Carriage 1
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
| Carriage 1 | |
 | |
|---|---|
| Martin Ellis | |
| Built By | FR Co. |
| Frames | Steel |
| Designation | Observation Saloon |
| Seating | Knifeboard 2 X 7 x 3rd |
| Length | 10ft 3ins |
| Body Width | 6ft 8ins |
| History | |
| Date Built | 1994-7 |
| Operating | Heritage Fleet |
| Carriages | |
Contents |
[edit]NOTE
Due to various renumberings, there have been a number of "vehicles" known as Carriage, Coach, or Van No. 1 on both the FR and the WHR. This article deals with the one carrying the title currently within the FR main passenger fleet.
[edit]Background
This vehicle was formerly Carriage 9 for a short time.
In 1992 It was announced the intention to build a "new" 4-wheeler using a few small original parts; it was built at Boston Lodge between 1994 and 1997 as a replica of a Birmingham knifeboard "observation car" and was originally Carriage 9. It seats 14, seven on each side of the knifeboard seat. It is described as a rebuild because it incorporates many of the specifically "observation car" features which were carefully removed during the restoration of Carriage 6 (now Carriage 2). (The decorative curved upper corner moldings are from the original.)
The coach has been fitted with continuous vacuum brake, to provide additional braking on vintage trains, and also to enable four wheel coaches conveniently to travel, when required, in the traditional position next to the engine on an up train. The intention from around 1996 was to renumber it as Carriage 1, an identity it received on its repaint in 1999.
It is known on the railway as The Zoo Car because of its cage like appearance. The carriage is finished in the Colonel Stephens Livery for use in The 1930's Train.
*Date: Unknown *Photo:Martin Ellis
*Date Unknown *Photo:Martin Ellis
Visited the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) for the 2005 Superpower event with Prince and Van 2. However reaching Rhyd Ddu only once on Friday 16 September 2005.