New South Wales N type carriage stock

The N type carriage stock was a type of steel passenger carriage operated by the Department of Railways New South Wales and its successors from 1939 until the late 1980s.

History
In September 1938 the Department of Railways New South Wales awarded a contract to Waddington, Granville for 35 steel carriages. They were equipped with forced air ventilation and downward opening windows. Neither were successful and were replaced by more conventional fittings.

The cars were delivered as 5 NUB sets of seven cars, normally marshalled as HFN, FN, FN, BN, BN, FN and HFN. Car numbers were 2177-2211 and the cars being numbered sequentially within each set. The BN cars were first class cars and sat 56 passengers in seven semi-partitioned sections. The FN cars were second class cars and could seat 78 passengers. The HFN cars were second class brake vans and could seat 68 passengers.

In May 1944 they were placed on the Newcastle Flyer services until replaced by HUB sets from 1948. They were also used on the Cessnock Express.

By 1969 five cars were modified from FN to RFN; the modified cars were three tons lighter and had a capacity of 47 passengers.

Over the years they operated on both express passenger and mail train services. In May 1968 some were converted for use on the Brisbane via Wallangarra service while in June 1970 others were modified for use on the Southern Highlands Express. They were withdrawn in the late 1980s following the cessation of the Northern and Western Mails.

Preservation
Many were sold to preservation organisations with 3801 Limited, Canberra Railway Museum and the NSW Rail Museum all having operational examples.