NZR 56-foot carriage

NZR A class 56-foot carriage
A NZR 56-foot carriage in service for the Dunedin Railways at Dunedin Railway Station
In service	1937 - 2014
Manufacturer	New Zealand Railways Department (NZR)
Built at	Otahuhu, Auckland Addington, Christchurch
Constructed	1937 - 1945
Operator(s)	Tranz Scenic, Dunedin Railways
Line(s) served	various
Specifications
Car length	56 feet (17.07 m)
Track gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)

The TranzAlpine, which uses up to nine NZR 56-foot carriages

The NZR 56-foot carriage is a class of 17.07 m (56 ft 0 in)-long railway passenger car formerly used on almost all long-distance rail transport in New Zealand. 88 carriages have been preserved.

1927: Prototypes

The first 56 ft carriages were built in 1927, being a development of the then-standard steel-panel Aa class NZR 50-foot carriages. These first six carriages were 50 ft (15.24 m) cars with lengthened underframes at the ends, and the cars retained the same bogie spacing as the 50 ft (15.24 m) carriages.^[1] Designed for sleeper use, these cars were clad in wood initially. All were given the A^A classification due to their limited running rights, and were numbered consecutively from A^A 1616 to A^A 1622. Later they were clad in steel and given new underframes to match the later 56 ft (17.07 m) cars.^[1]

1930s-1940s: The second batch

It was not until 1937 that further 56 ft (17.07 m) cars were built, to a slightly different design. The new cars had different bogie spacing and a more rounded profile, to allow general route availability.^[1] They were classed A, with the initial batch being built at Otahuhu Railway Workshops. It took Otahuhu and Addington Railway Workshops until 1945 to complete the class. There was a large amount of variation in the body arrangement between batches. This primarily reflected the carriage's use – 2nd Class (X25480), 1st Class, 1st/2nd Class Composite (X25916) or Semi Sleeping - but there was also variations between carriages intended for North Island and South Island use. South Island 1st Class cars (X25495) were built with pressure ventilation and a coupe compartment at one end, while North Island 1st Class cars (X25485) used roof-based vents like 2nd Class cars, and did not include a coupe. Up to 12 2nd Class cars were converted into 20-bed Ambulance cars for use in World War 2 and after the war were converted for general use, six of which were converted for 1st Class use, with four receiving seats of a more modern design, that were later used for the Endeavour Express and The Connoisseur car. Eight out of 11 Semi Sleeper cars were rebuilt as 16-berth all-sleeper cars, one rebuilt as a 14-berth sleeper because it retained the original 4-berth cabin. 56-ft cars quickly became the mainstay of the passenger fleet, being used on the NZR's important trains in their red livery.

NZR JA class steam loco hauling two NZR 56-foot carriages followed by several NZR 50-foot carriages on an excursion train

The carriages were 56 ft 0 in (17.069 m) long and 11 ft 4 ¹⁄₂ in (3.467 m) high. The width was 8 ft 11 in (2.718 m) at the waist reducing to 8 ft 9 ¹⁄₂ in (2.680 m) at about window height so that the cars could run over all lines. The extra width allowed second class seating to have one double seat each side of the aisle so seating four per row; but first class cars had seating for three per row, a single seat on one side and two single seats on the other side of the aisle. The seating for passengers was:

• First class: 31 passengers in single reclining chair seats (a few had 32 or 35 seats)
• Second class: 56 passengers (initially 59 for some 1939-40 Addington cars with one toilet, but rebuilt to 56-seat with two toilets 1942-43).
• Composite: 14 first class and 28 second class; total 42 passengers.
• First class coupe: 29 & 2 triple width seats seating 6; total 35 passengers

The cars had an enclosed vestibule at each end. The first class coupe cars with a small coupe compartment seating 6 had only one lavatory at one end with the coupe compartment at the other end, but most had two lavatories, one at each end, often marked ‘Gents’ and ‘Ladies’. ^[2]

"Fat Annie" guards van variant

In 1942 two Guard's vans were built on the same 56 ft (17.07 m) type underframe to create vans to match the 56 ft carriage stock.^[3] The first two vans had narrow vestibules at both ends, and a further 19 vans built in 1943-44 only had this at one end. These vans were used on principal expresses in both Islands until the 1980s.

