NB end loading cars
A total of six NB end loading cars were built and they represent the first passenger vehicles available to the Victorian narrow gauge lines. They had a platform at either end and a central aisle through the two internal compartments for 2nd class passengers. There was even a dunny on board!
This is 5NB which was converted to use as a brake van while in use on the Moe-Walhalla. This conversion consisted of raising the hand brake wheel to the top of the platform barrier.
NAB side loading cars
There were four NAB cars which provided both 1st and 2nd class travel in 6 side-loading compartments. Originally the center window was the site of two lavatories, one on either side of the vehicle.
I don't have a picture of a NB side loading car but there was a total of 17 of these vehicles providing 2nd class travel. They had five compartments and were generally similar to the NAB cars.
NBC combined 2nd class brakevans
A total of seven of these vehicles were built between 1898 and 1907 and most of them saw service on the Walhalla line. At one end they could carry seven passengers in a smoking saloon. There was a toilet, supposedly the only gents on the narrow gauge! The rest of the carriage was given over to parcel space and room for the guard.
NBCs had doors at either end that allowed access to the end-loading NB cars, so these two vehicles were often placed next to each other.
NC brakevans
Six of these vehicles were built between 1909 and 1919. Although originally the bodies were all wood construction, later some were clad in iron plating.
This carriage was one big parcel space with room for the guard. Tickets could be sold through the small window at the end of the carriage and they sported the words "Booking Office" in frosted glass.
These vehicles were also fitted with full length running boards and hand rails, the only way for the guard to reach the rest of the train while the train was in motion.
Photo courtesy of Bill Russell
NU louvered vans
Fourteen louvered vans were built between 1899 and 1911. They had wooden louvered walls on all four sides allowing air to circulate through the freight.
Mostly these vans were used for carrying farm produce and perishable cargoes. Like the NBC and NC vans, these vehicles were originally fitted with full length running boards and hand rails but these were later removed and replaced by a short running board under the doors.
NH covered van
Only one of these vehicles was built and it was designed specifically for the Walhalla line. The body was a wooden frame with iron plate sides and, internally, it was divided into two compartments; one for general freight and the other for explosives.
With the end of mining activities at Walhalla in 1915, the explosives compartment was no longer required so the NH was converted to general freight use by replacing the iron plate doors with louvered doors as seen here.
NT insulated van
Like the NH, only one of NT vehicles was built. The body was insulated with cow hair and presumably pressed into service for the transport of perishable goods.
Originally the NT, NH and some NU vans were painted white but all were subsequently painted VR red. However, the good people at Puffing Billy have repainted both the NT and the NH in white, just to show what they were like originally.
Although I've got evidence that the NT van ran on the other three Victorian narrow gauge lines but I've got no proof that it was ever assigned to the Walhalla line. But I thought I'ld throw it in here because I've got a nice picture of it!
NM cattle wagons
A total of 15 NM cattle wagons were built between 1899 and 1918.
The body frame was constructed of angle iron with wooden planked sides and a curved roof of corrugated iron. There were four doors, one at the end of each side. These consisted of two side-hinged doors at the top and a bottom hinged lower section that formed a loading ramp when lowered.
Modified NQ wagons with a iron-pipe frame also provided transport for cattle and sheep.
NQ open wagons
The NQ open wagons were the most common type of vehicle on the Vic narrow gauge and they were the main, general purpose workhorse of the system.
All up there were 218 NQs placed in service between 1898 and 1913. They all had three section, hinged drop-sides and some early versions were fitted with trap doors in the floor.
Modified NQ open wagons
Some NQ open wagons were modified for various uses. Shown here is an NQ modified for passenger traffic. These were often used on the Walhalla line for special excursion trains such as the Back To Walhalla specials run ever Australia Day.
Other modifications to NQs include sheep and cattle transport, water gins and pulpwood traffic.
