Sitting in storage in a train yard in North Eveleigh is a piece of royal history that was almost lost.

Last week when 7NEWS aired historic footage of the Queen stepping off at Martin Place railway station a keen eye working in the railways noticed the number on the carriage, T4150, and tracked it down. Now, it will be saved as a national treasure.

Queen Elizabeth II travelled on an S-set carriage from Bankstown to Martin Place during a Royal Tour in 1980. The carriage continued in service carrying unsuspecting commuters until 2012. The Queen’s visit to Bankstown in May 1980 was part of a 5-day tour that saw her visit Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

Queen Elizabeth II flew to Australia on a Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707, with one hour stopovers in Bahrain and Singapore.

Her husband, The Duke of Edinburgh, flew into Canberra from San Francisco on Qantas flight QF4 to reunite for the short royal tour.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were based at Government House for their tour and flew from the RAAF Base at Fairbairn on a RAAF Hawker Siddeley HS748 aircraft to Bankstown.

The royals were met at Bankstown Airport by the Governor of New South Wales Roden Cutler and his wife Lady Cutler, NSW Premier Neville Wran and his wife Jill.

On the day, 7NEWS reported that thousands of people lined the route from Bankstown Airport to Fetherstone Street, and around to the Civic Centre.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were welcomed by Bankstown Mayor Ray McCormack and signed the Bankstown visitor’s book, spending 25 minutes in the town centre.

“This is the first opportunity we have had of visiting Bankstown – an occasion we will long remember,” said Queen Elizabeth.

“In the 26 years I have been coming to Sydney, the centre of population has shifted from central Sydney to the Western Suburbs and Bankstown and surrounding areas now have a population of one million. You are rightly proud, Mr Mayor, of what has been achieved in Bankstown and the progressive role of the municipality in local administration. It was no surprise, therefore, to find that Bankstown has been incorporated into a city and I warmly congratulate you…on the important part you play in the metropolis of Sydney and indeed, in the state of NSW.”
The Queen and Duke caught the train from Bankstown to Martin Place - a trip that took 30 minutes on an S-set (T4150). After walking 200 metres from Martin Place railway station to Pitt Street, the royals ate lunch at New South Wales’ Government House.

Before leaving for Canberra, the Queen and Duke attended a Royal Charity Concert at the Sydney Opera House.

The royal tour of Australia concluded in Melbourne a day later. Queen Elizabeth flew back to London, the Duke flew back to the United States where he rejoined Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died this month, she was aged 96.

More Video:    • Queen Elizabeth visited Bankstown and...  

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