Available Now
First Release: 2016
Second Release: July 2023

All prices quoted include GST

 



Model Features:

  • HO Scale 1:87
  • Ready-to-Run
  • Scale size metal knuckle couplers
  • Etched brass details including see-through roof fan and vent grilles
  • Metal wire handrails and grab irons
  • Scale size air hoses
  • Under chassis details
  • Real metal chain for the handbrake
  • Plastic body and main parts
  • Operating diaphragms
  • Detailed interior (depending on the car type)
  • Aqua colour glass effect on all car windows
  • Venetian blind detail simulated on some cars
  • Blackened metal disc wheels (RP25-110)
  • Highly detailed bogies with bogie printing & separately applied factory fitted parts
  • Will operate on code 70, 83 & 100 rail
  • 24" Recommended minimum radius (will run around 18" radius curves if supplied short buffers are fitted)
  • Factory painted and decorated with laser sharp printing
  • Various different liveries & sets to choose from
  • 11 Different body versions tooled
  • PHN, MHN & PHA all equipped with working LED red tail lights and 21 pin DCC decoder socket on PCB
  • PHN & PHA power vans are sound ready and include speaker enclosures and 21 pin DCC decoder socket on the PCB
  • Illuminated blue neon Southern Aurora rear sign available on some PHN/MHN cars
  • Manual switches on PHN, MHN & PHA to operate the lights on DC
 













SOUTHERN AURORA is a registered trademark and the Southern Aurora illuminated signboard script is a trademark
owned by New South Wales Rail Transport Museum and used under licence by Auscision Models Pty Ltd.


10 Car Sets

Southern Aurora® 1962-1973 Era

 

This set features the Southern Aurora® as it ran between 1962 to 1973.
A working Southern Aurora® blue neon sign is fitted to the rear of the PHN/MHN cars.

NPS-14

Southern Aurora®, 1962-1973 Era - 10 Car Set

$1,600.00

 

NAM-2337, NAM-2342, DAM-2333, LAN-2344, LAN-2347, LAN-2352, RMS-2359, BCS-2357, PHN-2369, MHN-2365

   
       

Southern Aurora® 1973-1986 Era

This set features the Southern Aurora® as it ran between 1973 to 1986.
There is no neon sign board fitted to the PHN/MHN cars as Motorail was attached during this era.

NPS-15

Southern Aurora®, 1973-1986 Era - 10 Car Set

$1,500.00

 

 

NAM-2337, NAM-2342, DAM-2333, LAN-2344, LAN-2347, LAN-2352, RMS-2359, BCS-2357, PHN-2381, MHN-2366

   
       

Sydney/Melbourne Express 1986-1990 Era

This set features the Sydney/Melbourne Express as it ran between 1986 to 1990.
There is no neon sign board fitted to the PHN/MHN cars. The BCS car has Sydney/Melbourne Express on the side of the car.

NPS-16

Sydney/Melbourne Express, 1986-1990 Era - 10 Car Set

$1,500.00

 

 

NAM-2338, NAM-2342, NAM-2336, DAM-2333, LAN-2347, LAN-2351, RMS-2360, BCS-2379, PHN-2381, MHN2366

   
       

Sydney/Melbourne Express with SMX Stickers 1990-1993 Era

This set features the Sydney/Melbourne Express as it ran between 1990 to 1993 with SMX stickers.
It also includes PHA power van & FAM sleeping cars The BCS car has Express Club Car on the side.

NPS-62

Sydney/Melbourne Express with SMX Stickers, 1990-1993 Era - 10 Car Set

$1,500.00

 

 

PHA-2392, FAM-2384, FAM-2388, FAM-2390, BCS-2356, RMS-2359, LAN-2376, FAM-2389, LAN-2354, LAN-2351

   
       

1988 Expo Express

This set features the Expo Express as it ran between Sydney and Brisbane in 1988 for Expo 88.
It includes PHA power van and MHN parcels van. Special Expo Express artwork is applied to 8 cars in the set.

NPS-63

1988 Expo Express - 10 Car Set

$1,500.00

 

 

PHA-2392, LAN-2347, LAN-2353, NAM-2337, BCS-2356, RMS-2358, NAM-2340, NAM-2338, NAM-2335, MHN-2366

   
       

4 Car Add-on-Sets

Southern Aurora® 1962-1986 Era

This add on set features 4 cars that can be added to the Southern Aurora® 10 car sets to make the complete 14 car train.
The cars in this set can be used for both eras as they all ran between 1962-1986.

