17/06/2026
Tailem Bend Railway Yard series: SAR 700 class carriage BK 714 in West Coast Railway livery
This car entered service on 9 September 1941 as the second to last member of the 700 class carriages, part of the South Australian Railways’ loco-hauled steel stock for country services. 714 originally started off as a second class car before conversion to first class.
The 700 cars were used across the broad gauge network for years, until the gradual reduction in regional rail service saw them withdrawn by Australian National in the 1980s. A number saw continued passenger use in Victoria, and 714 was sold to SteamAge Victoria for tour use in December 1981. By 1992, BK 714 was stored out of use, but later restored to service by West Coast Railway (WCR) in 1996, a company which operated passenger services between Melbourne and Warrnambool. When they folded in 2004, 714 initially went to SteamRail Victoria before the Australian Locomotive and Railway Carriage Company (ALARC) got the carriage and had it moved to Tailem Bend, where it remains today.
714 is stored in a state of disrepair with graffiti and rusty bodywork, as more suitable carriages in better condition are prioritised and worked on for future use. Given the work required to return the steel body to good condition, it would take a lot of resources to restore this car, even if it were to be static.
Photos taken with permission. Do not trespass on this site as it is private property, and it is an active rail site with rolling stock work undertaken regularly.
