The second of the 'privateers' carriages, BAM1741, ironically came to 'being so' after its owner had travelled on a few of the trips using 1748 and loved the idea to have a complementing carriage for the first BAM to provide more lounge and sleeping space for the 'privateer group' when travelling. Also, by having a car, even if the vehicle isnt operating on a train, its owner still has the luxury of a home away from home in a nice setting too.
1741, like 1748, was acquired by the ARHS in the late 1980's following cessation of the NSW Mail Train services. Unlike 1748, however, 1741 had actually operated with the ARHS on a number of overnight and long distant trains.
As the ARHS came to modernise its sleeping car fleet through the strategic acquisition of airconditioned NAM and LAN Aurora Rollingstock carriages, combined with the fact that 1741 was the 4th best conditioned BAM sleeping car in the fleet, it rarely was finding any use on the ARHS trains.
The last known operation of BAM1741 within the ARHS ownership was in May 2005 on a Canberra to Sydney 'Showtime' overnight service for passengers to see The Lion King stage performance in Sydney at this time. (Ironically, also the last time the ARHS used a timber bodied TAM sleeping car - TAM906 - but that's another story for another time)
In late 2005 an offer was made to the ARHS to purchase 1741, which was accepted.
The first run of 1741 in private ownership was in April 2006 to Coolamon in NSW. The car was operated in an as-is state acquired from the ARHS. This trip was undertaken with the ARHS 7315 & 7319 to enable a workshop visit at Junee for 7315. Other carriages in this trip were BAM1748, RFN1739, PHG12720, TA501 and NAM2341 (first run of this carriage after restoration by the ARHS after being in storage with Steamrail in Victoria for nearly 12 years)
After this trip, its owner got 'stuck in' to make the modifications as desired. This car had four sleeping rooms in the middle of the car removed to form a large lounge area with bar, which now comfortably accomodates 15 people in beautiful polished timber surroundings (unlike the original vinyl and laminate interior). The conducters compartment and one shower has been gutted to form a private bedroom, which accomodates a proper "three quarter" bed for the owner's comfort.
Like 1748, works being currently undertaken on this car including fitting of 415v bylines to re-active a hot water service (the former gas system has been removed), and also enable the 240v power points to be activated for use by passengers (such as to charge phones, run laptops etc etc). The fitting of power lines will also enable airconditioning to be installed that will provide greater comfort for the travelling passengers.
To avoid duplication, pictures of this car (both internal and external) are included in trip reports to be posted.
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