Argus newspaper WW2 collection

[Tony Smith]

Love this pic.

For those who don't know, the "Spirit of Progress" was an express train introduced by the Victorian Railways in the 1930's. With a streamlined locomotive and luxurious airconditioned carriages, it was the premier train in Australia at the time and promised a fast, glamorous and exciting future in all things travel.

In the typical Australian fashion, any train that WAS NOT that, such as the local ancient branchline services, got the affectionate (or derogatory) name of the "Spirit of Protest".

To see this truck chalked up as the Spirit of Protest, Old Faithful, and "Wind here, insert key" indicates a special love/hate relationship with the crew of this truck.