Recycled names

While Tanjil and Moorabool were new names, the other two were recycled from previous rollingstock. The name Mitta Mitta had previously been applied to a special-purpose car, built in 1910 using the bodies of two Ministerial vehicles dating back to 1880; the car was renamed Edinburgh in 1889, then Mitta Mitta in December 1910. In July 1924 the car was rebuilt as a Medical Test and Vision car, used with a travelling doctor to ensure that all Victorian Railways staff were healthy enough to safely work. The car was pulled from service and demolished in May 1939. In its place, E type carriage Wimmera was removed from passenger service, refitted and renamed as the new Medical Test and Vision car from October 1938. This vehicle may have been selected once Taggerty was deemed an appropriate replacement. So the selection of names "Wimmera" and "Mitta Mitta" could be deemed appropriate, given their association with each other.

Changes to design

The full buffet cars did not feature side doors for passengers whilst the compartment buffets had doors on each side at the compartment end in the same style as all other sitting cars. A single side door was provided for accessing the staff and kitchen area. Other changes included a thin aluminium plate over the ends of the full-width diaphragms, to hide the open-end framework.

Wimmera was fitted with indirect, central-trough lighting, while the other three were fitted with semi-recessed circular light units recessed into the ceiling.

While Wimmera, Mitta Mitta and Moorabool used the same construction method as the first Spirit of Progress carriages, research by Peter Clark has indicated that Tanjil was constructed differently. This car was used as a test-bed for all-welded construction methods, which Clapp had seen on the Milwaukee Road, in 1934 during his trip to America. This gives Tanjil a smooth finish on the sides, rather than the riveted sides of all earlier carriages.

In service

At this time, the Spirit of Progress was still operating as a maximum 11-car train, leaving one first class and one second class carriage spare. Often, the Steel Bulk Mail van was not required.

Wimmera and Mitta Mitta were attached to The Overland in place of Goulburn, Campaspe, Avoca and Hopkins.

Tanjil and Moorabool were rostered on daily (except Sunday) runs from Melbourne to Warrnambool and Horsham, with the former first running on 8 August 1939,^[4] although this practice was terminated not long after due to wartime restrictions. The pair were stored in Newport Workshops, along with E type carriages 21AE and 26AE, which were planned to be converted to further buffet cars with a similar layout to Taggerty.

First all-welded passenger cars

Following the success of the electric-arc welding construction method for Tanjil, six further passenger cars were ordered from Newport Workshops. 1940 saw delivered three new AS carriages, 6, 7 and 8, and three new BS carriages, 5, 6 and 7. These six cars were painted in the same livery as the buffet cars; red with silver lines and text in an Art Deco font. As the cars were under construction at the outbreak of World War II, they could not be finished to the same high standard as the previous builds. The internal timber veneer linings were disposed of; instead the surfaces were painted a pastel grey shade, later changed to cream. This proved to be a much less durable covering in service.

New carriages, 9AS to 16AS & State Car 5

As part of the war recovery, more S type carriages were built. Starting from 1948 further AS cars were constructed, with 9AS and 10AS released to service on 2 December 1948; 11AS on the 22nd and 12AS on 29 March 1949, and 13AS on 20 May that year. 14AS entered service a year later, on 9 May 1950, while 15AS and 16AS were added on 4 and 12 December 1952. All of these carriages were released to service in the same livery as the previous red cars, with silver lines. The only noticeable change is the picking-out of some large underframe equipment in silver.

However, these carriages were not identical to the war-time built cars (6 to 8AS), with some of the modifications from the original design not applied. For instance, the end diaphragm units did not have the flat aluminium ends applied, and the carriages were all fitted with varnished timber wall linings. One new alteration to the design was the division of the toilet compartments at each end of the carriage into two smaller areas, thus separating the toilet from the sink. These carriage bodies were mostly welded, although some cars were built with a line of rivets along the bottom of the sides.