1970s: 'blue' upgrade

NZR began overhauling a number of 56 ft (17.07 m) cars for a new South Island train called the "Southerner". These carriages were painted blue with a light blue stripe bordered by gold on the sides and white roofs, and received new seating and upholstery to match. Some carriages were highly modified into buffet cars, the first buffet cars on NZR since 1918. Classified AB, these cars had a kitchenette and a full-length buffet counter installed. A similar set of cars was upgraded in the North Island for the new "Endeavour" train from Wellington to Napier. Another set of carriages (including sleeping cars) was overhauled for a new overnight train between Wellington and Auckland called the "Northerner". These cars were the first to be turned out with the new "Supavent" style of windows,^[1] and were painted a mustard yellow instead of blue. All these new carriages were running on new bogies, after a successful trial of a new "deluxe" bogie under 56 ft car A 1622. The bogie type used was initially the same as the FS steam heat vans (X27750, known as a "Kinki" bogie), and later the type of bogie pioneered under the NZR FM guards vans (X28020, known as an "FM" bogie), heavily based on the type of bogies used under the Silver Star classed X28250. This improved the ride quality of the carriages.

1980s: Panoramic glazing

Detail of panoramic windows on NZR 56-foot carriages

The next major change for the 56 ft carriage fleet occurred in 1988: the first carriage with 1m-high panoramic windows, AS2500, was introduced in the South Island for use on the TranzAlpine Express and later re-numbered ASO27,^[1] and was quickly followed by further upgraded carriages, primarily on the TranzAlpine. The 2nd servery car upgraded to this large window configuration was to be numbered AS2517 but was released as ASO 14 – the O for Observation denoted the large panoramic windows, and subsequent cars followed this classification. Further carriages were upgraded over the next five years, and some were fitted with air conditioning, a feature not previously used in New Zealand carriages. Four carriages were modified with lounge seating and a large panoramic window in one end, one car incorporating a servery, but no special classification distinguished these cars from the other AOs or ASOs. Other carriages were given upgraded seating and new paint colours but remained on the older style bogies and without air conditioning, for commuter and charter use. Later, some of these cars included air conditioning but retained the smaller Supavent windows

Current use of 56ft Carriages

56 ft carriages with large observation windows were kept as a charter fleet, but otherwise are no longer used on mainline passenger services. A large number of 56 ft (17.07 m) cars are now either with small train operating companies (Taieri Gorge Railway, 13 carriages) or in preservation with many railway societies, some which use the cars on main line excursions. None of the car-van variant remain in use, their use having been supplanted by the newer FM/AG vans. However, examples exist in preservation. In 2014 all of the large observation windows carriages were withdrawn from service due to them not complying with KiwiRails zero-harm policy. They are now stored in Middlemarch.

Dunedin Railways

Dunedin Railways branded AO class carriage at Dunedin Railway Station.

While KiwiRail has phased out 56-foot (17.07 m) carriages, Dunedin tourism operator Dunedin Railways is phasing them in. Due to the tight tunnel clearances on their Taieri Gorge route,^[4] Dunedin Railways is unlikely to be able to use imported carriages such as are becoming widespread on other New Zealand routes.

In September 2007 Dunedin Railways announced it had purchased 12 NZR 56-foot carriages formerly used on the Wairarapa Connection. The first of these, A2325, was prepared at a cost of $45,000 and ready in September 2008. Although A2325 was the first car put in service, a 13th 56 ft car A2095 had been purchased earlier and conversion begun to a buffet car, which entered service in Nov 2009. Entering service in Oct 2009 was A2277.^[5] The company anticipated having three carriages in service by the end of 2008, and all 12 by 2013.^[6] The upgrade included new seating, carpets, toilets and external paint. The railway intends to refurbish three carriages each year.^[7] They also have big window car AO 77 and ex-Southerner car A 3022 in their 56' foot carriage fleet.

