L516 - the story so far.

Entering service in 1937 as sleeping car TAM 502, L516 was one of 7 sleeping cars built by Richie Brothers, Sydney for mail and express train service with the New South Wales Government Railways.
As built the car was finished externally with “match board” panels and crownlight configuration windows and internally had 10 x 2 berth sleeping compartments, an attendants compartment and male & female toilets.
During its passenger service life it carried original varnish, Tuscan Red & Russet and standard Indian Red liveries.
TAM 502 was transferred to mechanical branch service stock in 1978 and was dispatched to Goulburn Depot for use with the Breakdown Crane.
In Goulburn it was converted for use as a crew van at the Goulburn Perway Workshops under the guidance of DLE Mr Tony Smithton. 5 x Sleeping berths were removed from one end to make way for cooking and dining areas to be installed with 2 dining booths, stoves, fridges and a shower being fitted to cater for the breakdown crew staff when working away from their depot. At this time the car was recoded L516.
When Goulburn depot closed L516 continued its breakdown train duties after being transferred to Lithgow. When a crew van was sort to support the operation of locomotive 3801 and the Bicentennial train in 1988, Western Region Manager Tony Gogarty arranged for the car to be utilised and for further enhancements to be made. A Microwave oven, 240V generator and radio charging equipment were added and the car was wired for 240V power, lights and shore supply by Train Equipment Section Redfern, ACDEP & Lithgow Depots.
After making many long distance trips with locomotive 3801, the car was moved in 1994 to Port Kembla to support operations and maintenance staff working the 3801 Limited Cockatoo Run service. When this operations based closed, L516 returned to Eveleigh for use as an office and was then placed in storage for a brief period at Goulburn Roundhouse.
L516 again returned to Eveleigh in June 2007 so its restoration by 3801 Limited volunteers could commence.




Oldmates inside L516 in 1988.


A drawing of L516 as fitted out at Goulburn for breakdown train duties.





L516 behind 3801 at Spencer Street Station Melbourne 1988.




A TAM Sleeping car as originally built.

End of car preparation

Despite having been painted at some time with paint that sands like chewing gum L516's ends are responding well to the sanding and repair works.

The sides start to go back on

New timber for the replacement panels arrives.

7m panels can be fun to handle.

Traditional brass slotted screws are headed with the grain - no Speed screws here!

After much sanding, grinding, cutting, routing & gluing the car sides are going back together. Thanks to some age old arts and modern machines & materials the 7m sides panels are going on without the need for multiple cover strips.

This process will ensure the authentic appearance is retained on the car as well as improving its resistance to wet weather.

External features

Despite many changes being made to L516 over the years it still retains some original "matchboard" end panelling and double letterboard timbers.

Inside L516

L516 retains its sleeping compartments throughout half of the car with ornate pressed metal ceilings, silver wash basins and cedar panelling.
The end of the car previously stripped to create the kitchen and dining areas has been cleared to check the integrity of the carbody and expedite its restoration.









Compartment with silver wash basin.

Sleeping end corridor.

External condition

End timbers


Blocking timbers




Roof canopy canvas.

The photos above show some of the external condition and damage to the carriage as received:
Timber split ( but the screws are still headed), blocking damaged, and roof peeling. Already the car is looking better thanks to the work of our carbuilder and volunteers.

We are working on the restoration of L516 at present.
This car was previously TAM502.

Half of the car has now been repanelled. Work has concentrated on rebuilding the exterior of this car. Additional timber has been ordered to complete the job.

Brass wood screws used to fasten the wood to the sides are proving difficult to buy.
We have just placed a large order with a fastener supplier.