In 1951, State Car 5 was built in preparation for upcoming 1952 Royal Tour, as the previous State Car (Number 4, built in 1912) was beginning to show its age. This new car was initially painted in the same dark red as the other cars, albeit without any sort of lining; instead the Royal Coat of Arms was placed on the centre of the carriage sides: transfers of the proper design were obtained from the Canadian Pacific Railway for this. By the time of the 1954 Royal tour, the car had been painted into VR Blue and Gold, with a new application of the royal insignia in the middle of each side. This insignia was covered by sheet-metal when not used by members of royalty (or their representatives in Australia).

In service

From 1945, Wimmera and Mitta Mitta ran alternate journeys as part of the Albury Express. Tanjil was stored at the Spencer Street dining car depot as a spare vehicle, and Moorabool was rostered on the Gippslander from 1952. The new sitting carriages, when not being used on the Albury Express or taking over a spot on the Spirit of Progress, would have been available for use on other services.

Repaints and changing schemes

Moorabool, and probably the other buffet cars, received a repaint in 1950 - for the first time since their construction prior to the Second World War. No changes were made to the livery at this time, but the paint had faded quite drastically over the intervening decade. A second repaint occurred in 1953. However, by this time the railways had stopped using gold-leaf or gold paint on the blue carriages, instead switching to yellow transfers for lining and lettering. These were applied to at least some of the red carriages in lieu of painted silver lines, and the different base resulted in cream-coloured lines and lettering. 5BS and 6BS were repainted to blue with gold paint to serve as spares for the Spirit of Progress, although it is not known when this occurred.

The Overland (ABS)

In early 1953, the South Australian Railways withdrew their 750-class excursion carriages from The Overland, as these, while of steel construction, were not air-conditioned. These carriages had provided 22 first- and 24 second-class seats, and a replacements were required. The Victorian Railways decided to convert two AS carriages, and so in autumn of that year cars 12AS and 13AS were altered to composite carriages 1ABS and 2ABS respectively. Each car retained the existing compartments at the first class end, but had second-class seats installed in the other half, providing accommodation for a total of 24 first- and 32 second-class passengers. Two compartments of each class (half of the total seats) were reserved for smokers, and intermediate doors were installed in the corridor to separate these sections. Both carriages were painted deep red with thick silver stripes to match the then-new Overland J type carriages, however the black roof was not applied to the S cars. Window frames were red on the vertical and silver on the horizontal, to match the silver stripes. Lettering was in a plain silver with no special fonts.

The new cars were used to provide the same roadside service as the 750-class carriages, which had previously been used for passengers wishing to travel only part of the length of The Overland - for example, to and from Stawell or Horsham. This was done to allow passengers from those towns to travel to Melbourne or Adelaide and return in the same day; arrival at Melbourne would be at 9am, and departure at 8pm.

It is not clear whether 12AS and 13AS spent any time in VR Blue and Gold between the red/silver and Overland liveries, although this is unlikely.

Change from red/silver to blue/gold

1954 saw an official change of colour scheme following the Royal Tour, and it was decided that the red/silver carriages (other than the two Overland ABS vehicles) would be repainted to a standard blue and yellow scheme, perhaps to better match the blue diesels that were quickly arriving. The carriages previously fitted with gold leaf had this replaced with Dulux 16078 Yellow, which better matched the paint of the new diesels and was much cheaper to apply and touch-up. It was also decided to paint the air-conditioned E type carriages and a number of CE vans in the blue and yellow livery.

Repainting was slow, and in the short term the railways chose to use transfers instead of liquid paint with stencils, to ensure accuracy when applying class designations and the 2" and 3" stripes along the sides of the carriages. Occasionally a yellow transfer would be placed on a red carriage where the silver stripes had previously been; this would result in a cream colour, both for lines and lettering. This scheme first appeared on the debut run of The Gippslander, hauled by a L Class on 21 July 1954.

Wimmera and Mitta Mitta were painted blue in 1956, and Moorabool followed in 1958. It is thought that the latter was the last car in the red and silver livery. It is not known when Tanjil changed colour schemes.