Heritage Railways

Many other heritage groups have acquired examples of the 56-foot (17.07 m) carriages for use on heritage railways or mainline excursions. Most prominent among these is Steam Incorporated, who own twelve carriages of this type (though not all are operational). Mainline Steam also own a further six, five purchased from KiwiRail in 2011 and one, A 2044, purchased in 2007 after years of service as a stationary restaurant beside the Te Kuiti station platform.

The Feilding District Steam & Railway have a further ten in their collection (nine owned by FDSR and one leased from the Silverstream Railway), and have a total of four carriages operating from this fleet. The Rimutaka Incline Railway has five, and the Glenbrook Vintage Railway has three which are mainline certified. Other groups either own carriages of this type or lease them through the Rail Heritage Trust.

Current trains using 56-foot carriages

South Island

• Seasider (Dunedin-Palmerston)
• Taieri Gorge Limited (Dunedin-Taieri Gorge)

Current trains no longer using 56-foot carriages

North Island

• Auckland suburban services (replaced with diesel multiple units in 1993, later supplemented by ex-British Rail Mark 2 stock)
• Capital Connection (replaced with ex-British Rail Mark 2 stock in 1998)
• Wairarapa Connection (replaced with ex-British Rail Mark 2 stock in 2007)

South Island

• Coastal Pacific (replaced with brand new Hillside Workshops built AK carriages in late 2011)
• TranzAlpine (Christchurch-Greymouth)

Former trains that used 56-foot carriages

North Island

• Overlander (Wellington-Auckland)
• Bay Express
• Blue Fern
• Endeavour
• Northerner
• Scenic Daylight

South Island

• Lynx Express
• Southerner
• Coastal Pacific

Classification

An AO Class NZR 56-foot carriage on the Northern Explorer at Papakura during temporary withdrawal of the AK class carriage fleet.

• A passenger car
• AL car-van (with luggage compartment)
• AO panoramic windows
• AS servery
• ASO panoramic windows and servery
• F guards van

