Carriage 20
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
| Carriage 20 | |
 | |
|---|---|
| Currently painted in the 1920's "Colonel Stephens" livery. Photo: Martin Ellis | |
| Built By | Gloster Wagon Company order #282 |
| Seating | First x 12 , Third x 24 |
| Length | 34 ft. 6 in. |
| Width | 6 ft. 0 in. |
| History | |
| Date Built | November 1879 |
| Operating | FR Heritage Fleet |
| Carriages | |
Collectively known as the "Bowsiders" because of the shape of their sides. These coaches were supplied to the Festiniog Railway by two builders in 1876 and 1879.
With wrought iron frames, but not perpetuating the iron body bracing of Nos. 15 & 16, the running gear was provided by Boston Lodge in all cases. Note the easy way to tell these two pairs apart - Nos 17 & 18 have two wide panels on either side of the single first class compartment windows, but 19 & 20 have three wide panels at the sides of two first class compartment windows.
Two further coaches, of similar, though not identical, dimensions and external appearance, came from the Gloster Wagon Company in November 1879, GWC order no. 282. Here again, more improvements and accomodation alterations were carried out; one 2nd class was derated to 3rd before 1887. With the exception of No. 19, partitions in all coaches (where existing between 3rd class compartments) were taken out. Detail variations may be discerned in many points, including the existence of window bars, ventilators and panelling. Variations in class are reflected by changes in door width and compartment bulkheads, and panels dividing windows. Present seating arrangement 3/3/1/1/3/3; formerly 44, now 36 passengers.
On these carriages, the bodies were mounted on indiarubber blocks and stood one inch above the underframes.
Spooner's Patent buffers were initially fitted; the timber used was teak and deal. Luxury was lavished in First class with an oil-cloth floor covering and carpetting; a time-table and vanity mirrors were displayed in mahogany frames above the seats. The 2nds had stuffed horse-hair seats covered by 'dark repp'. (Ref.: The Engineer.)
The internal lighting arrangments also varied a great deal between the 4 carriages dependng on the compartment arrangement.
Dimensions are Length: 34'6", Width: 6' and Height:7'8".
*Date: 4th September 1991 *Photo: Stewart Macfarlane
*Date: Unknown *Photo: Martin Ellis