New-build BS vehicles

In 1955-56, a further eight BS vehicles were constructed, numbered 8BS to 14BS. These new cars were fitted with fluorescent lighting from new, as had been installed in State Car 5 in 1951. 8BS was released in April 1955, then cars were delivered on a production line with a new one appearing every two to three months until December 1956. All were painted in blue and yellow from the outset, and were constructed in a similar fashion to the last of the AS fleet, with smooth sides other than the dual line of rivets down the bottom of the carriage. It is not known whether these carriages were fitted with full-width diaphragms from the beginning or at all, but this is unlikely.

Additional underframes were prepared for further construction, but these were utilised in the following Victorian Railways Z type carriage builds instead. This explains why some of the early Z type carriages have rivets along the lower edge of the body sides.

The Intercapital Daylight (ABS & Lounge/Club Car)

In September 1956, car 9AS was similarly altered internally to become 3ABS. However, the car was not repainted into the Overland colour scheme. This car was occasionally used on the Overland service to replace one of the other two, but for the most part its conversion was for the new The Daylight service running from Melbourne to Albury.

This new train, which had been introduced on 26 March 1956, initially ran only three days per week; to Albury on one day, then running back to Melbourne/Sydney the next. From 24 September the trains ran daily except Sunday, and the Melbourne half ran non-stop. The train towards Sydney ran in the early morning and connected at Albury, then turned on the Wodonga triangle and stabled until time to meet the arrival from Sydney and run back to Melbourne.

This train also included the former Parlor Car, now renamed the Lounge Car, in its eight-carriage standard consist. In 1958 the car was renamed again, this time to the Club Car (not to be confused with the three Overland Club Cars built in 1970).

Notably, around this time the Z type carriages were introduced; these were of a similar design but with a saloon layout internally, with two rows of seats either side of a central walkway in lieu of compartments.

Upgraded bogies

From the late 1950s, the S fleet were provided with upgraded bogies; Tanjil for instance was refitted at Newport Workshops and re-entered service on 4 June 1959.

MBS "Mini-buffet" cars

In 1965, it was decided to provide buffet services on broad gauge trains, based on the service provided in the VFR cars and Taggerty. Cars 2BS and 3BS were released to service in 1966 as 1MBS and 2MBS. In 1968 9AS (formerly 3ABS) was converted to 3MBS. The cars were marked externally as "Mini-Buffet". Of the eight original sitting compartments, five were retained. Two of the others were replaced with a serving counter and small eating area for twelve,^[7] while the final compartment and the toilet at that end was replaced with a kitchen. 3MBS had originally been allocated to the Mildura Sunlight up to April 1967; when that train was cancelled in favour of The Vinelander the vehicle was temporarily stored then re-allocated to the Albury Express in July of the same year.^[8]

In 1983, 1MBS was converted back to BS configuration, firstly to 13BS as its original number had since been taken, then as BS 213 when the New Deal struck. 2MBS and 3MBS retained their food preparation capability, modified to the BRS configuration as BRS227 and BRS9 then BRS229 respectively.

Changed lettering

In 1966, the previously-utilised Art Deco font was replaced with Sans Serif lettering, to match the air-conditioned E type carriages and to keep the Art Deco font exclusively with Spirit of Progress rolling stock.

In 1970, all references to "Second" class were abolished, but his led to passenger confusion so in 1975, cars previously categorised as such were re-labelled as "Economy" class. Rather than markings at the ends of the cars above the doors, the new class markings were applied in the centre. As previously, the art deco font was utilised on standard gauge for the Spirit train, and the sans serif font was applied to the broad gauge carriages.

In 1972, 1ABS was converted back to 12AS, and 2ABS was converted to 15BS. Shortly afterwards, 7AS was destroyed in a derailment.

