lavatory with seating for 39 passengers.

75

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

2.1888Issued to western system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
1891-92Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks. Transferred to northern system.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
1944Rebuilt as an Employees Sleeping Van.
1951Withdrawn.
18<sup>th</sup> June 1993,Queenscliff - SAR Car 86

86 -- Vision Testing Car

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

1.9.1888Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
-Rebuilt as Vision Testing Car.
8.7.1970Withdrawn.
8.1971Sold to the Beleraine Peninsular Railway.
-Converted back to a passenger car.

87

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

9.1888Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
1891-92Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
1941Converted to workman's sleeping van and allocated to the Peterborough Division.

88

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

10.1888Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
1891-92Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
1935Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
20.6.1967Withdrawn.

89

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

10.1888Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
1951Withdrawn.
8<sup>th</sup> October 1988,Quorn Pichi Richi Railway sitting car 90

90 -- 210

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

10.1888Issued to northern system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
1892Fitted with lavatories and roof mounted water tanks.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
1935Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
1941Converted to workman's sleeping van and allocated to the Southeastern Division.
1960Transferred to Port Lincoln. Renumbered as "210" and painted orange.
-Sold to Pichi Richi Railway.

94

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

4.1888Issued to Palmerston system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
1911Sold to Commonwealth Railways where it became NABP 2.

95

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

4.1888Issued to Palmerston system as composite class car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
1911Sold to Commonwealth Railways where it became NABP 3.

115

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

8.1890Issued to Northern system as composite class lavatory car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
1941Converted to workman's sleeping van, and allocated to the Peterborough Division.
11.5.1944Badly damaged in accident at Copley. Written off and officially sold to Commonwealth Railways who had it on hire at time of the accident.

116

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

8.1890Issued to Northern system as composite class lavatory car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
-Converted to Kitchen car.

117

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

29.8.1890Issued to Northern system as composite class lavatory car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
1930Converted to composite brake van for use on Pt Lincoln Division. Seating for 9 second class passengers.
13.8.1970Withdrawn.

118

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at Adelaide Locomotive Workshops.

11.1890Issued to Northern system as composite class lavatory car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
11.5.1944Badly damaged in accident at Copley. Written off and officially sold to Commonwealth Railways who had it on hire at time of the accident.

124

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at the Islington Workshops.

6.1893Issued to Western system as composite class lavatory car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
1950Converted to composite brake van for Peterborough Division. Seating provided for 9 second class passengers.
8.1955Condemned.

125

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at the Islington Workshops.

6.1893Issued to Northern system as composite class lavatory car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
11.1932Withdrawn.

137

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at the Islington Workshops.

11.12.1893Issued to western system as composite class lavatory car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
1950Converted to composite brake van for Peterborough Division. Seating for 9 second class passengers.
12.8.1969Withdrawn.

138

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at the Islington Workshops.

6.12.1893Issued to Northern system as composite class lavatory car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.
-Converted to second class seating 29 passengers.
11.5.1944Damaged in accident at Copley.
1950Converted to composite brake van for Peterborough Division. Seats 9 second class passengers.
1957Painted green and used behind the Quorn rail car.
-Transferred to the Wilmington line service.
12.8.1969Withdrawn.

143

Short Tom 31 foot 6 inch American Type Carriage built at the Islington Workshops.

1895Issued to western system as composite class lavatory car seating 14 first and 25 second class passengers.
c.1908-13Fitted with electric light, westinghouse brakes and changes to end railing.