NPS-17

Southern Aurora®, 1962-1986 Era - 4 Car Add-on-Set

$ 600.00

 

 

NAM-2340, NAM-2336, LAN-2353, LAN-2349

   
       

Brisbane Limited 1961-1990 Era

This add on set features 4 cars that were used on the Brisbane Limited between Sydney and Brisbane in 1961-1990

NPS-18

Brisbane Limited, 1961-1990 Era - 4 Car Add-on-Set

$ 600.00

 

 

NAM-2329, NAM-2330, LAN-2326, LAN-2323

   
       

2 Car Add-on-Sets

Spirit Pack 1962-1986 Era

This add on set features 2 cars as used on the Spirit of Progress between 1962 & 1986

NPS-19

Spirit Pack, 1962-1986 Era - 2 Car Add-on-Set

$ 350.00

 

 

NAM-2341, PHN-2371

   
       

Single Cars

BCS Lounge Car

 

NPC-1 BCS Lounge Car, Southern Aurora® - Single Car 

$150.00

 

 

Car Number: BCS-2356

   
       



NPC-2 BCS Lounge Car, Southern Aurora® "Americas Cup Car" - Single Car 

$150.00

 

 

Car Number: BCS-2357

   
       

RMS Dining Car

 

NPC-3 RMS Dining Car, Southern Aurora® - Single Car 

$150.00

 

 

Car Number: RMS-2358

   
       



NPS-54 RMS Dining Car, West Coast Rail - Single Car 

$150.00

 

 

Car Number: RMS-2360

   
       

MHN Parcels Van

 

NPC-4 MHN Parcels Van, Southern Aurora®, with Illuminated LED Sign - Single Car 

$250.00

 

 

Car Number: MHN-2364

   
       



NPC-5 MHN Parcels Van, Southern Aurora®, without Sign - Single Car 

$200.00

 

 

Car Number: MHN-2365

   
       


NPS-20

MHN Parcels Van, XPT Demo Train - Single Car

$ 200.00

 

 

MHN-2364

   
       

PHN Power Van

NPC-6 PHN Power Van, Southern Aurora®, with Illuminated LED Sign - Single Car 

$250.00

 

 

Car Number: PHN-2361

   
       

NPC-7 PHN Power Van, Southern Aurora®, without Sign - Single Car 

$200.00

 

 

Car Number: PHN-2363

   
       

1988 Expo Express - Commonwealth Cars

NPC-8 DF Commonwealth Dining Car, 1988 Expo Express - Single Car 

$150.00

 

 

Car Number: DF-294

   
       

NPC-9 ARM Commonwealth Sleeping Car, 1988 Expo Express - Single Car 

$150.00

 

 

Car Number: ARM-952

   
       

PHN/PHA Power Van - DCC Sound Kit  

         

ASK- PHN/PHA Power Van Generator Sounds - 1 x ESU LokSound 5 Fx Decoder & Vandersound Speakers 

$    TBA

Coming Soon

  Please Note: DCC Sound Kit requires instillation. Decoder comes pre-programed with sounds and lighting functions    
       

Southern Aurora® Passenger Cars – Prototype Information

In early 1958 an order was placed with Commonwealth Engineering for 10 stainless steel air-conditioned sleeping cars for use on the Brisbane Limited express and between November 1960 and May 1961 these cars entered service.  These cars and the newly allocated RUB sets formed the consist for the Brisbane service, the four rostered sleeping cars being at the Sydney end of the train in both directions.

 

During this time discussions were also taking place to develop specifications for the carriages to be used on the proposed overnight sleeping express between Sydney and Melbourne, the train to enter service following completion of the new standard gauge line in Victoria.  In May 1960 it was announced that Commonwealth Engineering had won the contract to build 34 cars which would provide for two 14 car sets and 6 spare cars. 

 

On Thursday 12/04/62 at a formal dinner to officially launch the new service between Sydney and Melbourne, the name of the train was announced  - Southern Aurora.  Over the weekend the two sets were on display at both Sydney and Melbourne before regular revenue services commenced on Monday 16/04/62.

