Australian Railway Historical Society (ACT Division)

Refreshment Services / Sitting Car RFN 1739 RFN 1739 was built in 1939, originally as BN 2201, a first class centre aisle, open saloon car. In 1974, as part of a major overhaul, the seating capacity was reduced and the wall panelling and lighting updated. The carriage was recoded to SCN 1739 and used for several years on Sydney-Lithgow inter-urban services, and later between Sydney and Goulburn. In 1989 it was withdrawn from service and purchased by the Society. It has two saloons, the first with 32 seats arranged in club style (that is, 4 seats per table on each side of the centre aisle). Seating in the second saloon was removed and a service counter installed, for the sale of tea, coffee, soft drinks and confectionery on day trains, and alcoholic drinks on dinner trains such as the RailRoad Restaurant and Tarago dinner / dance trains. The car was subsequently recoded RFN 1739 to reflect its use as a refreshment car. The car is gas heated, and there is extensive refrigeration for refreshments. Together with HN 2198 (an open saloon car with guard's accommodation), RFN 1739 is used on most tour trains operated by the Society.

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