Arriving from UK in 1940, the two A-33 dining cars were numbered 230 (Orange) and 231 (Zambesi). They were steel bodied, fully air conditioned and luxuriously appointed.
Car 230, Orange, along with her kitchen car were taken off Blue Train service and stripped and refurbished for use on the Royal Train of 1947.
Between 1959 they were replaced in Blue Train service by the newer A-37/AA-38 dining and kitchen cars but after a heavy service and refurbishment, they were placed back in Blue Train service in 1962, and continued in service on this train until it was withdrawn in 1972 when the new Blue Train sets came into service. They continued in service with the Drakensberg Express until that service was discontinued in 1985.
There are three versions of this model which can be roughly broken down as follows:
- Early - As built
- Mid - Post 1962 refurbishments, emergency ventilation windows added
- Late - Drakensberg service, inter carriage coms equipment and backlit number boards deleted, Day bogies replaced by Commonwealth 2286 bogies. Concertina vestibule connectors replaced with Gummiwurst
Flush glazing is supplied. The seats are supplied on a separate sprue, enabling the modeller to correctly model unoccupied seats in the upright position. The model also features the unique SARMODEL sprung vestibule walkways
Supplied unpainted, but with a detailed interior with separately applied seats. Bogies, wheels, couplers and screws are included. The model also features accurate underframe equipment and accurate roof vent spacing and arrangement.
