Travelling Post Office Van Willochra

Victorian and South Australian Railways

Broad Gauge

 

Class operators: South Australian Railways/Victorian and South Australian Railways

Condition: Excellent

Entered service: January 1887

Entered the museum: 27.6.1991

Number in class: 3

Ownership: Port Dock Station Railway Trust

Provenance: V & SAR, SAR

Withdrawn: 1966

 

This small carriage was originally built as Post Office Van O18 for use on the Intercolonial Express that ran nightly between Adelaide and Melbourne. It was jointly owned by the Victorian and South Australian Railways, and was first used in January 1887.

When new Post Office vans were constructed for the Express in 1908 it become the exclusive property of the South Australian Railways who renumber it 258. Having little use for a mail van, it was converted in 1916 to Officers Inspection car Murray. When the new Commissioner’s car was named Murray in 1934, the old Murray was given the name Willochra, a name that had previously been used on, at that time, a recently condemned sleeping car.

After being condemned in 1966, it was used for accommodation on a farm at Jabuk and eventually ended up at Old Tailem Town Historic Village, in Tailem Bend. In June 1991 it was moved to the Museum.

Visit the NRM

76 Lipson Street
Port Adelaide
South Australia  5015
Australia
Open Daily / 10am – 4:30pm

Adult

$17

Concession

$10

Child
5-15 yrs & with an adult

$7

Family
2 adults & up to 3 children

$40

  • Prices may vary for special events
  • EFTPOS is preferred payment method
  • Open from 12pm on ANZAC Day
  • Closed Christmas Day

Phone: 8341 1690

The National Railway Museum acknowledges the Kaurna people as the traditional owners and custodians of the Adelaide Plains. We honour and respect their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country. We aim to respect the cultural heritage, customs and beliefs of all Indigenous people.

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