Class Registers

Carriages

Original no.	TMS no.	Builder	Introduced	Withdrawal	Notes
A 1856	A 1007	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1938	March 1988
A 1857	A 1015	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1938	March 1988
A 1858		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1938	October 1977
A 1859	A 56916	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1938	November 1982	Preserved, Steam Incorporated. Still in original 1st class configuration.
A 1860	A 56030	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1937	June 2013	Preserved, Railway Enthusiasts Society.
A 1861	A 2001	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938	2007
A 1862		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938	February 1954	Involved in the Tangiwai Rail Disaster.
A 1863	A 56049	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1864	A 56057	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1865	AL 2009	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1866		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938	January 1978
A 1867	A 56065 A 2100	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938	2007
A 1868	A 56073 AL 56095 AS 56073	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938	June 2013	Preserved, Steam Incorporated.
A 1869	A 56081 A 2226 AO 209	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938	March 2008	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1870	A 56105	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1938	1995	Preserved, Steam Incorporated.
A 1871		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1872	A 1304	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939	June 1987	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
A 1873	EA 2184	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939	June 1985
A 1874		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1875		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939	December 1956
A 1876	A 3204 AO 198	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1877	A 3006 AO 238	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1878	A 1312	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	July 1937	June 1987
A 1879		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	July 1937		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1880	A 1320	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	August 1937	June 1987	Preserved, Canterbury Railway Society.
A 1881	A 1339	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	September 1937	June 1987	Private Property, Horopito.
A 1882	EA 2190	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	October 1937	June 1985
A 1883		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	October 1937		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1884	A 1023	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1940	March 1988	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
A 1885	A 56924 EA 6174	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1940		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1886	A 1031	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1940	March 1988
A 1887	A 1058	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1940	March 1988
A 1888	A 1066	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1940	March 1988	Private Property, Oakura.
A 1889	A 1074	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1940	March 1988
A 1890	A 1082	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1940	March 1988	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
A 1891		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1940		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1892	AB 3505	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1940		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1893		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1940		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1894	A 1090	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1940	March 1988
A 1895	A 1106	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	July 1940	March 1988
A 1896	A 56113	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1941		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust.
A 1897	A 56121	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1941	June 2013	Preserved, Railway Enthusiasts Society.
A 1898	AB 3511	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1941		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Dunedin Railways.
A 1899		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1938	February 1954	Involved in the Tangiwai Rail Disaster.
A 1900		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1938	April 1978
A 1901	A 56148 AL 56129	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1938	1996	Preserved, Gisborne City Vintage Railway. Mainline certified.
A 1902	A 56156	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1938	June 2013	Preserved, Steam Incorporated. Mainline certified.
A 1903		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1938	April 1978
A 1904	A 56164 ASO 108	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939	June 2013	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
A 1905	A 3220 AS 24 AO 169	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1938	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1906	A 56172 AL 56072	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1940		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1907		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939	February 1954	Involved in the Tangiwai Rail Disaster.
A 1908	A 56180 A 2333	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939	June 2013	Preserved, Railway Enthusiasts Society.
A 1909	A 56199 AL 56089	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939	1996	Used as bunk rooms at the Rimu Lodge, Ohakune.
A 1910	A 56204	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939		Withdrawal date unknown. Used at the Kumeu Garden Centre.
A 1911	A 2028	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	February 1938	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways.
A 1912	A 56212 AL 56072	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1913	A 56220 AL 56043	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	February 1938		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society. Mainline certified.
A 1914	A 56239 AL 2044	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1939		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust.
A 1915		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1939	February 1954	Involved in the Tangiwai Rail Disaster.
A 1916	A 56247	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1939		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust.
A 1917	A 56255 AL 56066	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1939	1996	Preserved, Steam Incorporated. Mainline certified.
A 1918	A 56263	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1939	2009	Preserved, Railway Enthusiasts Society.
A 1919		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1920		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1939	February 1954	Involved in the Tangiwai Rail Disaster.
A 1921	A 56271 AO 100	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1939	July 2013	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1922		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1923	A 56298 AL 56106	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1939	1990s	Used as bunk rooms at the Rimu Lodge, Ohakune.
A 1924	A 56303	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1925	A 56311	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1926	A 56402 AL 56112	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	June 1939	1996	Preserved, Railway Enthusiasts Society. Mainline certified.
A 1927	A 56410 ASO 110	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	July 1937	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1928	A 3389 AS 2500 ASO 27	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	July 1939	2013	Preserved, Steam Incorporated.
A 1929	A 1205	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1939	March 1988
A 1930	A 3014 AO 152	NZR Addington Workshops	November 1939	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1931	A 3303	NZR Addington Workshops	December 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1932	A 3311 AO 77	NZR Addington Workshops	December 1939	January 2013	Preserved, Dunedin Railways. Mainline certified.
A 1933	A 3212 AO 221	NZR Addington Workshops	December 1939	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1934	A 1213	NZR Addington Workshops	December 1939	March 1988
A 1935	A 3338 AC 3548	NZR Addington Workshops	December 1939	2001	Preserved, Weka Pass Railway.
A 1936	AB 3528 AO 181	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	July 1940	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1937	A 56932	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	October 1940	April 1983
