Hi all,
Can anyone advise what locomotives/trains ran on the Murwillumbah line during the late 70's early 80's; I can find a lot of pictures of the Motorail but very little information regarding freight operations.
I am also interested to clarify what sleeping cars were used on the Motorail, there looks to be an Aurora carriage along with several FAM (?) carriages.
All information gratefully received.
Regards
Andrew

By the late 70s/early 80s there was very little freight on the Murwillumbah branch line. There was a regular fly ash train that took flyash from Murwillumbah down I think to the cement works near Wyee south of Newcastle. Also some sugar carried southwards as well. And I think that was about it. By the late 70s most of the perishable traffic (bananas etc) had gone over to road transport.

As far as the sleepers on the overnight train (which had several names during its existence) they would have normally been FAMs as these were specifically built for this train. But I'm sure there would have been occasions when Aurora sleepers would have made there way into the consist.

Hope this helps.

Tony

Sorry - meant to add a note about the locos. Would have normally been any loco that operated the NCR at this time. Mostly 442s and 48s with maybe the occasional 45.

ATTENTION MODERATORS Same thread over on https://www.railpage.com.au/f-p2033507.htm#2033507  so could moderators please combinee the two

The Pacific Coast Motorail had one roomette sleeper (think LAN) and a few twinette sleepers (think FAM).

I remember on one occassion in 1989 it also had both a dining car and a buffet car.