Southern Aurora

Southern Aurora

The "Southern Aurora" was a named express passenger train that operated between the cities of Melbourne and Sydney in Australia. First-class throughout, including the dining facilities, the Southern Aurora featured all-sleeper accommodation.cite web | title = Public transport history | work = Department of Infrastructure | url = http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/doi/internet/transport.nsf/allDocs/RWPE06934B7A6094C844A256AFD001C4975?OpenDocument | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-02-05 ] The train first ran on April 16, 1962 after the opening of the North East standard gauge line from Melbourne to Albury,cite web | title = VR timeline | work = http://www.victorianrailways.net/ | publisher = Mark Bau | url = http://www.victorianrailways.net/vr%20history/history.html | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-02-05 ] eliminating the break-of-gauge between the capital cities [Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, December, 1962 pp181-188] .

The carriages used featured fluted sides and consisted of roomette and twinette sleepers, lounge cars and diners,cite web | title = Southern Aurora | work = http://www.pjv101.net/ | publisher = Peter J Vincent | url = http://www.pjv101.net/cd/pages/trsa.htm | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-02-05 ] and were owned jointly by the Victorian Railways and the New South Wales Government Railways. [cite web | title = Abbreviations and Glossary of Terms: S | work = Comrails | publisher = Chris Drymalik | url = http://comrails.railpage.org.au/common/glossary_s.html#saurora | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-02-05 ] In later years a MotoRail service was added which enabled passengers to travel and bring their cars.

On February 7, 1969 the train was involved in the Violet Town railway disaster, when the southbound "Southern Aurora" collided head on with a northbound freight train, resulting in 8 deaths. Patronage declined though the 1980s, with the train being combined with the "Spirit of Progress" to form the "Sydney Express" (from Melbourne) and the "Melbourne Express" (from Sydney), the last run of the "Southern Aurora" being on August 3, 1986.

After the demise of the train, the majority of the carriages have passed to the New South Wales Rail Transport Museum, [cite web | title = New South Wales Rail Transport Museum | work = 150 years of NSW Railways | publisher = RailCorp | url = http://www.railcorp.info/150years/our_supporters | format = HTML | accessdate = 2008-02-05 ] who have preserved them in operational condition.

References

Further Reading

"The Southern Aurora Sleeping Cars - Design and Construction" Adam, Eric Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, October;November, 1990 pp231-243;255-270.

ee also

*"Spirit of Progress"
*"Intercapital Daylight"
*"Sydney/Melbourne Express"


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