A 1938		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	October 1940		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1939	A 56429 AO 175	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	August 1939	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1940	A 56437	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	August 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1941	A 56445	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1939		Withdrawal date unknown. Private Property, Whanganui.
A 1942	A 56453	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	September 1939		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Steam Incorporated.
A 1943	A 56461	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	September 1939		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Steam Incorporated.
A 1944		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	September 1939	May 1978
A 1945	A 2036	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	September 1939	May 1978
A 1946	A 56488	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	October 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1947	A 3239 AO 83	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	October 1940	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1948	A 56496	NZR Addington Workshops	May 1939	March 2008	Preserved, Railway Enthusiasts Society. Mainline certified.
A 1949	A 56908 A 2127	NZR Addington Workshops	May 1939	2007
A 1950	A 56501 A 2325	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1939	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways. Mainline certified.
A 1951	A 56528 AL 2073	NZR Addington Workshops	December 1939	January 2013	Preserved, Dunedin Railways.
A 1952	A 56536	NZR Addington Workshops	June 1939		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Waitara Railway Preservation Society.
A 1953	A 56544	NZR Addington Workshops	June 1939	2007	Preserved, Steam Incorporated. Mainline certified.
A 1954	A 56552	NZR Addington Workshops	June 1939		Withdrawal date unknown. Used at the Kumeu Garden Centre.
A 1955	A 56560 AO 146	NZR Addington Workshops	July 1939	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1956	AL 56579	NZR Addington Workshops	August 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1957	A 56587 A 2143 ASO 151	NZR Addington Workshops	August 1939	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1958	A 56595	NZR Addington Workshops	June 1939	1999	Private Property, Kingston.
A 1959	A 2119 ASO 136	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1939	June 2013	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1960	A 56619 A 2218	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1939	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways. Mainline certified.
A 1961	A 56627 A 2242	NZR Addington Workshops	March 1939	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways. Mainline certified.
A 1962	A 56635 A 2234 A 56333	NZR Addington Workshops	March 1939	June 2013	Preserved, Steam Incorporated.
A 1963	AL 2015	NZR Addington Workshops	March 1939	2001	Scrapped, Weka Pass Railway.
A 1964	A 56643 AO 123	NZR Addington Workshops	March 1939	June 2013	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1965	A 56651 AL 2067	NZR Addington Workshops	March 1939	2007
A 1966	A 56678 AO 215	NZR Addington Workshops	March 1939	June 2013	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1967	A 56686 AL 2050	NZR Addington Workshops	March 1939	2007
A 1968	A 56694	NZR Addington Workshops	April 1940		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1969	A 56718 A 2250	NZR Addington Workshops	April 1940	2007
A 1970	EA 4769	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	June 1945	June 1988	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
A 1971	A 3346 AO 19	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	July 1945	June 2013	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1972	A 3354 AO 25	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	August 1945	June 2013	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1973	A 3362 AC 3554	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	September 1945		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1974	A 3370 AS 2517 ASO 14	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	October 1945		Withdrawal date unknown. Scrapped, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1975	A 3022	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1945	October 2013	Preserved, Dunedin Railways. Mainline certified.
A 1976	A 3397 AO 60	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1939	June 2013	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1977	AL 2021	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1939	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways.
A 1978		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1939		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1979		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1941	January 1978
A 1980		NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1941		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1981	A 56726 A 2151 AO 31	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1942	June 2013	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 1982	A 2044 AS 30	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1942	2006	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
A 1983	A 56734	NZR Addington Workshops	January 1942		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society. Mainline certified.
A 1984	AL 56008	NZR Addington Workshops	January 1943		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1985	EA 2701 A 2309 A 56742	NZR Addington Workshops	January 1943	2009	Preserved, Railway Enthusiasts Society.
A 1986	A 2052	NZR Addington Workshops	January 1943	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways.
A 1987	AL 2038	NZR Addington Workshops	May 1943		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1988	A 56750	NZR Addington Workshops	May 1943		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust.
A 1989	A 56769	NZR Addington Workshops	May 1943	1996	Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Steam Incorporated. Mainline certified.
A 1990	A 56777 A 2186 AS 18	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1940		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 1991	A 56785 AL 56037	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1940	1996	Preserved, Railway Enthusiasts Society.
A 1992	A 2060 EA 6709 AO 117	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1940	March 2008	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
A 1993	A 56793 A 2269	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1940	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways.
A 1994	A 56809 AL 2096	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1940	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways.
A 1995	AL 56020	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1940	2007	Withdrawal date unknown. Private Property, Featherston.
A 1996	A 56817 A 2135 ASO 149	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1940	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 1997	A 56825 A 2277	NZR Addington Workshops	September 1940	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways. Mainline certified.
A 1998	A 56833	NZR Addington Workshops	November 1940		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society. Mainline certified.
A 1999	A 56841 EA 6617 ENO 15	NZR Addington Workshops	December 1940	2000s	Used by DBM Contracting.
A 2000	A 56868	NZR Addington Workshops	January 1940		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust.
A 2001		NZR Addington Workshops	March 1941		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
A 2002	A 2079	NZR Addington Workshops	March 1941	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways. Mainline certified.
A 2003	A 56876 A 2194 AO 48	NZR Addington Workshops	May 1941	June 2013	Preserved, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
A 2004	A 2087	NZR Addington Workshops	May 1941	2000	Preserved by an unknown buyer.
A 2005	A 56884	NZR Addington Workshops	June 1941		Withdrawal date unknown. Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society. Mainline certified.
A 2006	A 56892 A 2178 ASO 1	NZR Addington Workshops	July 1941	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 2007	A 2095	NZR Addington Workshops	June 1943	2007	Preserved, Dunedin Railways. Mainline certified.
A 2008	A 2030 AO 54	NZR Addington Workshops	July 1943	November 2014	Stored in Middlemarch.
A 2009	A 3402	NZR Addington Workshops	July 1943		Withdrawal date unknown.
A 2010	A 2095	NZR Addington Workshops	August 1943	2007	Preserved, Silver Stream Railway.
A 2011	AB 3534	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	August 1939	November 1989	Preserved, Steam Incorporated.
A 2012		NZR Addington Workshops	August 1943	August 1978
A^A 1616		NZR Petone Workshops	1927		Withdrawal date unknown.
A^A 1617		NZR Petone Workshops	1927		Withdrawal date unknown.
A^A 1618	A 56916	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	1927	August 1982	Preserved, Steam Incorporated. Mainline certified.
A^A 1619		NZR Petone Workshops	1927	October 1959
A^A 1620		NZR Petone Workshops	1927		Withdrawal date unknown.
A^A 1621	A 56014	NZR Petone Workshops	1927	August 1981
A^A 1622		NZR Petone Workshops	1927	1977	Scrapped, Glenbrook Vintage Railway.

