Description

Z Cars

ACZ 255 – 1st CLASS OPEN SALOON CARRIAGE WITH GUARDS COMPARTMENT

ACZ 255 was one of thirteen first class open saloon carriages with 12 rows of 2+2 seats (total 48 seats) built between 1956 and 1959. It was completed at Newport Workshops in December 1957 and numbered AZ 5.

In 1962-63 five of the carriages were converted to run on the standard gauge between Melbourne and Sydney. They were re-numbered VBK 1 to 5. AZ 5 remained on the broad gauge.

In June 1981 the seating layout of AZ 5 was increased by two rows to 14 (total 56 seats).

To make better use of the under-occupied first class accommodation, and to implement the operation of fixed carriage set running, the broad-gauge carriages were modified to include a guards van compartment. The compartment included a seat, desk, periscope and an emergency brake pipe cock. The change removed one row of seats reducing seating capacity to 52. The carriage was modified at Bendigo North Workshops and re-numbered ACZ 255 in August 1984.

The seats recline and may be reversed making the carriage ideal for families or group booking and is regular feature on our moving museum trains.

ACZ 255 underwent heavy overhaul and received a full repaint in Victorian Railway red at out Newport Workshops in 2021.