AFR - Classification

Special Service Car No.2

AF/AFR/NAF/SSAF 27 -- Governor General’s car

Special car AFR 27 photographed at Port Augusta, circa 1930

Wooden first class lounge car built by the Port Augusta Workshops on a supplied underframe of "RA wagon 666". It was originally intended to be a lounge car, but before completion was converted to a special car for use on the first passenger train.

Despite the Governor General not actually making it on to the first train the car was generally referred to as the Governor General's car in 1917, but officially coded as lounge "AF 27". It was recoded to "AFR" a first class lounge sleeping car in 1920, when it became officially known as Special Service Car No.2.

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20.10.1917	Entered service coded as "AF 27".
1920	Recoded "AFR 27" and normally refered to as Special Service car No.2.
7.4.1941	It was reconverted to temporary lounge class "AF".
27.3.1946	Became permanent lounge.
5.5.1959	Converted to narrow gauge, repainted, new carpets and blinds fitted and recoded "NAF".
8.3.1961	Transferred back to standard gauge and placed in the car barn until ready for user, eventually being used for the storage of material.
19.8.1987	Stored at Port Augusta and used as an Office by the carriage cleaners.
8.1988	Transferred to Peterborough for refurbishment.
1991	Transferred to Port Augusta.
17.5.1992	Refurbishment completed and recoded "SSAF".
1.4.1997	On Australian National passenger division operational list.
1.11.1997	Car leased by the Commonwealth Government to Great Southern Railway.
21.3.1998	Transferred from Keswick to Port Augusta.
5.1999	Returned to Keswick. In poor condition, showing a lot of exterior water damage. Canvas roof cracked and leaking. All chairs have been removed from interior.
8.1999	Roof covered by a canvas tarp.
5.5.2000	Transferred to Midland Workshops, Western Australia for repairs.
-	Sold to Great Southern Railway by the Commonwealth[pq].
2002-03	Sold to a third party and "Leased Back" by Great Southern Railway [Serco Group Report].
12.2003	Returned to South Australia, stored at Keswick.

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