In Australia, trains operating between Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie, Western
Australia across the Nullabor Plain carry a crew car behind the locomotives.

The Trans-Australia line "Commonwealth Railways" was an early candidate for
dieselisation due to lack of water for steam locomotives. I gather that after
dieselisation took place in 1961, many crew terminals across the plain were
eliminated. I think the steam era operation involved working a portion of track,
resting at a camp, and carrying on when rested to another. Dieselisation saw
running over many subdivisions of track to Cook , a remote community with engine
facilities and a resthouse.

When I talked with the engine crew on the eastbound "Indian Pacific", they had
worked through from Kalgoorlie WA., about twelve hours but there was talk of
eliminating Cook as a crew change point and using an on board sleeper.

These crew people also worked freight, and their work rotation was determined on
a monthly basis with planned days off and rest periods factored in by a "docket
clerk" (crew clerk in Canadian parlance). Pay and work scheduling in Australia
is based on an eight hour day.

The resthouse was interesting as it was a building within a building using
darkness and masonry to keep it cool.

I asked them how they felt about resting on board a moving train, of course they
were used to it as it had been common practice for forty years. The rest cars
are however specialised in that they have an on board cook and attendant, crew
lounge and kitchen plus full size bedrooms.

Would Via convert some cars to provide such ammenities?

Phil Mason
Kamloops