Back to the Track, 1995

Over recent days, ceremonies have been held in many places to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Pacific war, the last part of WWII. In 1995, the 50th anniversary was marked with a major reenactment of a wartime troop train and vehicle convoy. Military-vehicle restorers produced a wide variety of vehicles, and a large quantity. Railway managers and outside businesses provided sponsorship. A special train carrying owners and WWII veterans left Sydney on Thurs.20.7.95, travelled via Melbourne (using the standard-gauge line to Adelaide, converted only a few months earlier), collected more wagons of vehicles in Adelaide, and arrived in Alice Springs on Fri.28.7. Along the way it had stopped at major towns & cities for inspections. The official opening of the trucking hall of fame was held while the convoy was there, before driving to Darwin. Owners flew home; vehicles were trucked back.
Today: part of the display in Melbourne (more to follow).
950722Sa Melbourne Spencer St (Vic.): 'Back to the Track' special train. (Roderick Smith). The motorail wagons have mainly jeeps; larger vehicles were on flatwagons at the front of the train.

Roderick

950722Sa Melbourne Spencer St (Vic.): 'Back to the Track' special train. (Roderick Smith). The larger vehicles on flatwagons at the front of the train. What a great way to celebrate a major event, and what a great rollout from generous owners, and there were more yet to be added in Adelaide.

Roderick

What's the vehicle in front of the GPA?

Looks far too modern to have been used in the WWII.

Even looks too modern for 1955!

What's the vehicle in front of the GPA?

Looks far too modern to have been used in the WWII.

Even looks too modern for 1955!

My first impression was FB or EK Holden but if before 1955 maybe a Mainline ford

I was going for FB or EK: incongruous in time, but not in spirit.
Roderick

zeffer

The series 2 landrover might be a bit to new as well but does not betray the spirit of the event

The trains during WWII were not airconditioned and as comfortable as this one (those carriages are late 1940s). The wagons didn't have mesh sided so protect cars from bricks thrown by lineside vandals. Those flatwagons remind me of my uncle's WWII service. He escorted tanks (ie armoured vehicles) across the Nullarbor on flatwagons, riding in the tank. One famous piece of sabotage in Victoria, with the culprit never found, was the raising of the gun barrel on a tank so that it hit the footbridge at Wangaratta. During WWII, there was break of gauge in Brisbane, at Albury, in Melbourne, at Port Augusta, then onto the road from Alice Springs. I suspect back onto rail at Larrimah: either the road was horrible, or for fuel conservation. There were times when Adelaide River was impassable for road, but the higher rail bridge was ok. At some stage, planks were laid on the rail bridge so that road vehicles could use it when necessary.
Roderick

What's the vehicle in front of the GPA?

Looks far too modern to have been used in the WWII.

Even looks too modern for 1955!

I agree with Philip...Ford Zepher.

I'm getting there at one scan per day. Luckily, the next view shows the mystery modern: an FB Holden (no mouse-whiskers on the top grille bar, so not EK). IIRC, when at Bandiana in 1972-73, Holden utes were used for local transport; I was taken in one to give a lecture at a nearby town.
950722Sa Melbourne Spencer St (Vic.): 'Back to the Track' special train. (Roderick Smith).
I've got other shots of the cinema van at other rallies, but would still have to hunt for the make and year. Others may be able to do that top of head.
Unclear in full size, the oval bonnet badge hints that the truck is the Ford version. However, the script looks like 'Leyland'. I didn't think that this company made any.
Is the flag a purpose-made event one? Is it the badge of the organising body? Is it a wartime replica?

Roderick