ROYAL TRAIN CARS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29264, 23 July 1960, Page 4

ROYAL TRAIN CARS

Use As HolidayCabins

Two of the three luxury sleeping cars previously used on the Royal train have been purchased from the Railways Department by the Railways Welfare Society for use as holiday cabins at Arthur’s Pass by railway employees. Valued at more than £5OOO, the cars were transferred to the society at a nominal figure. Since the Royal tour the two units have been in use as the South Island Vice-Regal car and the Railways Department’s general manager’s car. The third unit, which was occupied by Queen Elizabeth in 1954, has been retained by the railways and will be used by the Minister of Railways. The luxury cars are no longer of practical use as on future tours of New Zealand air, road, and rail-car services have made special sleeping cars redundant. The two cars were hauled to Arthur’s Pass last week and lifted from their bogeys and placed on timber sills which will be replaced by concrete foundations after the W There is cabin accommodation for four in each of the cars, with spacious lounges, kitchens, showers and toilets. The lounges have been fitted with furnishings. Concrete paths will be laid around the cars and water and power will be connected. The Arthur’s Pass cars will be reserved for single men rather than family groups and wiU be available to members of the society at a rental of £4 a week.