 

The standard Southern Aurora® set comprised 14 cars – 5 roomette (coded LAN), 4 twinette (NAM), 1 deluxe (DAM) sleeping cars, an RMS dining car, BCS lounge car, MHN brake and PHN power van.  This consist, which had a total weight of 641 tons (655 tonnes), could accommodate 198 passengers.  When introduced the train was rostered to be hauled by two 44 class locomotives in NSW and one S class in Victoria.  As well as a name plate attached to the sides of the Lounge Car, a distinguishing feature of the train was an illuminated Southern Aurora® sign on the trailing end of the set.  The train operated every night from both capital cities and was scheduled to depart at 8pm and arrive the following morning at 9am.

 

Also at this time, the former broad gauge train Spirit of Progress commenced operating on the new standard gauge to provide a second overnight service between the two cities.  During earlier planning for the train’s conversion to standard gauge it was also decided to provide each set with an NAM twinette sleeper and PHN power van and additional cars were ordered from Commonwealth Engineering in December 1960.

 

In February 1969 nine people died when the southbound Southern Aurora® was involved in a head on collision with a goods train just to the south of Violet Town in Victoria.  As a result of the collision seven carriages were destroyed.  To replace the lost cars seven Indian-Pacific type carriages were leased from Commonwealth Railways and Railways of Australia until replacement Southern Aurora® type cars were built by Commonwealth Engineering and delivered by late 1970. 

 

In July 1973 Motorail was introduced on the Southern Aurora®, this service allowing passengers to transport their motor car on a specially provide car carrier wagon attached to the service.  Just prior to departure the car carrier was shunted from the loading point and attached to the front of the train.  To enable the car carrier to be quickly uncoupled from the train following arrival the next morning, the car carrier was shunted to the rear of the train at Albury during the change over of  locomotives at the border station.  With the introduction of Motorail, the illuminated Southern Aurora® sign was no longer used on the train.

 

In August 1981 the first of the new XPT power and sitting cars were handed over to the State Rail Authority and during September they formed a promotional train that toured the state.  Part of this consist included Southern Aurora® brake van MHN 2364 which had been decorated in a similar paint scheme to that of the XPT stock.  Following the promotional tour, the van had the livery removed at it returned to the Southern Aurora® roster.

 

Over the years competition resulted in declining patronage on the overnight trains.  Whilst a standard Southern Aurora® set was 14 cars (plus, after 1973, Motorail wagons) softening demand would often see the set varied between this and 10 cars.  On occasions in the later years, consists down to eight cars were also to be seen.  As a consequence of reduced demand and increasing costs the decision was made to amalgamate the Southern Aurora® and Spirit of Progress services and on Saturday 02/08/86 the final departures of both trains occurred. 

 

On the following night a new service, named the Sydney/Melbourne Express, commenced operation.  With the new service the old Southern Aurora® signs were removed from the Lounge Cars and new name plates fitted, Sydney Express on the east side of the car and Melbourne Express on the west side to coincide with the carriage side on view at the departing terminal.  New graphics and insignias also adorned the Dining car as well as the Lounge Car. 

 

In February 1990 a number of changes were made to New South Wales operated passenger services.  Part of this included withdrawal of the locomotive hauled Brisbane Limited and Pacific Coast Motorail services, replacing them with XPT sets, and the withdrawal of the Motorail service on the Sydney/Melbourne Express.  By March 1990 the 1975/76 built FAM twinette sleeping cars released from the North Coast services replaced the NAM cars on the Sydney/Melbourne Express.  NSW owned sitting cars from the withdrawn consists also commenced to cross over to the Sydney/Melbourne Express, which then enabled the return over time of the former Spirit of Progress sitting cars to the Victorian broad gauge network.     

 

Commencing in the mid 1980s and over an extended period of time discussion took place between both states railway administrations regarding replacement of the locomotive hauled Sydney/Melbourne Express with XPT sets.  After a number of false starts contracts were finally signed for the construction of additional XPT rolling stock, and over the weekend of 20 and 21/11/93 the last Sydney/Melbourne Express and the first XPT services operated.  The withdrawn cars from the locomotive hauled service were then stored and subsequently put up for auction, along with other obsolete passenger stock, in August 1994.


Southern Aurora® Passenger Cars – Prototype Photos

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Artwork & photographs shown for illustration purpose only. Details, body versions, colours, livery, number
fonts & some finer details may differ on the production models. Auscision Models takes care to
reproduce models as accurately as possible and will always refer to the prototype for model accuracy.
 
SOUTHERN AURORA is a registered trademark and the Southern Aurora illuminated signboard script is a trademark
owned by New South Wales Rail Transport Museum and used under licence by Auscision Models Pty Ltd.
 



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