1613 - LHY Luggage Van

Built in 1961 as a timber bodied passenger car, rebuilt in 1983 into an interstate Brake Van, LHY 1613 is an example of an express parcels and luggage van. These were once a common sight attached to the rear of regional passenger services, laden with passengers’ luggage and bags of mail. They remained in active service until the 1980s, when mail by rail fell out of favour, and timber-bodied carriages were gradually being phased out of use. 1613 found its way to Canberra Railway Museum, where it became a long-term project to restore it as a crew and stores van for long-distance excursions.

In 2022, the decision was made to instead restore the van as a volunteer facility; a space for our diligent workers to escape the elements, have a bite to eat, and relax.