AS to BS conversions

In 1982, two AS carriages, 11 and 2, were converted to 1 and 2BS^[10] respectively, recycling the identities of the first two-second class S type carriages. This was around the time of the introduction of the N type carriages and conversion of AZ cars to ACZ, which meant that all trains automatically included first class accommodation; as a result loose first class carriages were generally no longer required.

2VHN scrapped

On 17 June 1982, the standard gauge Spirit of Progress with 2VHN trailing had broken down at Barnawatha, Victoria and was struck in the rear by locomotive S317.^[11] The van was demolished, being was recorded as "Off Register" on 3 March 1983.^[12] The remains were scrapped on 21 September 1984.^[13]

Crew cars

Carriage BRS221, converted into a crew car for Pacific National

Many of the carriages from West Coast Railway were on-sold to various operators and refurbished for use as crew cars on long-haul services.

SN7 / Z57 / SZ7

The five BS carriages 215 to 219 operated with V/Line as part of various consists up to 2006, when they were once again placed in storage following deliveries of the VLocity railcar fleet. However, the Kerang rail accident in 2007 saw some N type carriages damaged, so the five BS carriages were recalled to service and coupled to ACN21. The new set, SN7, ran for about two years before BCZ257 was substituted for ACN21; the S cars were withdrawn again in 2010.

In April 2017, V/Line finally decided that the S type carriages were surplus to requirements, and a tendering process was organised to dispose of them. In March 2018, it was announced that the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre had acquired 216, 218, and 219, while 707 Operations purchased 215. 217 was made available to both groups as a source of spare parts.^[22] In the intermediate period 2010-2017, the carriages had some parts removed for use elsewhere, including bogies. For depot transfers and future use, the new operators are to replace those pieces. Many of the carriages have suffered external damage and one had been broken into, with a dry powder fire extinguisher being exhausted over the seats. Apart from this, they are still in good condition.

Current status

By original S-type identity, with current identity in brackets.

AS

Sixteen AS carriages were built in total from 1937 to 1952. The first five were intended for the Spirit of Progress, and painted royal blue with gold leaf lining applied to the sides. The remaining 11 cars entered service in a red scheme with two silver painted lines in lieu of the gold leaf.

9AS, 12AS, and 13AS were temporarily classed ABS from 1953; 9AS was restored in 1963, and 12AS in 1972. 9AS became 3MBS in 1968.

2ABS (ex 13AS) became 15BS in 1972, around the same time that 7AS was scrapped following a derailment near Werribee in 1970.

From the early 1980s, the cars were recycled to other types, as first class demand had dropped off significantly. Eight AS cars (1 to 5, 10, 11, and 14) were converted directly to BS (numbers 209, 2/202, 211, 204, 7/207, 3/203, 1/201, 205) followed by AS206 (ex 8AS) and AS210 (ex 15AS), which became BS206 and BS210 immediately when parts became available. 6AS, 12AS, and 16AS were used to create BRS buffet cars 1/221, 3/223, and 2/222. 9AS was converted to 9BRS, and shortly after renumbered to BRS229.

BS cars 207, 203, and 205 (ex AS cars 5, 10, and 14) and BRS cars 221 and 222 (ex AS cars 6 and 16) were sold to West Coast Railway in April 1995 following a nearly two-year lease. They were later joined by BRS223 (ex 12AS) and BS201 (ex 11AS), leaving V/Line with cars BS202, 204, 206, 209, and 211 (ex cars 2AS, 4AS, 8AS, 1AS, and 3AS respectively). Of those, BS206 and BS209 were sold to Steamrail Victoria; the former is now in service, while the latter is stored awaiting restoration. Seymour Railway Heritage Centre acquired BS204 and BS211, with the latter renumbered to 3AS and both in service.