"Fat Annie" Guard Vans

Original no.	TMS no.	Builder	Introduced	Withdrawal	Notes
F 579	FA 38	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	October 1936	March 1985
F 580	FA 44	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	October 1936	December 1980
F 581	FA 50	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1936	August 1983
F 584	FA 67	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1937	July 1986
F 585	FA 73	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1937	September 1981
F 590	F 1255	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	November 1942	1978	Scrapped, Mainline Steam Heritage Trust.
F 591	F 1263	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1943	1988	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
F 592	F 1271	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1943	1988
F 593	F 1298	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1943	1988	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.
F 594	F 1271	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1944	March 1987
F 595	F 1311	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1944	July 1986
F 596	F 1338	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1944	1988
F 597	EA 6721	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1944		Withdrawal date unknown.
F 598	F 1362	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	April 1944		Withdrawal date unknown.
F 599	F 1370	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	April 1944	April 1985
F 600	F 1389	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	May 1944	July 1986
F 601	F 1397	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	June 1944	1988	Preserved, Goldfields Railway.
F 602	F 1402	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	June 1944	March 1984
F 603	F 1410	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	July 1944	1978
F 604	F 1429	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	July 1944	1978
F 605	F 1437 EA 6715	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	August 1944	1996	Preserved, Rimutaka Incline Railway Heritage Trust.
F 606	F 2367	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	December 1943	March 1987
F 607	F 2375	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	January 1944	March 1987
F 608	F 2383	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1944	March 1987
F 609	F 2391 EA 7207	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1944	1990	Preserved, Steam Incorporated.
F 610	F 1445 EA 7150	NZR Otahuhu Workshops	March 1944	1988	Preserved, Feilding and District Steam Rail Society.

References

1. Research Notes on Cars, Part 17: 56ft Carriages, by Juliet Scoble
2. New Zealand Railways Passenger Rolling Stock Plan Book, Volume One by Fred Lee (2003, NZRLS Wellington) ISBN 978-0-908573-80-6
3. John Agnew, NZPassengerCars Yahoo Group
4. "Technical information' on Taieri Gorge Railway website, retrieved 2009-05-10
5. Peter McCallum, NZHT-Rail Yahoo Group
6. Stevens, Sam (13 September 2008). "New Taieri Gorge carriage on display". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
7. New Zealand Railway Observer, December 2008-January 2009

External links

• Photo of new 56 foot second class carriages c1938