| Class VY Bullion vans |
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WAGR official photo of VY4999 (RHWA collection) |
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The gold rush of the late 1890's produced a massive expansion of the W.A.G.R. to service the demands of a rapidly expanding colony. The gold also needed to be transported and whilst some was carried in ordinary coaches there was also a need for a specialist vehicle. Bullion van VY4999 was built in 1908 to supplement an earlier 4 wheel van DY5893 built in 1902. The WAGR outline diagram for VY4999 is shown below.
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In 1948 the safe was removed and it became a VW class workmen's van. At some point it swapped its original 5'-6" coach bogies for a pair of 4'-10" bogies which must have come from a Z van. It was written off in 1991 but happily VY4999 survives in preservation. |
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In 1948 passenger brake van ZJ260 (originally ZA 9346) was converted into a bullion van to replace VY4999 and renumbered VY5000. In 1968 it too became a workmen's van (VW) but then became inspection coach AL1 in 1972. It was finally written off in 1980. |
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VY 5000 (Photo RHWA collection) |
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The WAGR outline diagram for VY5000 is shown below.
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