West Coast Railway ceased operations in 2004, and their fleet was dispersed. BS cars 201 (ex 11AS), 203 (ex 10AS), 207 (ex 5AS), and 229BRS (ex 9AS) went to Steamrail Victoria; the latter of those was renumbered 9BRS, and they are all now in service in blue and yellow. 707 Operations purchased BS205 (ex 14AS) and BS212 (ex 13AS), now both in maroon and operational. BRS 221, 222, and 223 (ex AS 6, 16, and 12) were sold to Pacific National for use as crew cars. BRS229 (ex 9AS) was renumbered an unorthodox 9BRS and painted in blue and yellow by Steamrail Victoria. BS210 (ex 15AS) went to Queensland Rail, now Aurizon, and now operates as crew car QBCY10W.

ABS

Three ABS carriages were converted from first class carriages. Four compartments had their first class seats removed, and second class seats were substituted. 1ABS and 2ABS were converted in 1953 and painted in maroon with silver to provide short-distance capacity on the Melbourne to Adelaide Overland train, and were generally marshalled adjacent to the van;^[28] when the train stopped at short platforms, it made sense to have the van and the short-distance cars near each other as very few sleeping passengers would be exiting. The other two were painted in blue and yellow from around 1967, and in 1972 1ABS was restored to 12AS, while 2ABS (ex 13AS) became 15BS instead.^[29]

3ABS was converted in 1956 and painted in blue and yellow (over its previous red with silver scheme as 9AS), for use on the Daylight Express from Melbourne to Albury, connecting with a train to Sydney. In 1963 the car reverted to its previous identity of 9AS.

BS, VFS, VFX and VFR

Fourteen BS carriages were built in total from 1937 to 1956. The first four were intended for the Spirit of Progress, and painted royal blue with gold leaf lining applied to the sides. The remaining 10 cars entered service in a red scheme with two silver painted lines in lieu of the gold leaf.

Eight of the fourteen cars then in service (5, 6, and 9 to 14BS) were moved across to standard gauge in 1962, becoming 2VAC, 1VAC, 4VFS, 1VFS, 2VFS, 1VFX, 2VFX, and 3VFS respectively. The VAC cars were converted to a sleeping car interior; the VFS and VFX cars were largely unchanged, though two compartments in the VFX cars were reserved for staff. In 1964 3 and 4VFS each had a single compartment (second from the men's end) cleared out and converted to a supplementary food servery, to handle overflow from the buffet cars. These were renumbered 1VFR and 2VFR respectively.

In 1966, 2BS and 3BS became MBS "mini buffet" cars 1 and 2, with three compartments and one of the toilets removed to make way for a medium-sized food serving area. They were joined by 3MBS (ex 9AS, ex 3ABS) in 1968. As such, by 1970 there were only four BS carriages in service - 1, 4, 7, and 8.

2ABS (ex 13AS) was converted to 15BS in 1972.

In 1977, 1BS and 4BS became 2MRS and 1MRS respectively; these cars were similar to the MBS conversions but with five compartments removed instead of three. At the same time the two VAC sleepers, 1 and 2 (ex 6BS and 5BS) became Sleepers 15 and 16 on broad gauge.

In the early 1980s, mass changes were made in the then-V/Line fleet, with many of the changes overlapping. 7BS became BRS224 in 1983, while 8BS was renumbered BS208, and 15BS became the second 12BS, later 212BS. At the same time eight AS cars were converted to BS, taking open number slots 1, 2, 3, and 7, shortly after renumbered BS201, 202, 203, and 207, and joined by direct converts BS204, 205, 209, and 211. Additionally, 1MBS (ex 2BS) was modified and reclassed 13BS, later BS213. As such, six BS identities - 1, 2, 3, 7, 12, and 13 - have been used by two different cars each. At the same time, 1MRS, 2MRS, and 2MBS (ex 4BS, 1BS, and 3BS) became BRS225 to 227. Sleepers No. 15 and No. 16 were re-classed SS285 and SS286.

Changes were also applied to the remaining standard gauge fleet converted from BS cars. 1VFR and 1VFS were returned to broad gauge and converted to 10 and 8BRS, later BRS230 and 228 respectively. 2VFS became VFS214, 2VFR became VFR215, and 1 and 2VFX became VFX216 and 217.

