[SA] Steamranger carriage 606

[James Brook <ajmbrook@ozemail.com.au>]

I noticed the following statement in the April issue of RNV:

Steamranger was placing before its members in April proposals to dispose
of four items of rollingstock which would be unlikely to recieve much
use on the railway to Victor Habour, and which could only deteriorate if
stored in the open:

- Locos 907 & 909 (in need of $30000 or work each to be returned to
service. An offer of purchase had been received, with the prospect that
the locos would be restored by the new owner to run again.

- Steel carriage 606 (similar to SV's BKL), in fair condition but used
only rarely.

- RBP9003 (an insulated van, towed by Bluebirds). PDSRM was seeking the
vehicle, for display at the museum.

I have heard rumors about the disposal of 907 and 909 before this but as
there is an example of this class of loco preserved at Port Dock, then
I'm not really worried about this. What I am concerned about is the
proposal to dispose of 606. According to Chris Drymalik's CR site, this
is the only unmodified 600 carriage left in South Australia. 602, was
converted to a tavern and resturant car and named "Bowmans". The others
have either gone to Northern Rivers Railroad or Steamrail. I think the
Port Dock museum is the best place for this carriage if Steamranger
can't look after it. But what I can't understand is why they want to get
rid of their only unmodified 600 when they have quite a few of the 700
series carriages (BK in Victoria). If any steel carriages should go then
it should be one of these as they have plenty of them, they aren't any
where near as comfortable as the 600 cars and they have a lower seating
capacity than the 600 cars.

--
- James Brook -

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