Carriage 103
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
| Carriage 103 | |
 | |
|---|---|
| Exterior view at Harbour Station Martin Ellis | |
| Built By | FR Co. |
| Frames | Steel |
| Designation | 3rd Saloon / Kitchen |
| Seating | 17 x 3rd |
| Length | 37ft 5ins |
| History | |
| Date Built | 1968 |
| Operating | Withdrawn |
| Carriages | |
Contents |
[edit]Initial Construction
In the 1960's the Festiniog Railway began construction of a series of modern wooden bodied coaches at Boston Lodge. The profile was based on that of the restored former Lynton and Barnstaple Carriage 14. As a result these coaches are known on the railway as "The Barns".
During the period of operation when the line terminated at Dduallt a hatch on the the carriage side opened to enable passengers on the platform to be served with refreshments.
During a spell where the buffet cars were named, this vehicle carried the name Charles Spooner.
[edit]Early 1990s Rebuild
In the early 1990's Carriage 103 was rebuilt recieving aluminium clad sides giving a smooth surface. New opening (droplight) windows were also fitted in place of the previously fitted barn-style opening windows.
[edit]Withdrawal as a Buffet Car 2006
Buffet Car 103 was withdrawn on the 3rd of November 2006, having made its last run the previous day, bringing to an end 38 years of service during which time it covered over 534,000 miles. The bogies will be recovered for use under the new carriage 100.
On 7 November 2006, the Control Office published the following statistics about 103 as a Buffet Car.
- Buffet Carr 103 entered service in 1968 and was withdrawn in 2006.
- In 2006 it completed 10,791 miles on the Ffestiniog Railway, which equates to 398 return trips to Blaenau.
- Over the years it has completed 524,233 passenger miles (which gets you to the moon and most of the way back!).
- That's the equivalent of 19,416 return trips to Blaenau.
- There were 17 seats in car 103, which means over its lifetime it could have carried up to 30,800 passengers.
- The most mileage in one year was in 1979, where it ran 17,525 miles just going to Tanygrisiau and back.
- The least mileage in one year was in 2001 where it only managed 7,462 miles.
A selection of photos of Carriage 103 on its final scheduled train and some of its interior can be found here
[edit]The Rebuild
The carriage is due to be rebuilt as an "All 3rd" barn, similar to Carriage 107, but without the central first class compartment.