AL1040 appreciation

The Pullman sleeping car AL1040 is truly one-of-a-kind: one of, if not the only, wooden-framed, wooden-bodied Pullman sleeping car in original condition left in the world.

Built in 1901, many of its original fittings were stripped in the 1930s when converted to a mobile dental clinic. For over 20 years, a small but dedicated group of volunteers have worked to return the carriage to an 'as-built' condition, reinstating lost features and working from what scant records survive. The frosted windows, pressed ceilings, red cedar bunks, gold scrollwork, even the white upholstery and marble countertops, have been meticulously researched and recreated.

Work is currently underway on the roof and clerestory, while internally samples of the replica carpet have been delivered. Best of all, AL1040 is fully open and explorable for anyone who visits the museum!

If you are interested in this information, you might also be interested in becoming a member. See Membership Benefits or go straight to Join or Renew to become a member of the Canberra Railway Museum.