In 1990, cars 214 to 217 were moved back to broad gauge as BS214 to BS217, joined by SS285 and SS286 converted to BS218 and BS219.

Overall, cars BS201 to 207 and BS209 to 212 were originally AS cars, while BS208 and BS213 to 219 were originally BS cars (and of those, 214 to 219 had all operated on standard gauge).

Under the New Deal, the BS cars were used in most long-distance loco-hauled sets, with one or two mixed in with BRS, BZ, BCZ, AZ, and ACZ cars to give three, four, or five carriage sets. From 1993 many of those regional sets were rendered obsolete, as the Sprinter railcars entered service. BS203, 205, and 207 were initially leased to West Coast Railway, and in April 1995 they were sold to WCR following that railway being allowed to run its own trains. By October 1995 they had been joined by BS201, BS208, BS210, and BS212.

The original plan for V/Line circa 1993 was to hold the leased BS cars for West Coast and a handful for themselves, and to sell off the remaining cars. Cars BS213 and BS214, (ex 2BS and 11BS) were sold to Steamrail Victoria and the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre respectively, and both restored to their original liveries and identities.

When V/Line Passenger was incorporated, their stock register included BS212 and BS215 to 219, though BS212 was quickly sold to West Coast Railway following a derailment at Werribee in 1995. The remaining cars were stored pending a future decision. After some of the Sprinter railcars were damaged in collisions in the early 1990s (one of them, 7019, was scrapped), the five remaining BS cars were pressed back into service. They were initially mixed in with the remaining Z sets until 2006, then later formed their own set initially with ACN21 (ex set N7) forming set SN7 in 2007, and later with BCZ257 in set Z57/SZ7, when a patronage spike demanded the extra cars be retained. These cars were stored again from 2010, and in 2017 they were sold with three going to the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre, one to 707 Operations, and the fifth used as a spare parts supply for both organisations.

West Coast Railway ceased operations in 2004, and their fleet was dispersed. Their only pure BS car, BS208 (ex 8BS) was sold to Queensland Rail (since rebranded Aurizon) and converted to crew car QBCY8R. BRS224 (ex 7BS) was restored to that identity and sold to 707 Operations, and now runs in a livery scheme with the name Williamstown applied to the side.^[30] 707 Operations also acquired BS212, but have retained its West Coast Railway livery.^[31] BRS225 (ex 4BS) was sold to Pacific National, and now operates as a crew car.

BRS

Partial Buffet Cars[32][33][34][35][36][37]
9BRS as preserved by Steamrail Victoria
Constructed	1938-1985
Number built	13 shells
Number preserved	3
Design code	MBS, MRS & BRS (broad gauge); VFR (standard gauge)
Fleet numbers	Tanjil (Buffet Car No.4); Moorabool (Buffet Car No. 5); 1 & 2 VFR; VFR215; 1-3MBS; 1-2MRS; 1-3 & 8-10BRS; BRS221-230
Capacity	12 1st class passengers & 19 diners (Buffet Cars 4 & 5); 56 2nd class passengers (VFR); 40 2nd class passengers & 12 diners (MBS); 24 2nd class passengers & 12 diners (MRS); 48 2nd class passengers (BRS)
Specifications
Weight	49 LT 10 cwt 4 qtr (50.35 t) (Buffet Cars 4 & 5) 44 LT 10 cwt 4 qtr (45.26 t) (VFR) 46 LT 2 cwt 0 qtr (46.84 t) (BRS, MBS & MRS)
Axle load	12 LT 7 cwt 3 qtr (12.59 t) (Buffet Cars 4 & 5) 11 LT 2 cwt 3 qtr (11.32 t) (VFR) 11 LT 10 cwt 2 qtr (11.71 t) (BRS, MBS & MRS)

Nine of the ten BRS cars were converted from various AS and BS cars during 1983, followed by 2MRS to BRS226 in April 1984. The cars had six of the eight original compartments set up for second class passengers, with capacity for 48. Two compartments and a toilet were removed and replaced with a short buffet counter, similar to that provided in the BRN cars. The first six converted were given numbers 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, because the New Deal numbering concept had not yet been developed. Those cars all had 220 added to their identities, and the final four converts entered service as 224 to 227, giving a final fleet of BRS221 to BRS230.

