The South Australian Railways allocated three carriages for use as the Commissioner's Train for inspection tours by senior officers. Cars Flinders, Sturt and Light comprised this train.
Flinders was built in 1909 at Islington works as carriage 167, a standard Short Tom, with second class seating.
Sturt was built in 1909 at Islington works as carriage 169, a standard Short Tom, with first and second class seating.
Light was built in 1909 at Islington works as carriage 170, a standard Short Tom, with first and second class seating.
In 1929-1930, these cars were converted for use on the Commissioner's train. All had the longitudinal seating removed, and were assigned to different functions.
Car 167 was rebuilt as an Officer's Inspection car with a single bed sleeping compartment installed, complete with en suite and (cold) shower. Due to the width restrictions of the car, the bed was placed running along the carriage instead of the more usual format across the carriage. The end walls of the car were replaced with full height observation windows and large seats were installed to allow comfortable viewing of the receding track. The car was named Flinders in honour of the early Australian explorer, Matthew Flinders. Flinders is still in that configuration and is available for private hire. It has seen use for both dignitaries visiting the railway, and for personal events such as birthdays and family occasions.
Car 169 was converted to an Officer's Sleeping car with 8 berths, and named Sturt (after Charles Sturt, another early Australian explorer). Pichi Richi Railway has converted this car back to sitting accommodation for passengers.
Car 170 was converted to a kitchen/dining car, and named Light (after the Colonel William Light , former Surveyor General of South Australia, who planned the city of Adelaide).
These carriages are all in the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society's collection, and Sturt and Flinders see regular use on the Pichi Richi Explorer service.
From 2026, these vehicles will be used as the SAR Commissioner's Train and available for regular services and private hire.
