Steamrail Northern Weekender
Interior detail of the compartment with buffet style carriage BRS9 that is currently owned by Steamrail Victoria. The art deco style with use of metal and wood veneer is as used in the renown Victorian train the Spirit of Progress. Unfortunately overt the years the cabins have been redecorated and lost their original themes.
Carriage No 9BRS, previously 9AS, 3ABS (Sept 1956), 9AS (Dec 1963), 3MBS (Oct 1968), BRS229 (Oct 1983).
From: The Argus newspaper (Melbourne), 17/11/1937:
IN THE CARS:
Cosy and Cool - The exterior, austere, unbroken in line, with only the row of windows flush with the walls and the double line of gold along It, gives no hint of what Iies within. It may be that the designers planned the contrast deliberately, for it is most effective. Through a flush door in the wall of blue painted steel the passenger steps into an atmosphere of comfort. The air itself is different, as indeed it should be, for the results of years of scientific and engineering experience and experiment are embodied in the air conditioning plant with which each carriage is fitted.
The floors are deep with carpeting thick piled Axmlnsters and Wiltons. Beneath tile carpet there is rubber linoleum. Beneath that again is a layer of sponge rubber; then wood fibre board; then a thick layer of cork to cover the grooved Corten steel. Then hair felt, and a sheet of aluminium. It seems as complicated a floor as ever was made; It is designed to exclude all noise, all jarring, and all vibration.
It is, In addition, an effective barrier to heat in both directions. In winter, the floor cannot become cold; in summer, it cannot become hotter than the cool conditioned air which will circulate through every part of the train. But all the passenger sees of It is the yielding carpet, edged with rubber skirtings which effectively protect the polished wood panel walls from scratches.
Walls and ceilings are Insulated similarly. Inside the shell of each carriage there is a layer of soundproof felting, cemented to the steel. Crinkled aluminium foil reduces the heat transference in the roof, and in the walls its place is taken by insulating sheets cemented to the felt The inside finish is of panels of Australian Umber in beautiful shades and figuring. Every corner Is rounded, and the joinery excites admiration for the workmen who did it.
Seats are upholstered In chrome leather to harmonise with the carpets, and there Is a pleasing variety
throughout the train. In the first class non-smoking compartments the leather of the seats is dark blue, the carpet is dark brown Saxony Wilton, and the walls are of Queensland ribbon walnut.The ladies'
compartments have light grey chrome leather seats, pastel green carpet, and panels of Queensland Royal walnut. The scheme for the smoking compartment includes Queensland flowery walnut and West Australian jarrah, rich plum red leather and a carpet of dark blue.
The materials and construction of the second class compartments are identical with those of the first class, except that the colourings are different. The only significant difference between the accommodation In the two classes is that four persons will sit on each side of the second class compartment, with folding arm-rests dividing the seats into two sections, while in the first class the same space will be occupied by only three passengers on each side, with a folding armrest on each side of each passenger.
Luggage racks have rubber-covered front bars to prevent luggage from slipping, and chromium-plated fillets against the wall piotect the woodwork from scratching and enhance the appearance of the interior decoration.
The windows are large and wide, framing the scene without. They are double to prevent the conduction of heat, and they are of unshatterable glass affording complete protection in any emergency . Each compartment has its card table stored under the seat in a little locker and the fronts of the seats come straight down to the floor, leaving no harbour for rubbish.
Steamrail Northern Weekender
Interior detail of the compartment with buffet style carriage BRS9 that is currently owned by Steamrail Victoria. The art deco style with use of metal and wood veneer is as used in the renown Victorian train the Spirit of Progress. Unfortunately overt the years the cabins have been redecorated and lost their original themes.
Carriage No 9BRS, previously 9AS, 3ABS (Sept 1956), 9AS (Dec 1963), 3MBS (Oct 1968), BRS229 (Oct 1983).
From: The Argus newspaper (Melbourne), 17/11/1937:
IN THE CARS:
Cosy and Cool - The exterior, austere, unbroken in line, with only the row of windows flush with the walls and the double line of gold along It, gives no hint of what Iies within. It may be that the designers planned the contrast deliberately, for it is most effective. Through a flush door in the wall of blue painted steel the passenger steps into an atmosphere of comfort. The air itself is different, as indeed it should be, for the results of years of scientific and engineering experience and experiment are embodied in the air conditioning plant with which each carriage is fitted.
The floors are deep with carpeting thick piled Axmlnsters and Wiltons. Beneath tile carpet there is rubber linoleum. Beneath that again is a layer of sponge rubber; then wood fibre board; then a thick layer of cork to cover the grooved Corten steel. Then hair felt, and a sheet of aluminium. It seems as complicated a floor as ever was made; It is designed to exclude all noise, all jarring, and all vibration.
It is, In addition, an effective barrier to heat in both directions. In winter, the floor cannot become cold; in summer, it cannot become hotter than the cool conditioned air which will circulate through every part of the train. But all the passenger sees of It is the yielding carpet, edged with rubber skirtings which effectively protect the polished wood panel walls from scratches.
Walls and ceilings are Insulated similarly. Inside the shell of each carriage there is a layer of soundproof felting, cemented to the steel. Crinkled aluminium foil reduces the heat transference in the roof, and in the walls its place is taken by insulating sheets cemented to the felt The inside finish is of panels of Australian Umber in beautiful shades and figuring. Every corner Is rounded, and the joinery excites admiration for the workmen who did it.
Seats are upholstered In chrome leather to harmonise with the carpets, and there Is a pleasing variety
throughout the train. In the first class non-smoking compartments the leather of the seats is dark blue, the carpet is dark brown Saxony Wilton, and the walls are of Queensland ribbon walnut.The ladies'
compartments have light grey chrome leather seats, pastel green carpet, and panels of Queensland Royal walnut. The scheme for the smoking compartment includes Queensland flowery walnut and West Australian jarrah, rich plum red leather and a carpet of dark blue.
The materials and construction of the second class compartments are identical with those of the first class, except that the colourings are different. The only significant difference between the accommodation In the two classes is that four persons will sit on each side of the second class compartment, with folding arm-rests dividing the seats into two sections, while in the first class the same space will be occupied by only three passengers on each side, with a folding armrest on each side of each passenger.
Luggage racks have rubber-covered front bars to prevent luggage from slipping, and chromium-plated fillets against the wall piotect the woodwork from scratching and enhance the appearance of the interior decoration.
The windows are large and wide, framing the scene without. They are double to prevent the conduction of heat, and they are of unshatterable glass affording complete protection in any emergency . Each compartment has its card table stored under the seat in a little locker and the fronts of the seats come straight down to the floor, leaving no harbour for rubbish.