Gopher Models N NSW HUB 117 1st Class Car Indian Red Single Carriage

NSWGR HUB Additional Passenger Car

The HUB cars came about with the extension of the contract for the N cars introduced in 1939 as non airconditioned passenger stock. In 1943 a variation of the contract was let for 4 sets of passenger cars to be airconditioned. The HUB sets comprised of 4 sets 116, 117, 118 and 119 with the first set entering service on the 30th April 1948. Each set comprised of 7 cars HFH, RFH, BH, BH, RBH, FH and PFH with car 1 HFH at the Sydney end. The toilet windows were always on the same side of the train except for the HFH. The sets were sometimes reduced in size to suit the required number of passengers booked with 5 and 6 car consists common particularly during winter. The HUBs were particularly associated with the Newcastle Express, but were Cessnock Express, regulars on the Central West Express 1958 onwards, Riverina Express on alternate days to the RUB set, the South Coast Daylight Express (till 1958) and the Southern Highlands Express. They were also frequently used on tour trains.