Carriage 14

From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group


Carriage 14
Currently carrying a variation of the standard maroon and cream livery Photo: Martin Ellis
Built By	Bristol Wagon & Carriage Works
Designation	Third / Buffet
History
Date Built	1897
Operating	FR
Carriages

1 Origins
2 To Porthmadog
3 See also

[edit]Origins

Built in 1897 by Bristol Wagon & Carriage Works for the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway in Devon. It was originally constructed as a passenger brake vehicle with 3rd class accomodation and carried the number 15. In the 1923 Grouping, the L&B became part of the Southern Railway and the coach was renumbered 6993. The Lynton and Barnstaple was closed in 1935 and the coach survived in private use at Snapper Halt.

Another similar carriage, in an as recovered state, is resident at the National Rail Museum at York
*Date Sunday 30th September 2007 *Photo: Keith C. Bradbury

Of the 15 other coaches built for the L&B by BWCW, No 2 (composite brake with observation saloon) survives unrestored at the National Railway Museum at York, and the body of another - third class observation no 7 - is in North Devon, has been restored and is awaiting fitting of replacement underframe and bogies.

[edit]To Porthmadog

In 1959 it was purchased for the Festiniog Railway and taken to Boston Lodge for restoration. Completely rebuilt as a Buffet Car and given the number 14, the coach entered service in 1963. The rescue of the coach from Devon in 1959 was became to be known as Operation Snapper.

At some point in time, it was proposed to renumber it as Carriage 102

Carriage 14
Harbour station Date 29th August 1963 Photo: Geoff Plumb Ref 327	Same position 1964. Date 1964 Photo: Roy Stevens

The Snapper Bar name was applied during the 1960's and 70's. It was photographed at Porthmadog bearing the name The Snapper Bar.

During the period when Buffet Cars carried names, Carriage 14 was named William Madocks.

No. 14 was larger than any previous FR carriages, but had to be cut down somewhat to fit the loading gauge. This advantage led to new carriages (10x-series) having their design based on the dimensions of No. 14. They became known as Barns after No. 14's origins (the Lynton and BARNStaple Railway).