Respectively, the ten cars had been converted from 6AS, 16AS, 12AS (ex 1ABS), 7BS (the first), 1MRS (ex 4BS), 2MRS (ex the first 1BS), 2MBS (ex 3BS), 1VFS from standard gauge (ex 10BS), 3MBS (ex 9AS/3ABS), and 1VFR (ex 3VFS/14BS).

Under the New Deal, the BRS cars were used in most long-distance loco-hauled sets, with one or two mixed in with BS, BZ, BCZ, AZ, and ACZ cars to give three, four or five carriage sets. From 1993 those regional sets were rendered surplus, as the Sprinter railcars entered service. BRS221, 222, 224, and 225 were initially leased to West Coast Railway, and in April 1995 they were sold to WCR following that railway being allowed to run its own trains. By October 1995 they had been joined by BRS223 (replacing BRS222, damaged at Werribee) and BRS229.

That left V/Line with BRS cars 226, 227, 228, and 230. In 1994 BRS228 was reconfigured as a staff car and named Mitta Mitta to replace Goulburn, and painted in the V/Line corporate livery of grey with white, and orange and green bands above the window line. Mitta Mitta was subsequently obtained by Seymour Railway Heritage Centre and painted Blue & Gold. BRS230 was restored to its original number but not class, and now runs as 14BRS with Steamrail Victoria. 226BRS was sold to Seymour Railway Heritage Centre, painted in blue and yellow, and now operates as 1BS (converted 1997); 227BRS was sold to Great Southern Railway Society, and renumbered 3BS. SRHC leased 1BS to National Rail for radio testing in December 1997, and it travelled extensively on standard gauge, returning to Seymour in April 1998.

West Coast Railway ceased operations in 2004, and their fleet was dispersed. BRS221, 222, 223, and 225 (ex 6AS, 16AS, 12AS, and 4BS) were sold to Pacific National for use as crew cars. BRS224 (ex 7BS) was painted in red with the name Williamstown applied to the sides and now operates with 707 operations, while BRS229 was renumbered an unorthodox 9BRS and painted in red and silver by Steamrail Victoria.

Wimmera & Mitta Mitta

These two cars originally entered service on The Overland between Melbourne and Serviceton.^[50] The cars were fitted with a long counter serving 27 eating passengers taking up most of the car length, with the remainder of the area used as a small kitchen. No side doors were provided except for kitchen staff; passengers were expected to walk through the train to access the car's facilities. From 1945 the cars were transferred to run alternate journeys on the Albury Express run.

Tanjil & Moorabool

These two cars entered service on the Warrnambool and Horsham daily trains. As the roster included some stops at stations with refreshment facilities less onboard capacity was required, so the benches were reduced to only 19 eating passengers and the remainder of the car length was used for regular first-class compartments, as provided in AS-class sitting carriages. That end of the car was fitted with a vestibule and external passenger doors both sides. The cars were stored at Newport Workshops during the second world war, as onboard catering services were not practical with limited fuel and locomotive resources. After the war Tanjil ran on The Gippslander and Moorabool was a spare retained at the Spencer Street dining car depot; by 1952 these allocations had reversed.

In 1962 Tanjil was modified to internally match Wimmera and Mitta Mitta (though with 28 seats spaced slightly closer). All three were transferred across to standard gauge to provide onboard catering facilities for the new standard gauge Spirit of Progress, and became 1, 2, and 3VRS.

Moorabool was retained on the broad gauge system for The Gippslander until the mid-1980s, when it was withdrawn in lieu of BRN cars in fixed N sets. It was then reallocated to the Train of Knowledge.